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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  FamilyOfFour - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By FamilyOfFour - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Reviewer: Perspective is that of a family looking for a fun but reliable car. Although this is a pleasant car to drive and is very nice for the family we have gotten to know the dealer much to well for having a car with only 50K miles on it. VW covered most items but the dealer service is awful. I would absolutely NOT recommend as a long term car. Do NOT buy used ... you are due to find many problems. See list below. Bad: Acceleration. Reliability: Side Mirror motor, cup holder (twice), airflow vent control, rear sear pasenger window, door misaligned, pulls to the left slightly ... dealer will never admit it.

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  bullet proof for the most part - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kolt - July 19 - 6:20 pm

  I have owned my jetta for about a year got it with 137k replaced the struts pads cleaned the rotors replaced the belts and got a new exhaust. Given how old the car was with the miles all that should be expected I now have 160k plus and Im replacing the clutch and motor mounts but the car Neva has left me stranded always starts is sweet in the snow and will eat a stock civic. With mods will keep up wit fast cars. Relatively cheap to fix if you can dyi. Its got a good amount of torque for carrying hills but not so much top end for speeding tickets if your looking for a decent looking out side a very Nice inside and and decent lil 4 banger this is what your want v-tec virtually tourqeless economy car

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  Great SUV needs refinement - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Giminetti - July 19 - 10:00 am

  A great all around performer. Good looks still turn heads, Impressive towing capacity, European sedan like ride, handling, and sound dampening. After looking for a solid vehicle that could tow my boat and be an every day driver, I couldnt find anything that came close.

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  outstanding value for its class - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By ron skotleski - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Why spend the money on a Audi Quattro when you can have the same thing for less. Good ride, good looks, affordable..

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  The car is cool!! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ldfuller - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive wanted a Beetle from the first time I heard about them. I got my wish. The only problems Ive had with the car were not because of manufacturing it was because the dealership sold me a car that had been damaged and repaired. I absolutely LOVE my Beetle. Everyone should drive one. Okay not everyone, Just me the PRINCESS :D

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  Money vacuum - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shelbyc2 - July 16 - 11:32 pm

  I had this car for three years, it had 200,000 miles on it. I like this car but it was in the shop at least every three months for some small things that cost a ton. Heated seats didnt work. Bad headlights. The only good thing about this car is defrosters. The MPG was 21 at best. When it wasnt in the shop it was an reliable car (key word when it wasnt in the shop). Personaly I would not buy this car I have heard that this car is a mechanics best friend because its there all the time. I got to know my mechanic very well because I was there all the time. I got a loan for $5000 when I bought this car I put that much if not more in it to fix the dumb thing. As soon as I paid it off we sold it

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  Stylish and cheap - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Diego - July 16 - 12:40 am

  Since I bought the car I had a great experience using a VW product. The car drives excellent, has a great steering sensation, not so much power but with the 5 speed tranny still gets a good speed. Brakes and shocks had a great feeling, and the fuel economy is great, even with the A/C on, and the equipment is fine. Changed engine due to flooding, but any other major problem

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  Rabbit Power - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By OnceHareless - July 15 - 3:06 am

  Just went from an 07 Corolla to the 09 Rabbit. Couldnt be happier. Great performing and sounding engine, nice handling with perfect body roll, extremely solid feel on the highway, fun to drive, roomy, excellent safety features, decent (but not great) stereo, nice transmission, and generally good looks make it a winner. The Corolla is a good, but very pedestrian car. The Rabbit literally blows it away in the "fun to drive" category and comes with all the standard safety features that make the difference.

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  Passat - dont own without a warranty - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sam70 - July 12 - 8:10 am

  The car is great while under warranty. At about 80k the cars starts to need maintenance and is expensive to repair. If you have this car buy an extended warranty

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  Blue Tiguan SEL 4 Motion - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Tom Shelestak - July 11 - 7:13 pm

  Outside and in suv is very nice. Couple of things I need to get use to. Needs better engine. Loved my former TDI Jettas power on the low end. Shift changing starting out is sometimes wacky when accelerating slowly. Trying to find the right gear?? Stop start engine at red light is different for me.Test drove Rogue, Cx-5, Honda, and both Subaru Suvs. This suv seems more refined less cluttered inside and simpler. I am older and heavier. Lotta room, seats comfortable.. adjustable back seat. Easy in and out of car. Very quiet and softish ride. Great steering and brakes. Less than 500 miles. Not exciting to drive but very competent. Multiple driving scenarios. I choose ECO. Havent played too much yet with them. Fits my driving style. 6 yr -72000 mile warranty!! Bought suv. All in all I love this vehicle a lot.