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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  VW, where have you been all my life? - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By PiggyBaby - September 14 - 2:50 pm

  Bought my Jetta Wolfsburg in July 08 and have put over 1,500 miles on it. I must say, this is absolutely the funnest car Ive ever owned - 6 in the last 10 years. Aside from the 02 BMW 330Ci, all my other purchases have been Japanese made. Looking back, I wish Id only discovered VWs earlier. The handling and performance of my Jetta Wolfsburg reminds me very much of that BMW 330Ci I once owned, but at less than HALF the price of the Beemer. The Jetta is truly the best VALUE; Ive never been so satisfied. Im getting much more for the price I paid. This car really shines on the highways, as the power and acceleration of the turbo-charged engine is very responsive. Love this car!

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  My Fast - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By rj - September 14 - 1:46 pm

  The GTI is a great car all around. It has the best transmission ever, DSG, its like a ferrari. It is solid at high speeds, has great brakes, and has plenty of room. This car is a real winner! The GTI is back!

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  Awesome - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By PJ Klunk - September 14 - 10:00 am

  A fun vehicle to drive

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  love my car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By med9h - September 14 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. It was the only car I could find with all the features I wanted for the price I was willing to pay.

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  Poor mans Mercedes! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By KevinLBailey - September 14 - 10:00 am

  This has to be the best car Ive ever owned. Its fun to drive and handles very good. Of coarse, I opted for the 17" low profile tires with the sport suspension! And its a very safe car! 5 out of 5 Stars. Only thing, interior lights burnt out within first year! Other then that, great car.

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  MOST AWESOME SUV EVER OWNED - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By VW4EVER - September 14 - 10:00 am

  A TRUE JOY TO DRIVE. MY WIFE AND I WERE LOOKING AT THE BMW AND MERCEDES AND DECIDED TO DRIVE THE TOUAREG FIRST AND WE ARE GLAD. IT OUTPERFOMS OUR CURRENT ML AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY. BEST SUV WE HAVE EVER OWNED AND THIS IS #6. VW HIT A HOMERUN WITH THIS VEHICLE....

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  2004 Touareg V8 - With Premium Plus Pkg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Happy Owner in IL - September 14 - 10:00 am

  Based on 3 wk ownership. Driven Volvo, BMW, Mercedes, Acura, & Lexus, and this auto surpasses them all. Most impressive styling and ride. Quiet & funct. cabin. Well appointed interior & user friendly nav sys w/detailed mapping. Given wt of the vehicle, acceleration impressive & smooth. Optional continuous dampening control system works in conj w/ 4 corner adj air susp to give this SUV very impressive cornering. Long list of standard features & w/ PP Pkg. Would strongly suggest you look at this vehicle before you purchase from the competiton. Glad glad I did. Pricing in line with the others. IS a SERIOUS contender in the LUXURY SUV cat.

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  What a Surprize! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Moab - September 14 - 10:00 am

  I compared the New Beetle TDI with the Mini Cooper. The Beetle won out as to ride, handling, and economy. The panel instrumentation was also better. What won us over was the ease of getting the Beetle it serviced. The dealer also gave a deal on oil changes that was less than Jiffy Lube quoted for 100K miles. I wish the low fuel light didnt come on with 125 miles left on the tank empty.

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  i love this minivan since i buy it - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Deisi Morales - September 13 - 8:24 pm

  i love my minivan great space nice to ride so far i dont have no mechanical problems but i have a recall about the ignition switch since then twice a week every time wen i start the van all the dash board lights go off like crazy i have to turn it off get the key out open the door and keep trying until it works fine other than that its a good vehicle

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  Tall peoples little car - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By veedubbahjoo - September 12 - 3:23 pm

  I sat in a GTI as a joke while waiting for a sales rep to get back to me. I then test drove it since at 6 ft 8 I didnt fit in the other cars I wanted to test drive. Its roomy for me. It is way fast for its size. It does 0 to 60 in 6.5 secs. All of its amenties are convenient. It is very easy to park. The GTI is well designed and communication with the road is excellent.