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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  Fun fuel efficient car - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Banff Luther - March 21 - 6:11 am

  The 1.4T engine has lots of pep for what it is and amazing fuel effenciency at 40gph on the hwy. the fit and finish are standard for this value of a car. The interior is much roomier than the older Jettas and the trunk has more space than my Sportwagon. Its a good car over all and fun to drive. Its still new and not sure of long term maintenance.

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  Fun fuel efficient car - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Banff Luther - March 21 - 6:11 am

  The 1.4T engine has lots of pep for what it is and amazing fuel effenciency at 40gph on the hwy. the fit and finish are standard for this value of a car. The interior is much roomier than the older Jettas and the trunk has more space than my Sportwagon. Its a good car over all and fun to drive. Its still new and not sure of long term maintenance.

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  Poor Milage - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jeff - March 19 - 4:20 am

  I was told when I bought this car it would get 42/52 MPG because it is a deisel I have never even gotten 40 MPG ever! I felt ripped off! by the Dealer! They told me to write to VW, even though the salesman told me and repeatedly told me about the high MPG the best Ive ever gotten is 35 MPG city and highway, which isnt bad, but its not 42 or even 52 as promised by the salesman! I will never buy another car from this DEALER ever again! I feel ripped off every time I fill up.

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  You need to drive one - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By T - March 15 - 12:50 pm

  This is my third and favorite VW. I have previously owned a 00 Golf, 01 GTI VR6, and an Audi A6 4.2. The Audi is the standard I have come to judge all other vehicles by and the TDI stands up well. The power/economy ratio cannot be disputed. It does lack power over 80 mph but the torque from 10-60 is great. The DSG is the most amazing transmission I have ever driven. It is lightning fast and smooth shifts plus one more gear than the stick! I bought the car over the phone and did not spend enough time checking fit and finish on the lot; as a result I have found a few build quality issues. They are minor overall, but really check your car out before you drive off, Hecho in Mexico. Great Car!

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  Glad I bought this car - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By RyRo - March 14 - 2:53 pm

  Owned for one week. Solid car gets crazy good mileage. Like the option set for the price. Also got the eco credit. big score. Nice interior. Fun to drive car. not a dog by any means.

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  love it, but... - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By kschel - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive despite appreciable turbo lag off the line. Have had numerous little problems which the dealership has been able to fix. This is certainly no Toyota in terms of build quality or reliability, but then again it isnt a mere "transportation appliance"--actually has personality. I wouldnt have bought it without VW extending the base warranty to 48 months. Wonderful interior, nice quality feel.

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  Fun car with personality - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ptuchinda - March 11 - 1:23 pm

  If you want personality and style this is the car for you.

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  New Owner - 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
  By utahgolfer - March 10 - 10:38 am

  I only have 600 miles on the vehicle and all of it has been in town. I plan to update this as I get more miles. No opinion on mileage, road noise, ride on long trips, reliability, service, and handling in the snow, Yet. I have ordered the towing package but it hasnt come in yet. I dont use the phone bluetooth.

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  Time will tell - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Derasie Lee - March 8 - 2:26 pm

  I owned a GXP with 303hp before this car. It had much more raw power, but this car can move for it size good pickup. The ride of the car feels a little more upscale, and the design of the car is what made me take a second look at VW. PS still miss the GXP however

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  none - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sparky1 - March 5 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Jetta in July of last year. Its nice to finally have a quality built vehicle compared to GM products.