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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  2012 VW CC - Disappointed - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By g_rapp - April 16 - 5:17 pm

  Purchased my CC pre-owned certified with 22k miles from dealer. Brakes failed while driving (bad vacuum booster) after one month. Avoided accident and Corporate said they could not offer any compensation because i did not get into an accident. Three more warrantee-related issues in next four months. Now arguing with corp and dealer to sell back the car, and they insist on only offering trade in value so they can resell at a profit. Although it does not qualify for the lemon law, this car is a true lemon. I have driven most VW models as loaners while CC is in the shop, and one of those broke down while in my possession. So much for German Engineering. Back to Mazda i go.

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  Ive Had Mine a Year, Time To Review... - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Eric - April 16 - 3:53 pm

  I bought this car even though I knew all about VWs terrible reputation for unreliable build quality, overpriced dealer service, and poor customer relations due to the 1.8T and its sludge issue. Why would anyone do that? I blame BBC America! Top Gears rave review and Jeremy Clarksons wistful reminiscences of his MKI Scirocco lured me into the dealership for a very fateful test drive. The GTI made my Scion TC feel like a Yugo; it was so much more responsive, faster, better brakes, agile, and afterward getting back into my faithful and dependable Toyota product was just depressing. The dealership screwed me on price and interest rate because I had to have the car right now and was a moron.

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  Hope you can drive a stick - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JLo - April 16 - 12:53 pm

  For those who want an automatic transmission get ready for some fun. The memory transmission is so sensitive that it shifts differently according to what pair of shoes I have on. This can be VERY ANNOYING! I hope that this is not a big problem in the newer models. I had my transmission reset when I first got the car because the shifting was so weird. Its good on gas and I havent had any other problems. Oh yeah and it has minimal torque. This is a great car for a commuter, student, or as a second car.

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  Fine Car for Big Dogs. - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mumphry Rauschenberg - April 16 - 10:00 am

  This driver is over 6 feet tall and almost 300 lbs, and the Passat is the only smallish car I find comfortable. Interior dimensions are generous and headroom is still good with the power sunroof. Seats and seating position are perfect. Wierdest feature: Multi-function display on dash informs you in a teutonic way ("Refill washer fluid!!!"). Unexpected feature: Lock the car 3 times and the sunroof closes.

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  Bug delite - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By michael99 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  This car is so cute. i wanted to sleep in it the first week we got it. Early on week took a 1,000 mile road trip. It was wonderful. I was surprised how little road noise there was. The car is now over three years old. It works perfectly. I have moved to a hilly area and would prefer a little more tourque in the higher gears. The body has held up well. The interior has done well but then I had the seats covered from the beginning. Overall, it is a fun car. It still competes well with the new models. I will probably keep it another 4 years (50,000) miles before buying another VW. PS This is our 4th VW.

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  Best SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By vwrocksmysocks - April 16 - 10:00 am

  i love this SUV- its efficiant and very high quality- the ride is so much smoother than even the bmw x-5. (i test drove that when i went to the dealership also) it is the best that money can buy

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  Excellent Wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By lenjoe - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for six weeks and 4000 miles. In one word "excellent". Very stable at highway speeds and you have no fear of rollover like you would with an SUV. It also give great mileage. On the high ways at 75mph, I get about 31-32 mpg. Overall I have had 26mpg in mixed driving.

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  fun car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By eman1t - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Love the 1.8t stick for pickup and fuel economy. Chose the leather interior and couldnt be happier. Overall a fun car to drive

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  pass otty - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By matt hew - April 16 - 10:00 am

  luv the feel and performance, wish the styling were more defined

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  Great Car for the Money - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By INTERAVE - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Good car for the money. I have traveled to VA a couple of times and it never gave me a problem. I had to bring my car back to the dealer 3 times for the brakes. The dealer realized it was a defect of the calipers. VW replaced the brakes at no charge. My fuel sensor went at about 35,000 miles. The paint on the car chips too easy. The cupholers are fine but need to be of a better quality than plastic. The interior is first rate. It is like having a BMW for $20,000 less! The blue and red dash always gets complements. Car has the best look in its class. Plus you can brag to your friends that you drive a German car!