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 hits a home run - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By J D Sharp - September 12 - 5:16 am

  This replaced a 3.2 Audi TT quattro. Same basic running gear, but it has all been so much more refined. DSG no longer grabs as if youd popped the clutch when you tip in too quickly. Power is seemingly endless and always on tap. DSG continues to be the miracle transmission; no regrets and no need for manual even though I have driven shift for years. The dividing line between Audi and VW is fluff, things like, tipping-down mirrors, homelink and such, luxury features. This car is more elemental and more to my liking because of it. Just completed a 2K roadtrip and have no complaints!

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  So far so good - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jettan - September 11 - 3:00 pm

  I bought a 2010 Jetta S about a month ago and I enjoy driving so far. Driving is not as smooth as 2010 Camry but I prefer this design to Toyota or Honda cars. The car is also slim, which makes it easy to park in my narrow garage. The car has a weight to it which I like. Even the doors and trunk are heavier than Toyota cars, which makes it safer. Overall, it is a very safe and fun car. I wish I had gotten SE instead of S. S has cloth seats and I prefer leatherlike seats and an upgraded interior touch screen.

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  in love with my Beetle - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By birulo - September 10 - 3:42 am

  Bought this car new from the dealer and its given me a couple of problems but overall I dont regret the purchase. Its sole appearance makes me happy every time I look at it. I seriously love my car. My only complain is that the parts, oil changes and even the coolant are very expensive. To be objective, I have to mention that entering its 4th year (2011), little things here and there started to break down, for example the interior roof liner is coming loose on the edges, antenna broke when covered the car with an ordinary car cover and one of the windshield washers seems to be clogged. My compressor died this year too ($2000)... and the battery and the headlights but thats to be expected

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  excellent deal - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By julianef - September 8 - 10:00 am

  This car has the right blend of practicality and performance. Wanted a car that will make my daily commute fun and confortable and so far has delivered all that flawlessly. Surely a BMW would be better but costs 10-15 grand more. While japanese cars have their own advantages, VW is more refined, and, if looking at quality/price ratio, VW tops its competition. I hope that VW is working to bring up the plants in Brazil and Mexico to its German counterparts standards as the quality issues still affect Golfs and especially Jettas available in America.

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  Still Runs Like New After 75,000 miles - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By honorb112 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  This car has run great since the day I bought it. Only one trip to the service center for a faulty sensor. I would highly recommend the VR6. Fast and Fun.

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  Better than my BMW 325 - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By mrlutgen - September 6 - 9:03 pm

  I bought my wife a 2005 Passat. I like it so much that I am trading in my BMW for an 06 Passat. This car has all the same quality and handling of any other German car but the price is much more reasonable.

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  very sporty car - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Big O - September 6 - 10:00 am

  I traded my Audi A4 in last week for the CC and im glad i did , i love this car , i love the way it had handles on the the hwy and the surface street. I owned a VW Jetta a few years ago, but volkswagen really stepped it up when they brought out the CC. i love the Bluetooth and touch screen radio.

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  So Far So Good - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Si - September 6 - 8:43 am

  We bought one of the first New Jettas in 2005 after considering Toyota and Honda, but the interior of the Jetta was far superior. So far the only trouble weve had was a cooling fan that would not stop running and was replaced by the dealer under warranty. There was one surprise: the rear brake pads needed to be replaced at 18,000 miles while the front brake pads looked like new. Beware of the state troopers - the car really comes alive once you pass 80 mph!

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  Why Buy a Hybrid, When... - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By j - September 6 - 6:56 am

  VW has the answer already. Its the TDI diesel. Man, this engine is great. It is low on power in the specs, but it feels much better with the torque from the turbo diesel. Its fuel mileage is incredible. The EPA estimates are way off. I can get in the 50s on highway driving, and in city stop and go I am getting at 38-42 mpg on avg. tThis is the best car for the money out there hands down. Since BMW wont bring over their diesel version to the USA. Until then its VW.

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  Very Pleased Passat Owner - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Michael Farrell - September 5 - 4:10 pm

  I just completed a 600 mi. round trip to Crested Butte from Albuquerque in the new family wagon, including interstates, mountain passes, 2 lane roads, muddy dirt roads and even a few inches of snow. The 07 Passat Wagon was an all around pleasure for either driver or passenger. The ride is very comfortable, handling excellent with plenty of power (for me) on acceleration and the highways and hills. Excellent gas mileage as well; nearly 33 mpg highway. I opted for package #2, 17" wheels and Dynaudio. Wow -- the Dynaudio is well worth the $$$! After 6 months of ownership I have neglible complaints about the vehicle. A little higher sticker, but a fine step up from our 05 Passat Sedan.