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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  Youll Have to Pry My Hands Off of It - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lynn - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car "slightly used" with about 7K miles on it. I absolutely love it. I regularly get over 40 mpg and have gotten a few tanks over 50! One was 55 mpg! Its fun to drive, quick enough and looks good. My wife would have liked a little more interior room and an automatic but I plan to keep driving it a lot longer. Only significant repair has been the timing belt at 100K, as recommended. Fun to cruise along knowing Im getting 40-50 mpg passing jacked up 4WDs getting single digits!

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  Worst Car ever owned - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Arash - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car from The Autobarn VW of Mount Prospect by seller ViC. THIS CAR IS JUNK .IF YOU LOOKING TO BUY CAR STAY FAR AWAY FROM VW .from the fist day I got this car about 2 years ago till now I have problem with it. I almost Chang all part of the car and finally I trad a car this week with Honda and one more time This car is a piece of junk.Ill never get another VW and I never recommended to any one.

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  Love My TDI! - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TurboTDI - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Got my Jetta TDI a couple of weeks ago. I cant stop smiling when driving it and I cant stop looking up more info on what others say about their love for the TDI. Wanted a Sportswagen but the great deal I got on the sedan was unbeatable - 0% financing for 66 months fro VW Credit. Thoroughly enjoyed my experience with Emich VW in Denver. My wife and two sons love going on drives with me. Hoping winter driving in it goes well, but have heard good reports (used to driving 4wheeldrives). Thank you VW for all of the fun, safety, performance, MPGs! My 3rd VW in 26 years. Cant beat the enjoyment of all of my v-dubs.

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  What A Steal! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By VdubCrzy - May 26 - 1:43 am

  Just bought the 2007 Passat Wolfsburg edtion and I couldnt be happier! This is my third VW, two 2 Jettas and now this. The 2007 Passat is a drivers dream on a limited budget. When comparing this vehicle to others in the same class, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and Acura, I was amazed at the amount of money I was able to save while still being able to ride in style. Heated leather seats, navigation, 6 disc CD changer, Tiptronic transmission, and a ton of safety features at no additional cost - how could you not fall in love. Its a NO brainer!!

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  Gotta Love the DSG! - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Curt - May 25 - 12:26 pm

  I like driving sporty cars with manual gearboxes. I never thought I would give up the thrill of shifting. But then, I test drove the GTI with the direct shift gearbox and I fell in love with it. The paddle shifters on the steering wheel give the same thrill as doing the clutch thing. But there are times when you just want to let the car take over. On the other hand, drop the shifter into sport mode, step on the pedal and hang on! What a rush! The fit and finish are superb, like all my VWs of the past. I also love the exterior styling. This car looks like it is always in motion. I never would have considered the GTI an option until they came out with the 4-door version.

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  Farfrumpumpin VW Golf TDI - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Steves TDI - May 25 - 8:43 am

  Ive owned this car for 4 years and I think it just may be the best car Ive ever owned. It gets great gas milage, 40/51. It has had no maintenance issues. I just change the oil every 5,000 miles. Its comfortable, responsive, and fun to drive. When this one wears out at 500,000 miles, or maybe a million miles Ill gladly sell it and buy another. I live in upstate NY and winter weather worries with a diesel have never been an issue for me.

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  Dont Buy the 2006 Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tim Maynard - May 24 - 11:10 am

  I bought my Jetta and it has had a rough idle since about 4,000 miles. I have taken it to the dealer four times in over four months. They have not been able to repair it. The last time they said they were not able to repair it at this time. I filed a lemon law complaint with the BBB, and was denied due to the fact that it was not a serious enough problem. So now I am stuck with a lemon and I cant do anything with it. Talk about a waste of $22,000 dollars. Do yourself a favor, and stay away from the 2006 TDIs. Look at TDI club and search for 2006 rough idle and see all the other unhappy owners.

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  Just bought... Amazing Vehicle - 2011 Volkswagen Golf
  By djali79 - May 24 - 7:49 am

  This is an amazing vehicle. MPG is huge and it feels like you are driving a far more expensive car, especially at night when you can see the illumination of the cockpit. Customization options abound - love the details, like being able to adjust the lighting level of the footwell area. Just one example of getting what you pay for. This is my first german vehicle and I think I am sold on VW moving forward if they can offer these types of products moving forward. You will not be sorry if you buy this car!

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  In love! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Eden - May 24 - 3:59 am

  Favorite car! Great price and has everything I need in a car! I love it! Highly recommend!

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  Bye-Bye STi - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By David Bond Jr. - May 24 - 1:46 am

  Last year I had to go down to one car. I thought a Subaru STi Limited would satisfy my need for scalding performance, reliability, a warranty and 4 doors. After driving the STi daily for a full year, I realized that driving a race car to work every day was not as much fun as it sounded. The GTI is fantastic; quiet, refined, good ride, handles exceptionally well for a front driver. This car makes for a great enthusiastss daily driver. The Autobahn package is worth every penny. The car swallowed a a surprising amount of stuff on a trip to the home improvement store [including a 7 long mailbox post via the pass through], with two kids in the back. A great vehicle.