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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  Best Diesel SUV for the money - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By pops24 - December 22 - 10:54 pm

  I bought the 2013 VW Tuareg TDI. I am a car adjuster and I know the automotive field very well. The TDI is by far the best diesel SUV for the money. Has probably one of the best overall quality interiors and the driving performance is out of this world for a 6 cylinder and has a very quiet diesel engine. zzzzz The 2013 VW Tuareg is the best kept secret... till my review.

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  Superb Driving Experience and Safety - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By HOU08 - December 22 - 1:46 pm

  Bought Jetta GLS 1.8T, sport package, auto, fully loaded, sunroof, in Dec 05 with 29K miles. 65K now in Jul 08. The car is a pleasure to drive. Fast acceleration and breaking, comfortable (I’m 34 and 6.1), excellent performance and road handling. The car fatefully listens to your, very safe. 1.8T is nothing like regular Jettas. Mechanical problems: a year ago both front suspensions squeaking & back wheels humming noise started- mechanic thinks nothing serious. Rear passenger side door could not open, fixed under warranty. Electrical problems: passenger seat heater broke, 6 of 8 speakers died, factory radio/CD broke twice, all fixed under warranty. I still love the car & would recommend it.

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  1st VW ever - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By 1stpassat - December 21 - 3:53 pm

  Purchase used. Looks and drives new. Put 600 miles on in 4 weeks. Not a squeak or rattle to be heard. Bought for safety, mpg, fun to drive (right on). Feels glued to the road at high speeds. First VW so far totally love it. Previous owner seemed to have dealt with 3 recalls, 2 computer updates. If I had to deal with that probably wouldnt be so happy. Others cars considered: BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G35, Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4. For the money outstanding Euro car, cant be beat. Great that VW fit a full size spare in the trunk! Love the key fob! When the car is pushed hard in corners, notice body roll. I would buy another VW.

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  Best Car Ever - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By God blessing jetta - December 20 - 6:53 am

  Well I just got my Jetta I love it. Very Clean car for 95000 miles on it . Its not giving me any problems since i got it . I read most of the reviews I believe if you take care of your car and this goes for all car and trucks if you take care of it , it will last you a very long time like for example i had a 1997 eclipse and It drove me everywhere and gave me no problems bc i took care of it but i sold it bc im 6ft 4in and need a bigger vehicle and it had 240,000miles and i just got my jetta and ima do the same thing is take care of it. its fast it runs good and its a 2.0litter well thats all for now

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  Worth the Price! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By nbhsssd - December 20 - 2:00 am

  A Volkswagon for this price???? Yup..., and worth every penny. Theres nothing "economy" about this vehicle (certainly not price or fuel economy). But it handles like a sports car, and rides like a luxury car.

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  Great car! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Marie21 - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Everytime I get into my car I am reminded how much I love it. I commute frequently so I need something both reliable and fun to drive. Ive certainly found both of those in the Jetta.

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  Very Good Car, Very Happy - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By gerhard schonian - December 19 - 12:26 am

  The Touaregs style is very nice. It has a very roomy interior.

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  I Still LOVE This Car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By thevelvetelvis - December 18 - 6:14 pm

  I bought my 2004 passat GLX 4motion slightly used with less than 9,000 miles on it. I lived in North Idaho for 11 years and this little car handled everything the weather threw at it. Now Im in Florida and I still love my car. Im At 65,000 miles and It has had no problems at all. Zero. I always do the routine maintenance and It still runs amazingly well. I have always had Japanese cars with their very good repair record but loved the way this little car handled so I bought it, always thinking if it becomes a problem, Ill sell it and move on. When its time to replace this car Ill get another German car. I just love the way they handle. Its sick, but I do love this car.

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  Nice car - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By AK - December 17 - 9:03 pm

  I have leased this car and have driven about 1500 miles. It is a nice car to drive. I test drove a BMW 5 series and a Mercedes E350 before deciding on the Passat. It offers a great ride for much less price. However, only manage to get about 20 mile/gallon and there are some noise from plastic parts inside. A little catch up to do when compared with infinity G35 and Lexus E class at a slightly higher price. Wanted to drive a German car and a nice one overall.

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  Will always be my favorite and possible only type of car!!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By frunklaje - December 17 - 11:22 am

  Awesome little bug! It can carry a lot even three dogs, nice spoiler,(not a surprise it comes out at 90mph) great mileage have gotten 40 on highway, very small and compact but still a lot of head room. PS: Very strong panels. Ran into a van, van got a dent but no scratch on the beetle.