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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  So far, so good - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Tony - October 10 - 2:10 pm

  Ive had my 08 rabbit for almost a year now and havent had any major complaints so far. I actually like the placement of the iPod dock in the center console since it hides it from prying eyes. I dont like the way the radio system controls it though. The interior is nice (and very well laid out) and roomy and Im pretty tall. Everyone that has been inside the rabbit always comments on how much room they have, even in the back seat. The side panels on the interior do scuff pretty easily though, but they are also easy to clean. On the road it feels like a substantial car, but is easy to toss around.

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  Did I tell you, how much I love my bug? - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By happydazbugluvr - October 10 - 6:33 am

  I do! I love my bug! And our children do too! The children and I love the attention we get everywhere we go! I love driving my cute mellow yellow bug to work with the top down every morning. I wake up every day to a great day! I love, love, love my bug! Funnest and happiest car I have ever owned. I cant imagine my life without my bug!

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  Do NOT buy a VW - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By egrace - October 10 - 2:00 am

  VW of USA customer service is the worst. Dealerships (both Ive been to) are the worst. Reliability is not great. A lemon. Cant wait to sell.

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  Great Car!! Awful company!!! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By merlin101 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  My car is a darling. Until the check engine light comes on - then its a mystery until Im in the middle of traffic and I can no longer accelerate. Service is awful! No one should have to pay $45.00 for a light bulb change or $30 for wiper refills, or wait two months for a catalytic converter when your car has failed NJ state inspection emissions and you CANT DRIVE IT!!! Volkswagen service needs an improvement plan.

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  Love it - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By VW Driver - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. This is my third VW and I just love driving it. Its very different from my previous Civic. The Golf handles better, takes corners faster, less body lean, feels more solid than the flimsy Honda (although its a great car too.) Its no BMW, but it also doesnt costs like a BMW. The hatchback is just a bonus. When I flip down the backseats, the trunk space is huge, definitely a lot bigger than the trunk of a regular sedan.

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  Fun N Groovin - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Fun-N-Groovin - October 9 - 11:23 pm

  Love this car so far. We traded out of an 03 BMW 5 series and feel like we upgraded. The ride is quiet and comfortable, the engine is responsive on the highway, the back seat is roomier than what we had, especially legroom. The free Sirius satellite radio is a plus as well. Overall, we feel like we got a sweet ride for a lot less than what we could have spent on an equivalently equipped Audi or BMW. We purchased the mocha with tan interior and it is a great combo.

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  VW did well with the redesign... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By jamesd44 - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven the heck out of this car so far, and have had no problems within 25K miles. It is by far the most comfortable car Ive ever driven out of three that Ive owned (Acura, Cadillac, Chevy). Im a big fan of the styling and for a base model with some additional packages, I feel like I received an excellent value for what I paid. One beef is with the handling, I wish it werent so soft. My other drawback is the short warranty (I purchased an extended warranty to take care of that, though). All total (car + warranty) I paid less than $26K. The dealer was a pleasure to work with and their service dept. is the best.

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  New Beetle 2000 - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Peoria - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive had no serious problems with the vehicle, very satisfied. Great: value, ride, performance, comfort & reliability. Surprising versatility with hatchback design - carried lots of stuff that looked like it wouldnt fit. Only nuisance problem has been the oxygen sensors - hopefully rectified with the recent recall & repair.

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  Great Value! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By LSLBoiler - October 9 - 9:00 am

  If youre looking to replace an SUV, this is the car for you. It gets great gas mileage (32-33 hwy/24-26 city), has lots of usable and easily-accessible cargo room, and has a very comfortable ride.

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  Okay car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By IbiG82 - October 8 - 7:36 am

  I bought a new 2001 Jetta GLS 2.0L (4sp auto) back in OCT 2000. I have 85,000 miles on it now and still runs like a new. I dont think I had many problems with this car. But once, there was a window problem which VW dealer recalled and fixed and another one was the automatic shift knob didnt work because when you try to change gears youre supposed to step on the brake for safety, but that sensor broke. I think replacing that cost me around $150~200.. and some light came on but VW dealer took care of.. And thats about it... bad thing about this car is that rear space is too small. No rear leg room. Gas mileage is poor. 2.0L has only 115hp and only get 22/28 miles per gallon.. weak engine