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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  100 miles a day - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Third VW - January 29 - 1:13 pm

  As someone who commutes over 100 miles a day to my office I was looking for a car that I could enjoy driving and as VW fan I gave them first chance for my most recent purchase. I planned to shop the Mercedez C class but never got to their dealership. Test drove the CC and was sold. I love the VW tight handling and this car takes it up a notch from my previous Passatt 4Motion. The aggressive exterior lines, the growl of the engine at startup and the 290 Hpower all make driving it fun. Like some other posters of reviews, I had the badging taken off the rear to keep that element of mystery as people wonder what type of car it is when they see it. Blue tooth, touchscreen Nav, both great.

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  Buyer Beware - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Dara - January 29 - 6:36 am

  I will never purchase another VW again in my life. It runs great while its under factory warranty, but be prepared to shell out at least a quarter of your vehicles market price afterward. Under warranty, the tire pressure monitoring system failed, and I brought it into the dealership 6 times--for which I was told that I was at fault for not "properly monitoring my tires." After the warranty was up, they finally found a problem--and it costs $2000 to repair. My airbag light went on for the first time this week. Total cost: $520. Since the last time I took it to be serviced (1 week ago), the chime on the dashboard malfunctioned, another $1700 problem. It’s a serious money guzzler. Buyer beware.

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  Would never buy a Eurovan again - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Danarielle - January 29 - 12:46 am

  This van has been nothing but trouble. It had brake problems that required towing the first day I bought it. Its air conditioning has malfunctioned twice and the dealer cannot fix it. Its electrical system malfunctioned (no speedometer/odomotor/etc) and it took the dealer a month to fix it. Its windshield is now loose and it turns out it is a PPG windshield not even an original Volkswagen part. A simple recommendation -- do not buy this van!

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  Texas 2004 - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By jarvissn - January 28 - 10:00 am

  I love to drive this car. Needs to be more fuel efficient.

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  Simply The Best - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By sapphirexae - January 27 - 10:23 pm

  I am so saddened by the negative reviews I see on here concerning the EOS. I have had nothing but 100% reliable service and miles of fun drives! Ok, it is a car that requires special maintenance (ie: the roof seals) but it says that CLEARLY in the owners manual! If you dont read the book, you shouldnt be surprised at these things. I lubricate my seals as per VW and have never had an issue! Basically, my EOS has never given us an once of trouble. I have never owned a hardtop car and have owned over 60 convertibles, this is by far the best thought out one I have ever seen / owned! If you are considering one, DO IT! You wont regret it!

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  Squeaky & Chipped, But Fun To Drive - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By VW_Passat - January 27 - 4:56 pm

  I have had the Passat for almost 6 months and have about 10K miles on the car. The interior squeaks until it gets warmed up and the hood chips very easily. However, I bought the car for comfort and acceleration. So far I have not been disappointed. If you want something peppy to jump in and out of high traffic areas or fly down the backroads, this is the car for you. Im getting between 26 and 29 mpg. If you get a black Passat get a detail shop to put on a 3M clear protectant. It will save you from repainting the hood.

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  Most Reliable I ever owned - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By autowolf - January 27 - 2:39 am

  I have owned the car for 3 years and to this day it has been in more close calls than any other car I have owned, but never let me down. I had to pull over on hwy I89 for over heating once, the problem was a leaking seal at 160k miles and it was an easy fix. Off the road one icy dirt road in the winter, thanks to the cars design I was safe in a ditch unfortunately, but safe from scratches on the paint and I was only shocked a little by the event, driver error and winter conditions. I have been kept safe on the winter roads thanks to this car and it has been the most fun car in its year and class that I have ever driven.

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  Get one. - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Wheat120 - January 26 - 12:16 pm

  I think this is a great truck. It is more then capable of doing Sunday drives to going down a mountain trail. The worst thing about it is the gas mileage. But can you expect more for a V8 powered 5500 pound SUV then 15 mpg city and 20 highway? I dont think so. Great truck. Just get the extended warrenty just in case something happenes, expensive parts to fix.

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  The Great 8 - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By great 8 - January 26 - 10:43 am

  My 2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD has a sports sedan feel with the sport package option. It has been reliable with good manners. It takes time to understand and appreciate this car. The engine is a unique configuration of two V4 motors sitting almost on top of each forming a W hence the name. The 4Motion keeps the 270 horses stabilized and glued to the road. Otherwise, a front drive 8-cylinder car might be gyrating out of contol. The manual 6-speed transmission is very pleasant to use. This car is understated and classy. The high density lights are a bonus driving at night in deer country.

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  2000 New Beetle GLS - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ADubinLA - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Given all of the problems weve had, I still like my car. The New Beetle is great to have around town ... great styling, easy to maneuver in crowded parking lots, reasonable power. The key problems weve had, however, are with the electrical system. Weve had to replace a CD harness, ignition switch, side airbag harness, among other things. Id get another Beetle, but definitely would keep my fingers crossed about the build quality.