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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  So far so good - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By deeperseoul - June 13 - 11:56 pm

  My first VW ever and digging it!. Ive always had interest in GTI and there was 0% apr opportunity back in July. One test drive pretty much sold me the car. My attachment of this car is almost equal to the time when i got my first car back in 1988(Nissan Maxima). Although, brand new car picked up from the dealer was already defective with faulty head light ballester, it has not given me any other issues so far. I see why people rave about this car...driving this car is very gratifying. It may not be the most powerful or reliable car but for me, this car has more personality than competitors.

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  Love my little vw! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rach - June 12 - 10:16 am

  I just bought this car a couple months ago. My Mustang was totaled and I had to find something fast. I had a 85 Jetta in the early 90s and loved it, and my Moms 76 Rabbit was passed down to me in the late 80s as a teenager so I love Volkswagons. This Jetta handles grades like a champ. I had four people and luggage in it and it climbed a mountain that cars usually overheat on with no problems, never even had to downshift into 4th gear. For the few of you I read about the noises from the front end. Well, mine had that also. Check the bolts in your sway bars. My bolt was hanging half out and there was thudding in the front end from that. Inside cup holder is also broken.

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  Fun Car - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By krauss - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Just got the 5 speed 03 right before the 04s were coming out. Outfitted with leather, esp, 17" wheels, and luxury package. got it for 19,600 so im pretty pleased. first time buying a new car, but i found one of the last GTIs in California, and called them up and said 19,600 - ill buy it right now. guess that works. no problems thus far, the clutch took some breaking in, but its smooth now. occasional rattle in the car, hard to keep black interior clean, but the car can move. make no mistake about it, they say it can take any gasoline, but only premium will make it behave like a GTI. sunroof is great, looking forward to driving it home after work.

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  I look forward to driving it every day! - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By deepfry - June 12 - 2:00 am

  My decision to go from my long-time favorite brands Honda/Acura to VW is largely due to the fact that the quality / feature / price of Honda in the recent years simply cant match that of the now Brazil-made GTI. This car has plenty of torque to offer when accelerating despite of its relatively heavy chassis. However, with stock suspension it handles only adequately. I know it is not really fair to compare its handling with my modded 5th gen. Civic Si HB but I have a hard time getting used to the softer suspension and the annoying turbo lag. It just lacks the nimble, swift and responsive feeling I am used to.

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  Solid Car with Few Headaches - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By GeorgePDog - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This is all the car I expected and more. I wanted a compact sedan that would still be fun to drive. With a 28- mile commute, my Nissan truck was eating me alive on gas costs. I love this car. The car corners great. I have had the car to 110 mph and still accelerating before my good sense kicked in and caused me to let off the gas pedal. The best thing is that I can drive 75-80 mph to work and still get 30 mpg, and the car does not drag up hills even at that speed. Issues: ignition switch had to be replaced and the front driver and passenger windows stick quite a bit.

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  Beautiful car, VW service stinks! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mnsrun - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Jetta and I love the styling and the handling, however, I have had the same no brainer issues as everyone else, windows falling, lights burning out, stupid things breaking, crappy customer service! Have complained about smelly AC since car had 5000 miles on it and VW couldnt diagnose until car out of warranty! HMMMM

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  Lost of Electronic Problems - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Touareg Man - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my V8 Touareg on Columbus Day, and it has been back to the dealer 3 times in 830 miles. All the problems (several of them) relate to the onboard computer systems (check engine light, running gear, gear selector, tire monitoring system, ESP, limp home gear).

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  TOUAREG - ANYWAY YOU SAY IT - WOW - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By MILES - June 12 - 2:00 am

  BEST OF THE BEST WHEN IT COMES TO PERFORMANCE SUVS. THIS IS A POWERPACKED GERMAN ENGINEERED TOURING SUV THAT DRIVES LIKE A DREAM.

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  LOVE IT OR HATED - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By farid3 - June 11 - 5:32 pm

  I HAVE JETTA GL 2.0 IT HAS 221000 MILES ON IT. ITS A GOOD CAR BUT VERY DELICATE CAR. IT HAS TO HAVE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ON IT ON A REGULAR BASES, AND BE ON THE TOP OF CAR SERVICE ALL THE TIME. IF YOU LIKE TO FLIRT AROUND WITH A CAR THAN IS GOOD BUT IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE JUST PUTS IN GAS AND CAHNGE THE OIL ONCE A WHILE THAN THIS IS NOT YOUR CAR and stick with Japanes cars. changed the timing belts, cranck sensor, changed lot of plastic connections in the engines. radiator replaced and the AC changed compressor changed with a new BEHR unit. used Mobil 1 oil. changed the transmission fluid every other year. German cars have to have preventive service done on them.

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  My Lemon - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By J. Petrus - June 9 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this car thinking German engineering is built strong and tuff. One week from owning the car the breaks start to squeek loud( high pitch sound).I took it to the Van nuys dealer and they said it is break dust and it will go away.We had a crv before that and never had a problem, Regretably, we are looking to trade this car with eithier another crv,rav4 or cx7. I guess the German cars are not so strong after all.