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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  Great car! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Stephanie - October 25 - 2:04 am

  Very smooth and zippy while maintaining excellent control with minimal interior noise.

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  Bought Over a BMW 330i and Volvo S60 - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By babydoc - October 24 - 9:20 am

  The 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 is an absolute joy to drive. My wife and I both like it better than her Volvo S60 T5. The combination of its 276hp, dynaudio stereo system, leather interior with wood trim made it feel like a better purchase than the BMW 330i. The engine seems incredibly responsive, and typically is at about 2,500 rpm at 75+ mph. This car is a world apart from the 03 and 04 Passats Ive ridden in.

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  DSG is for me - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 421ho - October 24 - 2:40 am

  I bought the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI primarily because of the DSG transmission. This is our second car and my wife really does not want to deal with a manual trans. On the surface the DSG was a good compromise. However in reality there is no compromise. It is faster than a manual, gets better gas mileage and just as much fun (assuming your left leg doesnt mind acting as a support rather than operating the clutch). This transmission is what every transmission should be...a wonderful automatic with full and instantaneous control. The engine is wonderful too. The combination is fantasic. I bought the GLI because you could not get this combo from Audi in a sedan. The rest of the car is excellent as well.

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  2006 Passat 2.0t - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By gringo1 - October 23 - 4:26 pm

  This car has been bullet-proof after almost 60,00 miles, which, I have to admit, is quite a bit different from my previous Passat (1996 GLX). But I bought another one, didnt I? Replaced the wiper motor early on, under warranty. After that, nothing. My only complaint is that the ride has softened. My 96 was a slot car. But, its still a beautiful design 4 years later and is the best blend of performance and fuel economy I know of in the segment.

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  It lets you keep your masculinity - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By willida - October 23 - 9:53 am

  I love my Routan SEL. The ride and the steering feel different enough to get you excited. Its not a Ferrari, but at least it doesnt drive and look like a Mommy wagon. The power doors are a godsend. So are the wireless headphones. The only drawback in my case is that they supply 2 headphones but I have 3 kids. I also like the 3-zone automatic A/C. The 4.0L gets the best gas mileage of all mini-vans sold in America, according to the EPA. Im not seeing that kind of gas mileage yet, but the engine only has 950 miles on it, and most of our driving has been less than 10 miles at a time.

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  The Best Car to Buy and Fun, Too! - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By skippey96 - October 23 - 6:40 am

  I have only owned American cars in the past. Now I have a new love, let me tell ya. The Rabbit is a pleasure to drive and is sporty looking. The only problem is people love to look at it and ask questions about it. Not that that is a bad thing, but well get one of your own and youll love it to. Did I forget to tell ya it is fast (great on gas to). I hope that more people get them, you wont be sorry.

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  A Dream Come True! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Louis D - October 23 - 6:21 am

  Purchasing the Jetta SEL has been like a dream come true! Ive always wanted a fuel efficient car to drive as an alternative to my 15 RAM Ltd. From the minute I got inside I knew it was just the car for me! The drivers seat is very comfortable and roomy. The trunk is large and gives the car a bigger feel. The car has great acceleration to!

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  Awesome! - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Keith Rigdon - October 22 - 6:26 pm

  I am very impressed with the VW Touareg V6. Having owned many American model cars the Touareg provides my family and I with a sense of security and reliability when compared to its counterparts. The Touareg is a wonderful vehicle to drive. In fact, I am considering purchasing another Touareg.

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  You cant Have Mine - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ed - October 22 - 10:06 am

  Bought it new and after 60K have nothing but praise for this vehicle, and the warrantee that came with it. I havent paid for a thing other than gas, oil, breaks and new tires. A (slightly) noisy water pump was replaced for free under the 100K drive train warrantee, and thats it. The car still looks great, doesnt burn a drop of oil, is pretty easy to work on, fun to drive, is loaded with features uncommon in its price class, Gets 28/31 MPG, plenty of power and offers exceptional comfort for me @ 61", 215lbs and my family.

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  Golf - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By dleecycles - October 21 - 10:00 am

  This is a super fun drive. Lots of interior room with the seats down. The car gets pretty good gas mileage.