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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  Value for Dollar Spent - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jschade - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Own two Jettas and a Passat, like the Jetta driveability and road feel better!

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  Love it - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tom - September 21 - 9:10 am

  Bought the 07 value edition not long after they came out in 06. Had minor computer issues initially, but otherwise the last year and half have been trouble free. Bought the silver one, tinted the windows and upgraded the wheels and tires and it really is a beautiful car. Have taken it on several long trips and my wife and daughter love it, very comfortable, quiet, plenty of room and averages about 31 mpg at 75 mph. Turbo engine is excellent - cant imagine why anyone would want the 6 cylinder.

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  The 50-mile review - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By nkanafan - September 20 - 5:43 pm

  This is a 50 mile "first impressions" for my GTI autobahn, DSG, 4dr. The plethora of positive reviews online are right: excellent build quality, amazing driving dynamics, quiet smooth ride for size, excellent brakes, and great looking with a squat, low stance. The DSG takes getting used to and does feel hesitant at first but "squirts" you around town. As with previous GTIs, torque is abundant. I put two boosters and a nine year old in the back no problem! They are skinny though. Issues. There are a few minor ergonomic foibles. With the correct driving position for me, the steering wheel obstructs the top of speedo. Some controls are too low and parts of them cannot be visualized.

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  dont buy an eos - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By apbtkid - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought a brand new (08) EOS and all Ive had is problems!!! I will never buy a VW ever again. VWs oil consumption standards are so low stating that it is "allowable" and "acceptable" for my EOS to burn through .5 quarts every 600 miles (4 qts per 4800) and until it exceeds that, VW and the dealer wont repair or address this issue. My car holds 4.9 quarts of oil, that means that if I were to wait the reccommended 5000 miles in between oil changes my car would be nearly out of oil. It has ran out of oil twice so far and unless I keep oil in the trunk and keep adding it it will continue to burn through oil like crazy. I Never buy a VW!

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  6 Month Review - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By NMar - September 18 - 8:46 am

  After researching what kind of SUV I wanted, I decided on the Tiguan. Happen to be in Florida on vac, they had a good deal, I bought and drove the car to New York. Drive was a lot of fun. Vehicle seems solid, firm ride. I get asked about it by passerbys. Brake is very responsive, quite interior. Some minor issues I do have: motorized driver reclining seat, but manual pump lever to elevate and move seat..why not motorize all, summer humidity seems to bring out a bad smell from air exhaust when its not on a/c, engine is powerful, but there seems to be a delay in responsiveness when u go from braking to quickly accelerating, but then it eventually picks up when you press harder on the pedal

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  LOVE IT! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By MHH - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I loved it from the first time I saw it and knew I had to have it. Its classy and has so many standard features. No others can compare. We got lots of snow this year and I am so impressed with its competency in all weather conditions. I have a very steep driveway and it walked right up, no problem.

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  my jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By oscar2056 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Its an ok car i like it i wish it were cheeper to keep up and and didnt have as many problems

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  Nice car - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By bullis1 - September 11 - 7:43 pm

  Good overall car, gets good mpg on the highway 30+ with the VR6. Fender sound system real good. No Xenon lighlights on a car that cost $36k. Navigation is extremely slow. Trunk extremely deep.

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  No Regrets but not perfect - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By navitor - September 11 - 3:16 pm

  We owned our Passat wagon for almost 5 years and 52,000 miles. Overall this has been a good car. My wife loved it for hauling around our first child for the first 4 years then I got it when we put her in a Honda Odyssey for hauling our two kids. I used it as a commuting car into Houston from the burbs or to the park and ride. The car has a nice tight steering feel and great suspension. The overall ride quality is very good. I think the instruments are good and not too complicated which I have often read. The engine was good but the car felt a little underpowered at times with the AWD. I would generally recommend this car.

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  Over Priced Niche Car - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By fuscia - September 11 - 11:50 am

  bought used in 2002, Im so disappointed. Ive literally watched my car disintegrate around me. Im a fastidious car owner and keep my cars clean. Ive had electrical issues, the interior has been disintegrating since the day I bought it used. The window switches break, the weird rubber dash coating scratches easily, the vinyl interior is coming away from the door, hatchback wont close properly,fog light bracket broke,water pump melted, the suspensions shot after 7 yrs normal driving, speakers are starting to crackle after normal volume levels, the emergency brake rusted thru within 3 yrs,the brakes stick and wear the pads down. The car is meant to be looked at not driven on a daily basis