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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  Texas Tornado (Red) - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By Kevin - August 16 - 10:10 am

  Have about 1,700 miles on my ride. Love going 500+ miles per tank before even thinking about fueling. Avg mileage since purchase is 41.4 mpg although mostly highway. Best leg on a 31 mile one way commute is 46.8! Plenty of power and if more is needed, all I need to do is downshift. I got the cloth seats...car is comfortable, and remarkably quiet. Summer in Texas has been plenty hot, and the A/C cools fast and keeps me comfortable on low fan. Build quality appears to be rock solid, love my VW!

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  Best car I ever owned! - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Gravel Gertie - August 15 - 3:16 pm

  Husband & I bought this great diesel auto on a whim . Traded our 4 Runner in on it and Ill drive it till the wheels fall off. We get 50 MPG and will pass anything on the road. Has a manual tranny and that makes it more fun !! AND I still get 50 MPG with the A/C running! Why they stopped making them is beyond me! I love this car --- and it still has the original battery, going strong.

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  Bentley Car for VW Money - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By TJ - August 14 - 11:36 pm

  I have had everything there is to drive in a luxury car, and this is without a doubt the most bang for the buck anywhere! Sure, there are more expensive cars, but whatever those cars may offer over the VW doesnt come close to justifying its price. The car is AWESOME. To quote Ferris Beuller "It is so choice, if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up"

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  No Detail Missed - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Bart - August 14 - 2:00 pm

  Its in the details. This car compares to cars much more expensive; like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. The attention to detail is outstanding. Every where you look it is finished off with high quality materials and exceptional design thought behind it. The ride is silky smooth, yet the handling is awesome. Handles awesome in snow, a lot better than my Honda Odyssey. If you care about details and high quality, this is the car for you, unless you want to spend 20 grand more for the same thing with a fancy name.

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  Needed new engine at 7,720 miles - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Portero - August 14 - 10:50 am

  I was a big fan of this car until the "check engine" light came on at about 7,700 miles. It started to drive like it was using 4 cylinders instead of 6. The dealer says that they arent sure exactly what went wrong, but one piston ring seems to be defective...so they are replacing the engine. I just hope that it runs like new when I get it back.

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  Triumph Of Human Ingenuity... - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By NJOwner - August 14 - 10:00 am

  That mankind is capable of producing such a technologically advanced automotive machine must be recognized at the highest levels of human achievement. Safety, Performance, Style, Function, and Luxury was refined with such careful thought and precision. After test-driving an ML500, BMW X5, Lexus GX, and R.Rover, this is the vehicle of choice for my new family, at any price. The Touareg feels like the best of my Porsche and my wifes Mercedes plus more. Marlboro man waved us down today, for a look. He grinned and asked "How many horses?" 310, I said. In a puff of smoke, he replied "Man, that is a beautiful machine!"

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  Definetly a good Purchase - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By roc - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I had a vw passat, but changing to the touareg it has kept my face smiling since the day i got it. is an amazing vehicle.

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  I Love this SUV!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Punkman18 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  It has been a wonderful ride! This car is very comforable, very economy and very luxurious. I enjoy the handling and especially the off-road capability it has. Helps a lot especially during flooding.

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  MY car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Light - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR! This is The most fun to drive. I look for excuses to take highway trips just so I can be in my Passat. Her name is Luna and shes a beautiful Dolphin Grey. I used to think it was weird that guys named their cars...until I met my Luna.Ive fallen in love with the American lanscape again and even drove this all the way from Michigan to Santa Fe and back- ALONE- and Im a 49 year old woman. It makes you feel safe, confident and dare I say it...young! This car screams- "LETS TAKE A ROAD TRIP"!

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  greatest car my son went nuts over - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Shadi - August 14 - 10:00 am

  awsome acceleration, love the new lights great automatic transmition nice fabric,great radio, perfect.