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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  First week ownership impressions - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By vegasjon - December 19 - 7:19 pm

  I traded my 2009 GTI for the 2012 CC Lux Plus PZEV last week. Initial impressions are pretty good. This is the same engine at the GTI- 2.0T. Interior is very nicely apointed with wood trim and leatherette (I assume this is faux leather?) but quality is fairly high. NAV and electronics are easy to use with the steering wheel controls or console. iPod hookup in the glovebox is nice, and the Bluetooth functionality allows for streaming music from a device - nice if you use Pandora or anything else on your handheld device. Suspension is tight, and with the long wheelbase makes for a decent ride. The exterior design is outstanding- I got the Black paint and it looks classy with the chrome trim.

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  Great Ride! - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By MATT MCGLASHEN - December 17 - 4:40 pm

  It gets about 15 mpg , not bad for a V8 and heavy vehicle. Great drive, great audio system, very luxurious inside. There have been several reliability issues, but I think after 2004 many things have been fixed. The power window switches are white plastic, painted black, the paint comes off easily. The air suspension had a new compressor put in at 22,000 miles and the tires are getting work out (19" Pirellis), gonna try Michelin next. A seatbelt seized up in the rear, and one headlight had a bad connection. I still love this car! It gets lots of compliments.

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  Performance? lack of. Features? Not bad. - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By FtySvn24 - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Honestly, at first i was hesitant on purchasing a used VW.. But after i took it for a ride, checked out the features, service records, etc. i have to say i was surpised. Never really liked VWs until i actually drove one. Handling is more than adequate on those windy roads, tho body roll in moderate. But having a lead foot and the need to get up and go once in awhile, the engine HP, lacks. But, despite the engine the rest of the car makes up for it. Not the car for everyone, or for long-term transportation.. The lack of power, gets boring.

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  Good car for awhile - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Christopher Bailey - December 16 - 2:43 pm

  When I purchased my 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, it only had 47,000 miles on it. Not bad considering it was already three years old, and there was only one owner before me. I put at least almost 40,000 miles on it in two years, and it has not been bad, but when I first got it the wheel alignment was so off that I had to replace the rear CV joints and purchased new tires TWICE for the rear. Volkswagen should keep manufacturing in GERMANY and stop being so what I call America Cheap. That is when large corporations instead of paying export fees opt to manufacture in less expensive countries, which turns out to be more expensive for the consumer. I have compared the 1996 with the 2003. Keep trying

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  2nd TDI I own: Spirited Driver! - 2012 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By monkfarm - December 13 - 5:43 pm

  Wonderful car! This wonderful car has it all: great braking, comfortable seats in front, great handling, adequate power, smooth shifting, great fuel economy. This car is fun to drive, it accommodates my leadfoot with great fuel economy (usually 41 with mixed city hwy with air conditioning, wife: 44.) I dont feel bad about cruising the speed I want to drive because Im not putting that much fuel in it. We have 3 dogs, and with luggage is fairly comfortable for long trips (210 miles to my folks.) The exterior design has grown on me. The back folds down into a smooth platform which the dogs love, and I carry supplies to my country home with ease. I love it!! 10,000 miles on it so far.

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  Its a good daily use car - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kevin0206 - December 12 - 1:28 pm

  I bought an used 2011 2.5 version. Its good for daily use, and it gives you power when you put in sport mode or manual. I like it.

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  2007 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dj - December 12 - 1:36 am

  Overall, I like the car but, they need to go back to the drawing board with the drivers seat. It is not comfortable if you have a short torso and I have to use a lumbar cushion if I drive very far. The seatbelt receiver is very low if you have to elevate the seat (it elevates up and forward) and it is so rigid (not like the flexible, higher version used for the passenger seat) that it causes the seatbelt "handle" to jab deeply into your hip and cause severe bruising. I am an average sized person and have never had this type of problem with any car that I have driven in 30 years. Be sure that you test drive the car with the seat adjusted to your fit and drive it around awhile.

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  Great Design But Unreliable - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Henry - December 8 - 9:53 am

  Weve had nothing but trouble with this car. Headlights need to be replaced every 3 months, check engine light has come on 5 times already- each requiring costly repairs, gas pumps stop fueling before tank is full, squirrel chewed through ignition wire, rear-seat ash tray opens inadvertently and recently fell out, turn signal fell out on left door, radio malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. Fortunately none of the issues so far have affected the core functions of the car.

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  Great Car, but Get a GOOD VW warranty - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By FastEddy - December 6 - 9:10 am

  Ive had the car for about a year now. Overall, this is a extremely competent luxury car. Good acceleration (not a burner, but fast enough), very smooth & quiet. The exterior is understated (which suits me just fine) & the interior is one of the best Ive seen (especially on an 04 car). Good attention to detail all around. The only drawbacks I can mention is Service & some reliability issues (mostly electrical gremlins - which arent uncommon in high end luxury cars). Combining the electrical issues w/ the fact VW technicians have little experience w/ the car can make service an exercise in trial & error & very costly if not covered under warranty(mine didnt cover much)

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  Fear and Loathing - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By 1stSUV - December 5 - 11:40 pm

  I bought a 2005 Touareg without researching after my first test drive. Nine days later, in the shop, I was given a loaner, and 30 days later a new 2006 model! The 2006 is a big improvement, fun to drive, and very comfortable. Its gas milage is horrible, but shes pretty. I wont buy another, but as long as she runs Ill realy enjoy her.