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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  Gotta get a GLI - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By difran111 - July 13 - 6:43 am

  Just came off-lease on a 2001 Jetta GLS VR6 and I had to have another. Thought about buying my 01 until I got behind the wheel of the 04 GLI VR6. This car is a beast...love the beefed up 24v engine, 6-spd manual and 17-inch alloys. Like my 01 Jetta, the fit, finish, quality of my 04 GLI are exceptional. VW continues to impress with affordable performance!!

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  Love this! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mmills - July 11 - 5:13 am

  Even though we bought the value package, it still has some great features. Power windows and doors and remote entry are really great! For a 4 cyl. it still drives nice. It fits our three kids in the back with one booster seat. Lots of trunk space!!! We bought new and have had no problems. It is the perfect small car for us. My husband is tall and I am really short and it is very comfortable for both, unlike the Honda. I felt like I was in a Low rider. The Jetta makes me feel taller and more comfortable. Would (and have) recommend this car to others.

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  An awesome ride - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By R. Simmons - July 11 - 4:26 am

  I love my Passat. Its the second Volkswagen that I have owned. It is so comfortable, has excellent handling - it feels really good on turns and while cruising the freeway. The inside is perfect. Everything is within reach. The wood trim is so cool. The car definitely feels German inside and out. Just wish it got better mileage.

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  4 faults at 3000 miles! - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Mikesan - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I wish I could love it. At 3000 miles I have the following problems with my 03 MV: Fuzzy sounding speakers, Heater/AC blower does not work, driver side window washer doesnt work, peeling plastic on the driver side door handle. I actually prefer my 2000 GMC Safari for comfort, but its near the end of the warranty cycle, so its for sale. Keeping the VW because of the still-fresh warranty.

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  Better than an SUV - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By ShrinerMonkey - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Great looking and equiped car for the money, basically an Audi but for thousands less. However, the build quality leaves a lot to be desired, squeeks and rattles abound and are very hard to fix. The turbo lag of the 1.8T is annoying and the engine is noisy. The MAF sensor went out at 32,000 miles ($500 to replace). The rear seats are a major hassle to fold down and the glove box and cup holders are a joke. The headlights are also dangerously underpowered on their low beam setting. Overall a good car, but disappointing build quality and reliabilty.

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  very nice suv - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By twgvg - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Best riding and quitest suv I have driven

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  Wonderful SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By markchurch - July 10 - 10:00 am

  After seeing the Toureg I tried to not to fall in love with it. But once I test drove it I was a gonner! I am still being amazed by some of the thoughtful features I continue to discover each time I drive it. This is the SUV Mercedes should have built.

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  Helluva Car - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By kcmwdc - July 10 - 10:00 am

  After 2,000 miles, car is just great. Have Audi A8 with similar engine. Both awsome. However, shifting from D3,D2,D1 or back up again, car goes into "no where land". Punch the gas, nothing. Also, nobody can figure out how to install XM Satellite Radio.

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  Test Drove them ALL - VW Wins - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Herr Schmidt - July 10 - 7:30 am

  This is the first new car my wife and I ever bought. As it is her car, I had her test drive every possible car on the market, from GMs to BMWs. Family to sports cars. She said she wanted the VW Passat TDI. I went with her and took it for a drive. Roomy and handles like a sports car. Excellent brakes, excellent everything. Now have 100k on the car and not even a hint of anything wrong. We will keep this one until we cant drive any longer.....in about 20 years!!

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  Worst Car I Ever Owned - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Help help help - July 10 - 12:56 am

  Many, many, problems with this car. Repairs are often and expensive, most of which only VW can do. Just in the last 15 months, valve body $2600, over heat $440, AC cooling fan $625, new water pump $920. There have been many other issues, rear joint berrings, engine light coming on, cheap plastic on the interior, broken knobs, broken armrest, door handle material peeling off, radio quits and only VW has the special key to replace fuse, greasy insulation oozes from doors. And there were a half dozen recalls in the first couple years, power windows, brakes, etc. The resale on this car is terrible, once the warranty is out it depreciates much faster the other brands.