Overview & Reviews

Volkswagen is an automaker based in Germany. Its products typically command a higher price than those of competing models, but the return is a more upscale driving and ownership experience.

In 1934, Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to build a small, inexpensive car at the request of Adolph Hitler. His answer -- a beetle-shaped sedan that was called a Volkswagen (German for "people's car") -- debuted two years later. Hitler had a town built near the plant for factory workers; he named it Kraft durch Freude Stadt (derived from the Nazi party's motto, "Joy through Strength"), and soon decided that Porsche's creation should be named the KdF-wagen (short for the "Joy through Strength" car). This upset Porsche, who was not political.

World War II delayed production of the vehicle; the factory suffered extensive damage during combat, and was ultimately taken over by the British Army. The company was renamed Volkswagen, and the town at the factory was renamed Wolfsburg (after Werner von Schulenberg of Wolfsburg, who had been forced to surrender his land for the construction of the town and factory). By the end of the 1940s, mass production of the Volkswagen Beetle had begun. The model made its first appearance on U.S. shores in 1949.

The 1950s saw Volkswagen broadening its product range, adding the Bus (Type 2) to its lineup. The Bus, especially, proved quite popular due to its versatility. And the Beetle, which went on to become the best-selling car of all time, quickly showed signs of being an enduring favorite, with more than 1 million models produced at the Wolfsburg factory by 1955. This decade also saw the debut of the Karmann Ghia sports car, which featured a sleek, Italian-designed two-seater body atop a Beetle platform.

Volkswagen's star rose during the 1960s, its success fueled largely by the breakout success of the Beetle. The car benefited from an effective advertising campaign and from an appearance in a popular Disney movie. By the close of the decade, Volkswagen's yearly output of Beetles topped the 1 million mark.

In 1972, with more than 15 million units assembled, the Beetle topped the world production record set by Ford's Model T. Mid-decade saw the launch of a new era of Volkswagens that had front-mounted, water-cooled engines driving the front wheels. The Passat (Dasher in the U.S.) was the first of the new breed and was built using standardized components that could be used interchangeably among other models in the manufacturer's lineup. The Passat was soon joined by the Golf (Rabbit in the U.S.), which met with immediate success. By the end of the decade, the manufacturer's lineup had grown to include the Scirocco sport coupe and the performance-oriented Golf/Rabbit GTI. The Beetle, however, was discontinued for the U.S. market.

The Golf grew in popularity during the '80s, becoming Volkswagen's most popular model. When a second generation of the car was built in 1983, it was crafted in a mostly automated process using robots -- marking the first time robots had been used in vehicle manufacture. By the mid-'80s, the U.S. version traded the Rabbit name for "Golf." The higher-performance Golf GTI helped the manufacturer make waves on the rally circuit. In 1986, Volkswagen Motorsport nabbed the title of Group A World Rally Champions.

Volkswagen saw its sales in the North American market tumble during the early '90s, but by the end of the decade, refocused marketing efforts and an increased emphasis on new products had brought about a turnaround in the company's fortunes. The popular New Beetle helped put the company back on the radar in the United States (though it fared less successfully in European markets). The body style was based on the classic Beetle, and it struck a chord with consumers who still had a place in their hearts for the iconic, cheerful-looking "love bug."

The new millennium saw Volkswagen moving into the luxury segment with the launch of the pricey Phaeton sedan and Touareg SUV. Though well-designed and executed, the Phaeton was a disappointment sales-wise, perhaps signaling unwillingness on the part of consumers to shell out premium dollars for a brand that lacks the cachet of established upscale names like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Luckily, Volkswagen has seen success with other vehicles in its lineup, which currently includes everything from family-oriented sedans to roomy SUVs. Today, the automaker enjoys a reputation for crafting vehicles that offer refined handling and upscale accommodations.

