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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  Do NOT buy this SUV if you live where the wind blows! - 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
  By geophyz - September 3 - 3:04 am

  I have had my beautiful Touareg for a little over a year. The colour is lovely, I love the leather seats and the basic layout. The car gets good gas mileage and has loads of get up and go. BUT, if you live anywhere that the wind blows do not buy this car. It does not hold the road in the wind and is so light you feel like it is going to blow off the road. I am trading it in for a good old heavy SUV this weekend!

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  expensive repairs - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By FRANK - September 2 - 7:33 pm

  i bought this car brand new. loved the design and the roomy interior. the glx has many options that the 2008 have. the front brakes were very expensive $750 at the dealer and rear brakes $600. the electronics gave me lots of trouble a module failed and cost me $800 and engine light $300.

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  Most fun Ive ever had - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By prettygood - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I wasnt looking to buy a Beetle when I was shopping for a car. But after buying one, I dont know if I can go back. The engine is amazing, the interior is very comfortable (the heated seats are a must, and the overall interior look is addictive. Strangers smile and wave at you just because of the car. Most people would not consider a bug because of the looks, but everyone I know has become a fan of my car.

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  Winter fun in Style - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By loyalist - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I love the style of the automobile. It looks great inside and out. I sell real estate and wanted a car that would present a respectable and professional image, and impress but not intimidate my clients. This car shines in winter driving. One time, early on, driving on freezing rain I did a bit of a four wheel drift, but within a few days I became one with this car. I did not use studded tires this past winter- it did not need them. The stock Michelins are awesome all season tires- the car seems to stop and corner as well or better than my 1996 Passat GLX did this past winter with studs. This is a great car for our family.

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  I Cant Hear You - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Doc - September 1 - 4:26 pm

  The poor Beetle suffers. Its gas mileage has been less than I expected, lots. Wind noise? Try wind tunnel! What about the power top, eh? You have to manual twist your wrist off! Trunk? Forget it because the top gets in the way. Leg room in back, not if I drive. Take my car, please! Next time Ill get a Honda, Saab, or the Nissan Z.

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  EXCELLENT VALUE in TDI form - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By mtlangley - September 1 - 7:16 am

  Fit and finish is great, as with most german made autos!! Drives like a sports car, but feels like a luxury car on the inside. If your going to buy one you should opt for the TDI it gets real 48 mpg on the highway!! The TDI also comes loaded, the only options I added was moonroof and bluetooth at 1200 extra for both. If your thinking hybrid, take a look at this clean burning diesel (WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR) you wont be disappointed!!

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  Great SUV - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By RVW - September 1 - 1:56 am

  I bought the 2004 model (V8) earlier this year and I love it. Excellent build quality, ride, and interior comfort. I live in Brooklyn and it is still turning heads when I drive it. Only two problem - the Radio/CD player and a quick hood latch issue. The Radio / CD had to be swapped out three times, but this does not surprise me as I had the same exact issue w/ my 2002 1.8T Jetta. I dont know where VW sources their radios/ CDs from, but they need to check build quality or installation. Hood latch was fixed in ten minutes & otherwise a non-issue. Clock also runs fast about 1 min. per week - I always have to reset it!

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  Fuel Filler Issue - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Roady - August 31 - 2:10 pm

  I like my TDI very much but there is an issue with finding a small automotive diesel fuel fill nozzle in rural areas. The big nozzles used at truck stops and most small town gas stations that sell diesel will not fit in the TDI fuel filler opening. When in dire need I have held the big nozzle against (not in) the opening and slowly added fuel. This is hard to do because the truck flow rate is also much higher than the VW can accept - so an overflow onto your shoes is very likely. Because of several bad experiences I always start looking for an automobile diesel pump way in advance of running out. McGyver-types will figure out how to survive but this is something that needs consideration

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  No trouble at all - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Tara - August 31 - 2:03 pm

  I have a yellow bug for a year now and I have no trouble with it yet. I just love the bug. It has a lot of miles on it and I am afraid one day the bug is going to give up so I am thinking of selling it and getting a Volkswagen Cabrio.

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  WOW! Best New Vehicle Ive Owned! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ron - August 31 - 1:53 am

  My VW Jetta is everything I expected it to be. The fit and finish are first rate. No rattles or odd noises. The ride is right on target for a vehicle this size and the handling is great. The HUGE trunk is a very big plus. My fuel economy has been much better than stated on the sticker. Traveling through New England in October of 2007, and traveling on major roads along with the various State Police crusers at 80 mph, I got 34.5 mpg. The fuel milage was calculated from the last fill up and the amount of fuel needed to fill up again. Ive owned Saabs etc., but for the money, you just cant go wrong with a VW Jetta. It feels like a very expensive car, but at a working mans price.