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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  Touareg destined for Offroad - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Ravensmith - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Touareg with the intent of using it as a true SUV/SAV. It was for my wife to haul the kids around town, for us to go camping with, and for me to take offroad with my Jeep Friends. The air suspension is AMAZING and the torque the V6 puts out has kept me up with the best of them. Fear of scratching the paint is the ONLY think that keeps me from going some places. Ive been offroad on SEVERAL Difficult rated course throughout southern Califonia and the TRex will NOT let you down. Many Pictures with two wheels in the air and still moveing forward in a straight line! And the BRAKES!!! DAMN!!!

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  Passat GLS 1.8 Tip - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By lreven - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We love this vehicle. Gets looks! I miss the days when less people drove VWs.

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  I love this car! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jettalover - March 22 - 3:40 am

  We traded our 2003 TDI Jetta for the 2006 model at the end of last year, and we love it even more than our 03! Its much roomier and very comfortable on a trip. My daughter has much more room in the back than she did before as well. We get great gas mileage, and its actually quieter than the 2003 was.

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  Pretty Awesome for low 20k price tag - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jim Jones - March 21 - 3:04 pm

  Dont understand what the only other review left for the 2017 Passat even has to do with the car.. Clearly the TDI engine is NOT available anymore, but 1.8T is a workhorse if nothing else that provides a compliant and efficient drive. App connect software is great. Can buy one for 22k, which is great.

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  Outstanding Mini-van - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By JPT - March 21 - 1:10 pm

  Although there are many poor reviews of the Routan out there in cyberspace, most are written by folks who either havent driven or dont own one. It is a great van, and drives nothing like the Town & Country. This is our first mini-van and have nothing but great things to say about it. It is superbly comfortable, quiet, and for the money (compared to Honda/Toyota) it comes well equipt. On a recent 1000 trip, it averaged 25.2 mpg (running ~70mph), which is impressive for a 4000+lb vehicle. Its future remains uncertain (Chrylser in Chapther 11, talk of not producing more Routans) this is a top notch van and I would highly recommend it.

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  Owned SAAB Turbos - CC Much Much Better - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By chowchow - March 20 - 9:08 pm

  Having drivern Mercedes and Audis, the CC compares very favorably to both in terms of ride, handling performance and interior features but it tops both in terms of uniqueness and looks and affordability/value. If you are in the market for a Audi A 4 or a Merceders Benz C Class - and you do not care about the emblem on your ride - this car blends looks, ride, comfort and performance. The 2.0 turbo coupled with the DSG auto is far better than any SAAB turbo - I owned a 99 SAAB 9-5 2.3 LPT and a 99 SAAB 9.3 2.0 and while the 9-3 was fun to drive - it rode like a pick-up truck and offered few lux amentiies and while the 9-5 offered a refined ride and lux amenities, it was not much fun.

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  Great so far :) - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By nmallya - March 20 - 10:00 am

  So far running great..all of 5 days old

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  Best Car Ever - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By EosTRS - March 20 - 8:20 am

  If you want a fun, cheap and hot car, then the Eos is for you. I urge you to go out to you VW dealership and at least test drive one. This car is excellent. Buy one, if your wife will let you.

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  Great Value! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Hawk8485 - March 19 - 5:56 pm

  I have owned more than 25 cars, mostly Audis, Infinitis or BMWs, but this is the best purchase I have ever made. Not perfect, but for less than $16K, I bought a car that is fun to drive, solid, well built, and comfortable. Only options were the auto and the ESP. This car replaced my wifes Infiniti FX35 (rode very rough) as a stopgap until she decided what she wanted, then we would give it to our daughter. 2.5 years later, my daughter is still waiting b/c my wife will not give it up.

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  2006 Volkswagen Touareg V8 - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Chris - March 19 - 4:23 pm

  Both myself and my wife test drove the Caddilac SRX, Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi and Ford Explorer V8. After driving the VW, it was the hands down winner. The Touareg was the most comforatable, had the smoothest ride, the great acceleration and handling vehicle we drove. Couldnt wait to own it.