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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  Turbo S - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By wkuhl - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Great fun to drive. Roomy in front seat. Turbo S interior styling is great.

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  2004 Passat 1.8T GLS - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By J. Ritter - March 9 - 11:20 pm

  For less than $23000 excellent built quality, great looking, superb interior materials. perfectly ballanced ride comfortable but with little body role, outstanding safety features (active restrain seat belts, side and head curtain airbags, esp), excellent performance considering the 1.8T economy engine giving highway milage of 32+ and suburban mileage of 26+. This is the best car I have owned so far. In my opinion the best value among wagons and family cars seating 5 currently available

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  After 50,000 Miles. - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Mountain Driver - March 9 - 11:10 pm

  I have now driven my V6 Touareg 55,000 miles. I have two complaints, it is a gas guzzler and it lack of power. At 5,000 lbs. plus, I dont know what they were thinking when they put in a V6. Other than that, it has been an awesome vehicle. To date it has only needed one set of spark plugs and oil and filter have been the only maintenance. Winter driving is sheer fun up here in the Laurentian Mountains. this is a poor mans Porsche Cayenne or Audi Q7.

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  A nice Ride - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Jerry - March 9 - 11:13 am

  This vehicle rides a lot better than the 61 bus we had in San Francisco. We feel we are back to our roots. We owned a couple of Caravans and I know this is mostly a Chrysler car but the addition of European technology gives it an added plus. Do miss the Stow--go however. We went into get a light bulb for my wifes Jetta and left with the 09 Routan. My son loves the second row seat heaters and the entertainment system. The seats are more comfortable than the Caravan and it rides quieter. Mileage is ok, good on a trip, not so good in town. We took one Caravan to 197,000 miles. Hope to do the same with the Routan.

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  Fun to drive GLX vr6 - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ssvk - March 9 - 10:00 am

  From the time i have owned this car, i have enjoyed driving it. It begs you to drive, push harder on the corners, it handles great. The engine is very peppy and responsive. All in all, its a very fun car, no major problems.

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  best car - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By meagan - March 9 - 10:00 am

  get it youl like it

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  Good, But ! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By chigue - March 9 - 10:00 am

  My second GLX Wagon . Had an 01 to trade in at 24000 miles. Overall I like the styling better on the 03, wish they had avoided the chrome trim tacked on over and in the car, that in my opinion cheapens the look esp on the dash. The wheels are easier to clean at least. Its a nice car to drive with a good solid feel to it. Needs more power though especially considering the poor fuel economy. Which is the worst thing about this car .It has terrible fuel economy considerably worse than my 01 which in itself was alot worse than my prior car a Saab 9000. I feel a car this expensive and of this quality should have decent fuel economy. It does not!

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  So far, so good! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vwdoc - March 9 - 10:00 am

  just got this a week ago, and absolutely loving it. previous owner of a 1992 saab. i just feel gorgeous driving it! my complaints? the cupholder is right above the radio, which freaks me out. theres not enough storage room in the front/sides...frustrating. cant see behind my right shoulder -- big blind spot, headrest for driver is awkward?, car dosnt "roll" automatically on "D" (i think this is a safety feature, but i just need to get used to it), the cloth interior looks like itll be tough to clean.

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  Great Retro Car - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By DrGarfield - March 9 - 10:00 am

  The big (+) here is the TDI Diesel. I just finished a trip through the NC mountains and this car handled almost as good as my A4 Audi Quatro. The torque is amazing, pulling four adults up 15% grades in 4th gear at 60 mph is nothing to laugh at. This car is well balanced and the rear wheels stay right behind you where they belong. The car is solid and well built. Its a VW Beetle and should last for years.

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  Chrome Oxidizing All Over Body - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Debra - March 8 - 2:50 am

  Volkswagen is using junk chrome on its exterior. The chrome all over my car began to oxidize at about 5,000 miles. Dealer said that they had never heard of this problem, although VW had developed a special creme to buff out this problem theyve never heard about. Buffed once, reoxidized, regional manager is telling me I have to take off work to have it buffed out again. Why? Just replace the faulty chrome. Shame on you, Volkswagen! I love the car otherwise, but I am souring on the company after what Ive been through. Initially, they were not willing to do anything. Too bad, so sad. Disappointing gas milage. You can do better, VW...