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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  Second Review - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By brian_h - November 11 - 8:54 am

  I posted in November 2012 short after I bought my car. It has performed well w/ mileage averaging around 38-40 mpg with currently 50k on the car and I drive 110 miles/day battling a 2000 foot elevation change into the Wyoming wind in one of those directions. Still really like and enjoy this car. There remain a few electronic issues that are dismaying but I will not let them dampen my enjoyment of this car. The only part I have had to have replaced is the heat/AC blower due to freezing up in some subzero weather.

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  Great solid car! - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ben - November 10 - 3:28 pm

  Very well solid built car tight steering doesnt shake at all at high speeds just a solid built german car what I expected

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  GREAT CAR!!!! - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By EL TEMPLO - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Owned a BMW 3-series for 2 yrs before this car which pales in comparison to my r32!. Great handling, very aggressive, and has loads of aftermarket potential. Unlike its competitors (Evo, Sti - The Evo MR does not even have ABS! Commuting kills Evos, Sti better for track) it has lots of comfort, luxury and greater power potential with the 6 cyl engine. The alloy rims, konig heated seats, awd, sunroof, and 6-speed tranny are all standard features. The fit and finish are top notch and feels like a 25-30K car. Theres more to driving than 0-60 in a straight-line. If you appreciate comfort and luxury with amped performance, check out the r32 (compare it to is300, 3-series, TSX, c-class).

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  Best SUV - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By hwb - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I have owned many cars and suvs (mercedes, porsche, range rover, bmw,lexus,etc.) It takes a lot in a car to impress me and I can say that this is the most impressive SUV and one of the most impressive vehicles I have ever owned. The build quality and performance are great. It is a vehicle that may not have the eminence of a range rover, but the range rover wishes it could perform all around as well as this vehicle does. Yes there are a few flaws: like no third row and the smelly messy diesel pumps. This is by far one of the best if not the best suv on the planet. you get all of this with an average fuel economy of 22mpg. VW did their homework.

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  A New Diesel Convert! - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bill D. in L.A. - November 9 - 7:20 pm

  Looking for a combination of good gas mileage, sportiness and quality is not easy. However, the Jetta TDI hits on all 3! I love this car. 33 MPG in L.A. traffic and downtown and over 40 MPG on the freeway, all with a brand new engine. The TDI really makes me enjoy driving again. The suspension is a bit bit stiff and the steering is very responsive. The interior finish is equivalent to a much more expensive car. Love the new white and red dash instrument lights. The neon blue in older VWs can lead to vertigo (kidding). The folks at VW have hit a home run with this car. Bought through the the AAA program. Great price and dealers will still negotiate too.

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  I chose an 06 Jetta TDI over the Cadillac CTS - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Billin NC - November 9 - 5:46 pm

  My 04 Cadillac CTS was totaled and I chose the Jetta TDI over another CTS. The current model is as large as the 05 Passat. It has plenty of interior room. The trunk is very large and the rear seats fold down. There are many standard features on this car that you would normally have to pay extra for on other cars. The interior materials are of high quality. The diesel engine is relatively quiet. The seats are comfortable with plenty of adjustments. I have Pkg. 1 with the steptronic transmission (very smooth) and leatherette seats which I prefer for carrying dogs. Its handling is very good and it cruises like a dream at 75-80 mph. My first tank of diesel averaged 41 mpg with a 50/50 mix of driving. This is a great car!

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  excellent car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By refki - November 9 - 5:23 am

  I have this car for almost a year,Ive never have any problem. VW is the one I love, and this one is the best.I had three more VW before and definitely love them.

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  Finally A Car I Love - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JLA - November 9 - 1:53 am

  Just picked up my Jetta TDI Sportswagon last week and so far Im loving it. Fun to drive, handles great, the turbo is a real kick. Perfect size after driving mini-vans for the last 19 years. Plenty of cargo area in the back, seats are comfortable. A/C works great and cools down the car within a couple of minutes. So far Im still on my first tank of gas but at 175 miles Ive only used a quarter of a tank of gas. Nice to finally have a car I look forward to driving.

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  Im VERY satisfied - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Raymond - November 8 - 6:03 am

  I have been averaging 41 mpg! The car has plenty of power and hugs the road very well. My only real complaint is that the sun visors do not have retractable extenders. When they are pulled over to protect against sunlight coming from the side, they can be very ineffective. We were also told that we did not have the option to purchase programmable buttons for our garage door opener with our model (GL). Since there is also no place to put a handheld door opener, we find this very disappointing.

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  Fun to Drive - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Fun to Drive - November 7 - 10:40 pm

  What a great car. Great fuel economy, comfortable for the driver and her dog. Great leg and head room, sun roof adds extra light, and great visibility. A couple of squeaks in the dash, but that is to be expected from a (my 3rd) VW. For the price, warranty, the standard extras, and fun...you cant go wrong with this car.