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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  Been a Year of Highs - 2005 Volkswagen Golf
  By jcross - April 19 - 9:56 am

  After owning the car just over a year I could never imagine driving anything else. The best milage Ive gotten is 53 mpg and the worst is 45 mpg. This is not bad for a car with an EPA rating of 38/42. The car has been great on trips and as a daily driver. Ive used the cargo space to help move friends. This has been the most versatile car Ive ever owned. The torque lets me cruise for miles and go over passes in top gear, or squirt up to the speed limit around town with ease. Ive rarely ever felt that I needed more that what the little diesel offers.

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  Owned the car for about a month - no regrets - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By St. Paul, MN - April 18 - 4:56 am

  Bought a Habanero Orange SEL 4Motion w/ third row seating. This is my wifes car and she says it is the best car shes ever had. We have bought VW for years, but also have owned a Dodge minivan and Mercury Villager minivan. We are nearly empty nesters, but being able to haul adult kids and their significant others for dinner (in a pinch) w/ the third row is great. The engine has enough power to move the vehicle, but it defaults to "ECO" mode which results in what many would consider inadequate performance. Shift points and acceleration can be adjusted. My wife likes to optimize for fuel economy and doesnt mind the quirks. The engine is somewhat loud during acceleration but the vehicle is ridiculously silent when cruising. We owned a Jetta TDI (diesel) and I would compare the noise to a diesel. The interior is beautiful and well laid out (German). The car works great and we love it. Lots of compliments on the color. Much better MPG than what the EPA says.

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  The best luxury car in its class - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By ayalraz - April 16 - 10:00 am

  The best luxury car in its class

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  dont support saudi arabia? buy this car - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By 824 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Burns Biodiesel -- product of soybeans grown in USA.

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  Great Long Term Relationship - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By taxman - April 16 - 10:00 am

  just over three years with the car and couldnt be more pleased with the overall experience. A little more excitement would be nice but absolutely nothing has gone wrong - not a hiccup. Fresh Poetenza 950s have made a difference over OE Michelins. Sylvania Silverstar bulbs also. Other than these and Mobil 1, aint done nothing else.

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  I love my car! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ImCarrie - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jetta used. It was 3 yrs old and only had 36k on it. Right away when I got it the blinkers stopped ticking, but other than that my car has been absolutely perfect. I really wanted to get a GTI, but this was more in my price range. I thought I would be disappointed, but I couldnt be happier w/ this little car. I still love to get in it everyday and dont regret my purchase at all. Very pleased!

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  how many w8 are on the street? - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Si Heon Lee - April 16 - 10:00 am

  great power from 60mph~120mph

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  The Best - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By dubball - April 15 - 11:36 am

  Best car I have ever owned - and that includes 3 Mercedes-Benz S500s, a BMW M5, etc. My Porsche 911 cabriolet was perhaps the most fun (in Miami), but cannot imagine a better sedan. I test drove an Audi A8L and a BMW 7-Series, but this is the car. Its navigation system could be better, but everything else is great.

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  Luxury for everyone - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Pseudobrit - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Great car so far. I fill the tank up maybe twice a month. Interior is lovely. A reviewer was right when he talked about "democratized luxury." This is a nicely appointed, fully featured car for well under 20k. Total cost to own/cost per mile is lower than any of the "similar vehicles" Edmunds offers for review.

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  Gti- Engineering. - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By kho - April 14 - 10:00 am

  The VW Gti is a very under-rated car, it is fully featured for the same price as a RSX premium. It is fast and corners better than any japanese car out there. (evident in a 1/4 mile ring against a Gt-s) It gets up to speed fast and has passing power to boot. Superb stock car.