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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  Passat bests more expensive rivals - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By bbhall - October 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought a Passat GLX after comparing with Audi A4, Volvo S60, and Infiniti G35. The S60 is a stodgy drive, the rear seat not roomy enough to regularly hold 2-3 adults comfortably, and service costs are high. The Audi provided a similar driving experience but felt cramped, especially in the back, and the CVT made the car lurch and surge. The Infiniti is all about acceleration and handling, but ride is a bit rough and interior not up to the VW standard, and styling is a little kitschy. I paid more for the Passat, but I got the better car. Passat competes well with entry luxury brands and functions better as a family car.

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  Could improve in everyway - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Pierre B - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I liked the exterior design of the car, and thats what fooled me in to buying this one, first of all, it seems like it does not have a windshield, it is very noisy, and it kills gas, I get around 170 miles to the tank in the city and about 230 miles on highway, these are the real numbers, dont be fooled with 21 city 30 highway, if your grandma drives the car, you can save gas but if you try to keep up with everyday traffic you will consume around 12 mpg in city and 18mpg on highway.The trunk leaked water in the first month. And dashboard creaks from every point when its cold out and rattles when its warm, this maybe a lemon.

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  A luxury car! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By David Hargett - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I love my car! It is so well built. I feel very safe while driving it. It is one of the few cars on the market that has gone through a positive evolution. My dad had one when I was as child, and Im now 43! I consider my Beetle to be a luxury car despite its reasonable price! I have never received so much attention while driving a car. It gets many second looks, and positive compliments. Little kids often wave to me out their back windows while riding with their parents. Everybody seems to have a story about a Beetle they once owned or rode in. It is a car with allot of history behind it.

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  blue bug - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Blue Bug - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I love my convertible bug! However, the drivers window shattered due to a malfunction. Truly cant put alot in the vehicle but its a fun car!

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  Great and fun car - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By roger - October 3 - 11:56 pm

  I have owned a 2002 Jetta great car now I own a the best looking car on the road today . 2008 conv. Eos light blue, every one stares when I put the top down. Its so fun to drive I put 5000 miles on it the first month fast to watch out v-8s

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  Awesome machine everyone should owe one - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Ian - October 3 - 9:40 pm

  awesome performance best of german design a wonder to drive or be driven in just awesome

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  Beautiful car saved my life! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Scamp - October 3 - 4:56 pm

  Ok first of all this car, rather the VW engineeres saved our lives. My wife and I were involved in a head on collision with a Dodge Ram2500 4 dr. impact spped were well over 110+ mph. The impact sent us basically under the Dodge, ripping the rear end out from under the truck. My front bumper, windshield,left quarter, driver door were destroyed. Shattered front left rim. They flipped and rolled pinning occupants inside. As VW advertised our doors unlocked and hazards were applied after the crash. Despite the impact and severity of damage to driver side I was able to open my door and exit the once beautiful CC. No intrusion into the passenger compartment. This car saved our lives. Thank You !

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  Vrooooom! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By SKEEMEISTER - October 3 - 11:40 am

  Went to test VW Passats and was aimed to purchase a more economicaly solution to a new car (1.8T engine). After test driving all 3 engine types the W8 was the only option I could see worth my $$$. The engine is smooth and powerful enough for me at 275HP. Good MPG for an 8 cylinder(have gotten up to 25+ on the highways cruising). It rides like butter around town and on the freeway it is a dream. The AWD(4motion) coupled with snow tires handles like no car I have owned in the snow. The manu- tronic transmission is a but sluggish at times. Overall a great car with more than enough performance and luxury for me. Debadge the lid and you will defientley have a sleeper.

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  A new kive - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Lou - October 3 - 8:50 am

  Great car with many usable features. Drives great and has plenty of pick up to merge onto highway. The build quality is excellent. Owned an Audi A- 4 cabriolet before and the panoramic sunroof is excellent. The SEL package has all the need to have comfort features. It is a head turner all the time. The cargo room is plenty for almost all your shopping needs. The Sirius radio is a pleasant surprise as we havent played any CDs yet. The Wild Cherry color and 18" wheels make for a good looking car. Spend many hours researching the cars in this class and the Tiguan won even though it is more expensive. The gas mileage has been a little low however the foot in the turbo may the cause.

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  Fun to drive - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By Nancy - October 2 - 5:16 pm

  Initially the DSG transmission took some getting used. Its a fun car to drive and surprisingly quiet even on the worst roads. Ive had my car for over a year and am having a few problems with the convertible top. It doesnt seem to go thru the down process all the way. Then when I try to put the top up, I have to press the button down to complete the cycle and then pull the button up for the top to close. Im working with my dealer to get it squared away because the hard top convertible is the main reason I bought this car. All that said, I still love my EOS!!