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:

• 

  The car to have! - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By J. Salcedo - September 5 - 1:26 pm

  I have the SE level with the sunroof. There is no words to describe how fun to drive this car can be. The quality of materials is obvious along with the beauty of designs. Pick up is amazing and smooth and the suspension is the perfect combination between sport and sedan. Not only were the dealers at VW ready to deal, the financing was great. I get compliments on this car all the time, people stare at it on the road too. I am very happy I purchased a car that is not ubiquitous and that allows me the freedom to enjoy rides with the sunroof fully open.

• 

  What a Change from My 05 Cadillac STS! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rick Williams - September 3 - 5:50 am

  Bought this car in PA and drove it home to SC. I took secondary roads all the way home to make sure it got broken in properly and I still got 43 MPG. I am very happy with the comfort, fit and finish, and fuel economy and I love the DSG. I can barely feel it shift. The car drives firmer than my old Caddy but in a good way. It just feels more solid and its certainly as comfortable. My only concern is long term reliability since Ive read about earlier generation Jettas having some significant quality issues. Only time will tell if VW has improved on the quality.

• 

  Great Buy!!! - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lilly - September 3 - 3:06 am

  I Love this car.. I went from an Equinox to the Jetta... It gets great mileage.. has a lot of zip and is fun to drive. Also has a ton of trunk space!

• 

  I love my passat! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By supanova - September 3 - 1:23 am

  I recently traded in my nightmare of car (Jeep grand Cherokee). I bought my passat a few days ago. Im over the moon! My kids love it. The backseat is roomy. The trunk space is much bigger than I expected. And I love the sound system. The sun / moon roof. And the power! Go Volkswagen!

• 

  Great pull uphill and well balanced feel - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By niedernhausen - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Power steering pump slaves and makes noise on low idle tight turns. Turning radius larger than expected. Mercedes and Volvo are bigger cars and can turn in less space. Rear wiper has plastic nozzle cap that can clog with road salt. Pry plastic cover off and pull out nozzle and clean. Cruise control solid, anti-pinch windows great, turning key in door lock to put all windows down when entering in summer superb turn key other way to put all windows up

• 

  Fun fun fun - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By gary b simon - September 1 - 7:56 am

  As a past owner of a VW dealership, I am confident when I say the car is terrific. This car is fun, fun, fun. I wanted something to enjoy and it seems the Jetta 5spd has provided that something. A tight fitting vehicle with nothing negative to report except the gas consumption could use some improvement.

• 

  Great motor, High quality finishes, Fun - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By ToledoJoe - August 31 - 2:06 pm

  I cant complain about anything. I am in the honeymoon phase with my 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T for the time being. I have never driven a six speed manual, but it is simple and exhilarating. This car will probably not be good for maintaining my clean driving record. Several characteristics place this car above the mundane - the key fob, the rear entry into the trunk, umbrella holder (umbrella should have been included), access into the trunk from the rear seat through cupholders, lighted blinkers on side mirrors and styling. It has tons of standard features like power windows / doors / AC / cruise control / CD player etc... Im hoping that the quality, reliability and condition will last. This seems to be a question mark at this time. So far, this car is great!

• 

  Happy in DC - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Elliott Rubinstein - August 31 - 11:56 am

  This car is wonderful love the fuel mileage,rides well on long trips ,sound system is above average. Very satisfied with quality of equipment. Would recommend this car over Accord and Camry much better value

• 

  I bought it - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By buckscodriver - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I bought the 2002 Passat 1.8T after having my heart set on the new Nissan Altima. After putting both to the test, I am very pleased with my decision. Ive driven Japanese cars all my life, so this was somewhat of a leap for me. The Passat was far superior at control and cornering...both of which far outweighed slightly less power, in my opinion. Other positives for the Passat include construction quality, standard features (including ABS) and interior design.

• 

  Better than the Altima!! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By routerdog - August 31 - 10:00 am

  Love it!!! Almost bought the Altima cuz I compared it to the Auto Passat. Drove the 5 speed and fell in love. Got 32 mpg on a round trip from Philly to NYC - almost as good as my old corolla