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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  My VW rules - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rosspgerard - June 2 - 2:00 am

  my new vw jetta has a nice european look and feel to it drives good for its price range to.

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  Jetta TDI 2006 - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hcciii - June 1 - 7:36 pm

  This is an excellent car. My sole complaint is that it takes a while to warm up in cold weather. The Winter package with heated seats and heated mirrors is helpful. It is quiet, smooth, and tight. Its excess torque prove horsepower is not a great measure of a cars pep by itself.

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  No Brainer - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Imago - June 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is an absolute no brainer. I have driven sport utes for years and after finally accepting that I simply do not off road, I opted to purchase a hatchback. The cargo area is huge after you flip the back seat bench and fold the back rests. Far and away the biggest bang for the buck in its class. The VR6 is an amazing engine, well worth the upgrade from the standard 1.8T. The motor is simply STRONG. Close your eyes, sign the contract and love yourself for years to come. This is the best car I have ever owned!!!

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  The perfect hatch - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By jeffjj - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Other car companies should take note in the golf. The only flaw is its suspension (tends to be a bit soft) but once that is modified it becomes a beast. They sell aftermarket computer chips which can increase the boost to incredible levels! 215hp/245ft torque out of this tiny monster. All that with class, a interior that only BMW can rival, and great german engineering.

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  Great German Car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lance Corbett - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful car to drive. Good mileage, confortable seats, excellent power, excellent radio system, safest compact car made (5 star frontal, 4 star side impact). Has never been in the shop. Will buy another one soon.

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  Lots of fun with room - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By annapoal - June 1 - 12:13 am

  The 1.8t with a 5 speed produces great mileage with very good performance. Ride and handling are great. Lots of room. For what it is worth, that german feel. Very nice sound system. Lots of little things like door sill plates, chrome lip on trunk edge, super trip computer, and little sun visor behind mirror. Excellent value with all the air bags, stability control, antilock brakes, and premium sound. Threw in the winter package and there is not much to want.

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  Pleasure to Drive - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By robert boyle - May 31 - 6:00 am

  Compared to other comparably-priced sedans (Camry, Accord, etc.), Passat drives like a sports car, with plenty of acceleration ability (even without the 3.6L engine) and steering control. It may not be perfect (check engine light goes on and off intermittently) but it is a great, fun car to drive.

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  Why Buy a Bimmer? - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By David Lewis - May 30 - 5:43 am

  If Car and Driver had an award for "most fun and luxury per dollar," the GLI would win hands-down. My girlfriend and I looked at everything from a Honda Fit to a 330i, but without a doubt, the GLI is the best deal. In fact, in many ways, it is superior to the 330i: the sport steering wheel is certainly more sporty than the 330i, the center console slides for customized comfort, the front armrests in the 330i have seams right on the edge (who wants to rest their elbow on a seam?), and the shift knob is a comfortable, smooth leather complemented by metal, as compared to the 330is slightly awkward plastic, metal, leather combination that leaves your palms sweaty - and not in a good way.

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  Review on the jetta - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Daniil - May 29 - 12:56 pm

  I owned a car for a month now and have not had any problems with it.Accelaration is really good for car that doesnt have that much power to it.I must admit that it is easy to work on.

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  Cant beat it - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By chukchi - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Its been a little over two years and 60k miles since I purchased my Golf. I have owned 3 other VWs. This one maintains the good VW qualities and has fixed most of the bad ones. The safety features are untouchable by other cars in its price range and many of the more expensive cars on the market. Handling and performance are more than acceptable. I average 31-33mpg with mostly highway and backroad driving. The only problems I have had are minor (broken window clips, cracked window moldings, loose wiper fluid hose in hatch). The best characteristic is the cargo space. I fit a new dishwasher with all its packaging in the back, with room to spare.