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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  W8 Passat Review - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By VW Man - June 16 - 1:00 pm

  This car has given me nothing but joy since I bought it. The design is great and the comfort super. Also, for a V8 engine is is remarkably fuel effcient. They are hard to come by, but well worth the extra effort to find one.

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  Excellent ownership experience - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Fishman - June 16 - 3:46 am

  Hands down the best car Ive ever purchased. Traded in my A6. The Passat still looks great even after 2 years and 22,000 miles. The only problem Ive had is the windshield washer not working which the dealer fixed right away. Other than that just regular maintenance. Im getting first class treatment from the dealer. They treat me better than the Audi dealer (Don Rosen) ever did. I am using regular gas and still getting 36 mpg on the highway, 25 mpg around the neighborhood. The interior is so solid. Not one creak or rattle. It has been a pleasure to drive and I will definitely be looking at the Passat CC next year.

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  Transmission Problems With My 1997 VW - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vdubbub8403 - June 15 - 7:30 pm

  I bought my car 2-3 years ago and I have had nothing but trouble with the transmission slipping it started out something I can deal with but has just gotten worse threw time I think I have spend more money on this car than I paid at the dealership. I got an estimate on it $3000 to replace the transmission. Forget it I will go buy A Honda are A small truck I have heard that there is issues with this year and other years I wish I would of knew that before wasting my money I have always liked VW but I have lost all respect for them know

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  hope its not a lemon - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By vin - June 15 - 4:30 pm

  Just purchased brand new rabbit 2009 5 min after leaving dealership check engine light goes on when trying to merge on the highway car lost power pressing gas & car actually slowing down lasted almost a minute not long but very scary just the same. Drove it back to dealership they gave a rented car while they diagnose the problem not a good start especially since its brand new Im hoping this is the first and last problem..

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  grey ghost - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By dale madden - June 15 - 10:32 am

  Comfortable with lots of room and a huge trunk. Simple controls. Fun to drive. Acceleration and brakes are a little touchy. This is my second VW and they still havent gotten rid of the rattles. Going to have to take it to the dealer to see if they can fix the one in the drivers door cause its driving me nuts. But I still love the car. Good value.

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  Just perfect - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By rulerofthemoon - June 14 - 6:16 pm

  Had the car for about 3 weeks and could not be happier. Its the perfect combination of sporty fun and practical comfort. The convertible hardtop is stunning to watch and will sell you on the car. Interior noise is what youd expect for this car ... unlike the soft-tops I drove that just were too loud with the roof up. Get the upgraded floor mats ... adds a nice touch. The Komfort trim is VERY well equipped. The Lux version is a considerable premium but some items, like steering wheel controls, are useful.

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  Bad Decision - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By bauerinav - June 14 - 5:39 pm

  Bought a 2005 Passat in Nov, 2010 (less than 2 months ago). Its been in the shop 5 times already with the engine light on. Each time its supposedly fixed, yet within 2 weeks the light is back on again. Thank God its still under warranty - car only has 60k miles on it! Issues have been:misfire, MAF, oxygen sensor, computer update, and vacuum seal. Im beginning to think the car will need to be traded in before the warranty expires! VW has not been helpful at all. Wanted a vehicle with a great service department - have yet to experience that. Shouldve kept my Saturn - at 150k miles it had less issues!

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  Best car yet - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rodney Trail - June 14 - 10:06 am

  I had driven company cars, one new one every 16 months, now have my own Jetta TDI Special Edition, its the best car i have ever owned, fantastic vehicle

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  Good deal!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By bonded2u - June 14 - 6:40 am

  All around great bang for the buck.

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  337 - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By rugby - June 14 - 2:00 am

  this is the best volkswagen ever built. i just bought a 2002 gti 337 and this car is great.