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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  A Fun and Practical Car - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By rick - March 8 - 10:03 pm

  I have been waiting for this one ever since the concept previewed in the auto shows. Last week, I grabbed one of only seven allotted to the dealer until later this year (maybe). The other dealer in town only had five. On my first drive to the bay area, I had three compliments while waiting to pay the bridge toll! Plan on spending about $36,000 out the door on the basic model with the auto stick and about $40,000 for the Sport/Luxury model. The car is quick, rides very quiet with roof down, has great steering, and the 17 inch wheels really help dampen road bump noise. It has a great sunroof too! The standard sound system is plenty and I got 31 mpg on my first tank of gas. All in all, this is a great car!

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  Good things come in Small packages - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By Falcone - March 8 - 2:00 am

  The Brand New Volkswagen Golf R32 is a quick and fun car to drive. More power then its little brother the GTI. The R32 is a 3.2 VR6 with 240hp, All-wheel drive german monster.

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  bentley for 70% off - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By davidcpeck - March 8 - 2:00 am

  i test drove a 12 cyclinder with after market wheels, rubber, and exhaust system in scottsdale... wow. this is a hand-made vehicle with bentley heritage for under $ 100.k the vw badges are round, so owners can easily replace them with round bentley badges, or customized with owners names, or even "phaeton"... the best car ive ever been in... including bentleys and rolls

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  2nd Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jlturpin - March 8 - 2:00 am

  My first VW Touareg was a VWOA buy back. Purchased a BMW 3.0 X5, did not like it and ordred another Touareg. Love the Touareg, just wish the first one would not have been a lemon.

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  Touareg Tore me away from BMW - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By C. Carden - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I was a diehard Bmw fan, I have had for. I was currently driving a 97 740il when I went to the show room to look at at what VW had and there it was the new VW What, how do you you say its name ? I fell in love who cares if it has a strange name its a conversation breaker. There I was I went from the 740il BMW to the Touareg and never looked back I dont even look for my old car in fact I dont miss it all. I love my new car. I feel safe confident and stylish, what more could a girl ask for.

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  Touareg, free folk - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By bigspence - March 8 - 2:00 am

  My experience with the car has been fantastic. I look forward to driving it every day. Its been below zero here lately with a lot of 5" snowfalls. The slippery conditions are never felt, the Touareg goes around icy corners like its on rails. It starts quickly and warms up rapidly at any temperature, and the bun warmers in the seats are great since they extend up into the lumbar region where many other models dont.

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  best suv for me - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By brbones - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I traded my bmw X5 for this suv. I love the handling, comfort, heating and overall style of this vehicle. My main complaint is the gas mileage. One final thought, these vehicles are in such demand you may have trouble getting the exact vehicle you want.

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  only a bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By marthap - March 8 - 2:00 am

  i love my convertible bug. i have had 3 bugs in my life. a 72 convertible that was really hard to get worked on so as much as i hated to i sold it. then in 2001 i bought a new bug and then in 2003 when having the oil changed in my bug i bought a 2004 convertible bug - mellow yellow. i havent had alot of "without" top time yet since i bought it end of fall early winter but im looking forward to summer fun. i am counting on this being my last car.

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  My dream car!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By the duke - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive wanted this car for a number of years and I can definitely say it was worth the wait. Just like everyone I know who has looked or purchased the car has said, its simply a fun car to drive. Deceiving with the amt of room througout the car; engine is more powerful than expected; and great interior and exterior style. The leather and luxury packages are a must.

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  2002 VW Jetta Wagon - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MrZero - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Tight shutlines and a build quality normally associated with costlier vehicles. Rich interior materials. The base model includes 4 wheel disc brakes,ABS, side curtain airbags, dual front airbags, and front side bolster airbags standard. Honda charges a premium for ABS. Attention-to-detail is immaculate both inside and out. ABS plastic pans cover the underside of the car, properly diffusing air, causing less buffeting and lower wind noise. As with other 4 cylinder cars, the 2.0 engine bay is neat and all fluids are clearly marked and within easy reach. I am thoroughly impressed with VW