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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  Very pleased - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Larry Reemtsen - June 1 - 6:10 am

  It far exceeded my expectations and I used to manage a BMW center. You know your in a German car. I drive L.A. traffic to do what I do and the freeways are a great test and will reveal a cars weaknesses and attributes. I drove the civic first and found it too under powered at 140 HP. The Jetta with 170 gets you there quick and can handle the Harbor Freeway well. Great gas mileage as well. My delivery at Pasadena VW was perfect.

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  Best bang 4 the buck - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Joel - May 31 - 8:23 pm

  This car drives and performs great, the fuel economy is excellent. I previously owned a MK4 GTi and it was a great car but this one is far better, good job VW.

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  Love it - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Feng - May 31 - 12:53 am

  make a test driving and bought it in 20 min. I like the total new style. This car feels like luxury car. The price package was very attractive ($37140), which was below invoice price.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jj - May 30 - 6:30 pm

  The Touareg on paper looks like the ultimate SUV: excellent perfomance on pavement and unbelievable off road ablility. The problem: it will be in the shop so often you will not be able to experience this theoretical performance very often. Over the first year of owning this car I have had multiple problems: stepper motor malfunction, poor remote range, door handle fell off, bizarre deafening fan noise that I was told is "normal", persistent wind noise from side mirrors, and others. And going to a VW dealer for repairs is no joy. They have no clue about customer service. The attitude of the service dept. is accusatory at best- like i caused all of the quality control problems. STAY AWAY TOUAREG.

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  Good car but only fail quality - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By mikes15 - May 30 - 7:56 am

  I like the car’s slick exterior design--It looks very cool. The interior is nice too as long as you don’t need to seat 5 people. It’s a coupe so the back seats are a bit tight. It’s a great car for someone who needs a backseat and 4 doors but won’t use t often. I’m not sure about the reliability. Within the first few hundred miles the engine started to knock. Also, a screw fell out on the door after I hit a speed bump. I’m leasing and have all service covered so I’m not too worried about it, but beware. more...

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  I love this car - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By VaSean - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Im surprised to read about the problems others are having, since Ive had absolutely no problems with mine. Engine, clutch, computer, electrical window problems? Never. This is one...great...car.

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  1999 Passat - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By rossdarrel - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Return to VW after 15 years of Honda & Toyota was a concern due to reliability woories. Passat has been a very solid, very reliable sedan. Pleasure to drive, Very quiet. 31 mpg overall on recent 1100 mile trip with lots of 80 mph stretches.

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  My VW Rocks! - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By v-dubber - May 27 - 8:40 am

  This is a great solid car. You get the convenience of a sedan but with more personality and fun. Its roomier than previous models. Trunk space is great, and grocery hooks are handy. The tire pressure monitor is a plus. The low profile tires are a little sticky, so rides on the highway can be bumpy and uncomfortable for some. The premium fuel recommendation could be pricey even with the good gas mileage. Im a little concerned with VWs past reliability history, but so far Ive been pleased. I chose this over the Acura TSX because I like the sportier feel and its features for price. I actually dont mind the drive to work!

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  Love this car - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By JKeiser - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car in 2003, only a couple years old and already had 66k on the odometer. 7 years and 120k later, this car is starting to show its age, but its still quick, agile, and very comfortable. even at over 180k, the engine feels great. like any german car, it requires a little more tlc. change the timing belt when youre supposed to, and dont freak out everytime the check engine light comes on. i may have just gotten a good one, but the only major repairs ive had have been in the last 30k miles or so. ABS controller, tie rods, shocks. like most cars at its age, its becoming to expensive to maintain, so ill be trading it in. i guarantee i will cry, this has been a great car.

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  Horrible quality - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed - May 26 - 10:00 am

  German engineering and quality at some point in time was stellar. Not so with this vehicle. In the shop more than on the road and finally have had enough. 7 years of ownership and real pain all along. Great vehicle when it works, but a very expensive experience. Now changing and looking at Asian brands exclusively. How times have changed when a Kia is more appealling quality wise then a VW.