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:

• 

  So fast - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Matt Eberhardt - May 28 - 10:00 am

  My new GTI is so fast and smooth and I coulnt be happier with it. I will be buying my 3 Golf when this is paid off. Matt

• 

  A gem in the rough - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By GTIbuff - May 28 - 10:00 am

  You wont find a better or more refined ride for the price

• 

  Passat Rating - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Markopat - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE this car...I only have one small complaint. The 1.8 Turbo has a slight delay when you step on the gas hard. When the tubo kicks in, it grabs pretty good. Gas milage has been approx 23- 24/gallon...not bad with gas prices at $2.20 a gallon. I highly reccomend this car and the Scottsdale, AZ Camelback Dealership.

• 

  VW Jetta GLS 2.0 5 Speed - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dean B - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my Jetta. No gripes so far, its fun to drive, good fuel economy. The only problem is that fluff or dust easily get into the speedometer console and its hard to get that out.

• 

  Beetle convertible -first impressions - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Robert Skaleski - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle drives well and is comfortable. It has style and a personality. I was pleasantly surprised at the ride which was solid and controlled. It is not the beetle of old, but a new and more sophisticated car with 3,100 lbs of fun, electronic features and a zippy motor.

• 

  LOVE IT !! HEADS TURN, MANY COMPLIMENTS - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JOAN YOVAN - May 28 - 10:00 am

  GREAT RIDE,SMOOTH,QUIET. TAKES BUMPS EASY.GOOD LOOKING. USE P/T IN FLORIDA.

• 

  I love my bug! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By tweety76 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Its quick, its fast and its a heck of alot of fun to drive!

• 

  Awesome - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Regina Ferrer - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is beautiful it is perfect for me!

• 

  unexpected pleasant surprise - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By imfarkle - May 27 - 11:18 pm

  I never expected to do a deal,but i had read alot of good things about the new passat, and went for a test drive.I tested the V6 SEL and i fell in love with it. Ive had it for 1 month 1000 miles. I still love it, No problems so far.

• 

  After 45000 Miles and 2 years - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 1969dart - May 27 - 1:29 pm

  Ive had this car just over two years and other than the cost of maintenance being high im very happy with this car, this car has been completely trouble free, i get 40 to 42 miles per Gal driving 68 to 72 and about 38 at 75 to 80, i pull my motor cycle trailor from Ohio to Az the past two years with a total trailor weight of about 2000 pounds and i get about 23 to 25 miles to the Gal at 70 miles per Hr, could be a little bigger in the back seat area but other than that i love this little car, i think it thinks its a Diesel truck