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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  Not bad for a wagon - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By harmsaj - August 7 - 9:23 pm

  Fun car, has plenty of kick when you punch it, not my GTO, but hey. This is the first turbo car and VW that Ive voluntarily bought, and it was worth it. We just drove back from the mother- in-laws, 489 miles. There was still over a quarter tank of gas left, that rocks! Couple design features Im not crazy about, but later, fun car, great utility, kind of a rough ride for a larger car, but moves like a smaller car. Suspension is kind of mushy, no slaloms anytime soon. Sounds sweet with an aftermarket intake!!!

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  Give the Golf a chance! - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By Driver J - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I leased a GLS 4-dr Golf and I love it! I drove a Corolla before and now I cant go back to the vanilla style and handling of the Hondas and Toyotas. The only problem Ive had is with a faulty oxygen sensor computer. I was expecting this as it seemed to be a flaw on 2000 and early 2001 Golfs and Jettas Otherwise it drive well and I have no complaints. Dealer service in both Wisconsin and Wash DC area has beeen exceptional. No one ever pesters me for extra oil changes, etc. I will probably buy a VW when the lease is up.

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  W8 Passat - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By PT409 - August 7 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car-so long as you get the Sport Package...

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  Convertible, Sunroof, Coupe {CSC} - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Rich - August 3 - 7:33 pm

  This car has all the qualities that I always wanted in a convertible: performance, power, good gas mileage, safety, and its fun to drive. The list goes on and on. Its like having the features of an Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz with a VW price.

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  Nice ride! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Devin Gabriel - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Previously I owned a 98 Jetta GLX VR6: the new A4 platform has signifigant improvements in quality, comfort, performance (handling/power), & such. Its been a blast to drive. Ive had minor problems with the driver side window making too much noise while rolling up & down, but otherwise, Ive been satisfied.

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  Nice ride - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By VWLOVER - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I think this is onw of the best SUVs ever made i like the ride confort of it i think i get all i want and need from an SUV

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  great vehicle - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jamie - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Hnadles well, love the performance. Girls love this vehicle. i love this vehicle. And the fuel isnt bad for the type of car it is!

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  Minor Build Quality Problems, Major Fun - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lynx79 - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Love the car, have had a few minor glitches. Both front power windows have broken off of their tracks requiring trips to the service department with less than 9000 miles on the car, both repaired under warranty at no cost, and I was told this is a problem with pre-2003 Jettas. Plastic trim around center vents has bubbled and cracked at about 8000 miles, as has the plastic on the parking brake handle, latch in armrest storage has broken, as has a passenger side floormat anchor--have yet to address these issues with service department to see warranty applicability, saving these issues for the 10,000 mile service coming up soon.

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  A Blast to Drive. - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By luckyg22 - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my Passat a week ago I traded my Lincoln Town Car It was a 2001 . I just love this car. It has so much power and is so much fun to drive. I wish I would have bought a long time ago . My son had a BMW once and this car reminds me of it. Just the way it drive sounds , handles. I cant say enough about it . Its great. I love it.

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  quick car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lantirn - August 3 - 10:00 am

  The car is definitely quick and still sporty. If you like soft suspension you wont get it here. The suspension is sporty even though the car looks like its about to go SUV. The car gets smoother as you drive on the highway. And the feel of the steering wheel and manual stick shift is so much better than any Japanese car Ive driven.