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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  Just What I Was Looking For - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Pepino - April 3 - 5:26 am

  This vehicle is everything its comparable rivals are plus more. The hard top is obviously the biggie, however the additional sunroof (huge) is the extra. Closed, the outside noise is low and youd never know it is a convertible. The bells and whistles are abundant and you get a great bang for your buck. The base is more than what the other can even touch for the price. Yes it can be expensive, but it is a great built vehicle and a blast to drive.

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  A step up from the old Jetta IV - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DiAntonio - April 2 - 7:50 pm

  Bought this 2006 Jetta as soon as I saw it on the lot. Traded in my 2000 GLS 2.0 Jetta for it. Im very impressed by the improvements in this design. HP is up, ride quality is improved, and the interior is more spacious and better designed than my 2000 model. I purchased the 2006 2.5 model with package #2 with XM radio...nice features, along with the cold weather package (heated seats, and mirrors)...everything was well thought out in design, and nothing looks like an "afterthought". I wanted the Jetta over the B6 redesigned Passat as Im not ready for a larger car than the Jetta, nor do I need one. Im waiting for the aftermarket to catch up to put new wheels on it, but thats it. A+

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  Great But Flawed - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By David Stieg - April 2 - 3:16 am

  I love the EOS since the day I have purchased it. Get great gas mileage, normal is 33 to 35 mpg. Compared to other hard top convertibles this is the best buy fo the price. Only issue is the top fails all the time, I have to take it to the dealership and have them do an adjustment to the cable to make it go down. Dealer says after 12,000 miles i have to pay to get it fixed which is silly for a convertible. the first time i get it but the third time is a pain. If you buy this car make sure your dealer cover this for at least the full length of the warranty. No bluetooth on this vehicle was a poor design and need to have the factory reset the engine light with every 5000 mile oil change is bad

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  Complete Package, Zoom, Boom and Wow - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Chowdhury - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Really fun to Drive. I bought the car at 43000 miles. I have already put in close to 3000 miles. Still feels like I am driving brand new car.

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  Dads Silver Bullet - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By leopard4003 - April 2 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have evered owned!!! It beats Mercedes-Benze,Acura and Honda. It wins hands down over a Lincoln LS in all areas. It aint no Beatle. It goes and handles like a Leopard. I live in mine and its the best riding and handling car period.

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  Driving my jetta gives me a volkgasm - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vwgrl26 - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car, will only drive volkswagons from now on. I love it!!!!

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  Passat better then ever - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By bobb - April 2 - 12:33 am

  I love my Passat. I have put 5,400 miles on it already; city and travel with 26.4 mpg. This is the second Passat that I have owned. Nitpicks: cruise control lever easily knocked, front of seat cushion not adjustable, key is clunky and may cause problems with lockout. Otherwise car is a full 10.

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  Eos - A Great, Fun Car - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By vwjonathan - March 31 - 2:30 pm

  I waited until the car had been out 6 months and got a 2.0 T in May 2007. The car is a head-turner, fun to drive, and gets better than 30 mpg on the highway. The "wow" factor on this car is a 10 - no other car in the world has a sunroof (panoramic) built into the convertible top. The completely hands-free operation of the top turns this stunning coupe into a sleek, topless car in about 20 seocnds. Even with the top down, there is pleny of room for overnight bags and a laptop. And believe it or not, you really get a back seat that fits adults. The car handles like a true sports car, has a great 50K mile warranty, and will make your neighbors jealous.

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  comfortable - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Wayne Fang - March 31 - 10:00 am

  It is very comfortable and fun to drive. It is one of my best decision to buy Passat.

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  Incredible! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By clarkma5 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  The GTi is the best car ever. My aunts BMW 325i doesnt even come close....it is way to numb and uninvolving, unlike my GTi, which begs to be tossed around corners, and feels like an part of yourself when you get into driving it. Build quality inside and out is perfect, and is supposedly better if the car is from Germany (Mine is Brazilian, although the drivetrain is from Germany). The engine is excellent; the turbo comes on just below 2000 RPM, which makes for quite a rush. The car gets very good mileage considering its power output. The suspension is a bit soft for my tastes, but I dont have the 17" wheels. Remember, the GTi is also veddy practical....5 adults and stuff, no prob.