User Reviews:

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  I will likely kick myself for selling it - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JenJen - November 20 - 6:10 am

  I bought my 06 TDI right off the truck in Dallas in 05. The cars were really hard to get at the time, but I didnt mind going from OKC to Dallas to pick it up. This car was excellent! It had a "cockpit" like an Audi, was a package 2, so it had nearly EVERYTHING VW had to offer - heated leather seats, memory seats, Sirius sat. radio, HUGE trunk, DSG/Tiptronic transmission, power everything (virtually). Fuel economy was not AS good as what I have heard from others, but I was still "breaking" in the engine. Economy steadily increased from 37 mpg to about 42 mpg by the time I traded it in for an 05 Jetta TDI GLS to keep the fuel economy.

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  A great car! - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By jlb - November 20 - 5:46 am

  I agree with other owners: this car is really, really fun, and the hardtop convertible is just great. I learned to drive in Italy, and you can really throw this car around corners. My only regret is that I didnt get a stick. For an automatic, the DSG gearbox is good, but I tried a friends Audi with the same 2.0 Turbo and a stick, and -- well, the stick is just more fun.

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  Diesel & VW Newbie Loves TDI Sportwagen - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Goldilocks - November 19 - 5:10 pm

  Im a 40 yr old professional working mom with two young kids and a long commute. Id never owned a VW or diesel before buying the TDI Sportwagen (Blue Graphite and beige interior) about 2 weeks/800 miles ago. This car is an excellent value and does so many things well. Performance, comfort, functionality, overall good looks without being too flashy, and MPG are all terrific. So far Im averaging 42 MPG and thats in some stop-and-go traffic. Getting 600 miles per 14.5 gallon tank is both a money- saver and convenient. And its a blast to drive. I expect to be driving this car a long time and told my 6 yr old that if he treats the car right, hell be driving it when he turns 16!

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  midsize for $25000 - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By fullboat - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and performance of this car.

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  B6 better than a B5? You bet! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By DC - November 18 - 10:53 pm

  Knowing about front end geometry I am amazed that the new Passat handles better than the previous model but it does. The new 2.0T is a perfect engine, plenty of power, quiet and great economy. Im getting 28 MPG and Im sure I can get more, its just too much fun to push that throttle. This Passat is quiet rides well and the driving experience is a hoot! If you are looking for a sedan that will carry you family and friends but, you still want some fun the Passat is a must see.

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  So far so good! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By aj - November 18 - 10:06 pm

  I just got my Jetta recently and so far things are great! The only thing I wonder about is whether the sort of clicking sound as I accelerate is normal.... It isnt a bad sound necessarily, but I notice it. The interior is wonderful except for the non-existant center console. Otherwise, I love it!!! : )

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  Great car! - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ducvw2004 - November 17 - 1:33 pm

  This is not my first VW, let alone my first Jetta. Ive owned 7 VWs previously. As always, the quality is very good for the price, and the TDI diesel engine is phenomenal on fuel mileage. On a recent 100 mile round trip on secondary (2-lane) country roads, we averaged about 42mpg with the AC on. Very nice! By far one of the better cars Ive owned...and my other car is a 2008 Corvette that cost $63,000 new, so am a bit picky! And, contrary to popular belief, Low Sulfur Diesel is available everywhere. I live in a small town and within 10 miles there are 6 gas stations, four of which offer the proper diesel, the other two I didnt even bother to check.

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  Great choice - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By juvy2 - November 15 - 7:57 pm

  My 2012 Jetta is by far the best car I have ever had! Great gas mileage, fun to drive and extremely comfortable seats

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  BEST CAR WE EVER HAD - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By BILL MARTIN - November 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best vehicle we have ever had. The interior is functional and beautiful. the sound systen is concert-like. I dont know what else to say except sorry Lexus,watch out for this company.

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  Nice little car - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dizakaz - November 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun. I have owned approx. 12 cars and this one rates in the top 5. The only thing I dont like is that the low end power is non existant. But it cruses great. The only other thing is that this car could be a two seater, no room in the rear.