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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  Awesome Car!! - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lah572 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I love this car!! I have wanted one since they came back with it. It is very reliable for me and never have a problem with it. Everything works and my kids fight over who sits in thr front seat!

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  Audi/Porsche luxury SUV for a bargain! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By brucemcg - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Buy one before the word gets out! Audi 4.2L 305HP engine (same as A8), Porsche 6 speed, Audi-grade interior, 10 air bags with safety cage, etc... This car with the same configuration in Germany sells for 68k Euro, which translates to $75-80k! You can pick one up for about $40k in the US! This SUV drives like a dream. The V8 with 6-speed is silky smooth and throws you back in your seat when you push it. If you want a super luxury SUV that should sell for $75k at the bargain price of the century, act now!!! And by the way, purchase a 100k warranty for around $1500, and have no reservations!

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  9000 KMs and Loving It - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By wagonguy - February 24 - 10:00 am

  With our 2 kids we werent sure whether we made the right decision about buying a wagon over a mini-van. I am so glad we got this wagon!! It hauls as much as a minivan, gets great mileage (averaging 32mpg), very comfortable both up front and in the back seats and is a blast to drive. We got into an accident early on and the wagon handled it like a tank. This thing is built like a tank. For a family of 4 or less, this is the car to get.

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  Better than a Honda - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By jburnette - February 24 - 8:13 am

  The GTI is really a great car. The good outweighs the bad and the car is the first of many that I want to hang on to. My only real problem with the car is the many dash noises and some weird sounds that keep coming up from time to time. The quality of the interior is sound and not cheap plastic. I cant understand why this car makes sounds that seem not to be an easy fix. It seems so solid. Overall you wont be sorry. This cars gets tons of attention no matter where you go. The price is a bit high but its really worth it.

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  Best Convertible Ever - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By VWenthusiast - February 24 - 5:20 am

  I just purchased an Eos. I was comparing it to the Pontiac G6 Convertible and the Chrysler Sebring. I must say, this is the best Convertible I have ever seen. It has great craftsmanship, is super fun to drive, and all at a price that is more than fair. I would have bought the car even if the dealership would had charged me $5,000 over sticker, which is common for the G6 Convertible. This is the best car I have ever had and I recommend it to anyone.

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  2005 VW Beetle - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Becky Hunter - February 23 - 1:50 am

  My first car was a 1957 Beetle and when fuel prices began to rise, I sold my Honda Passport and purchased my 2005 Beetle. I love it, we live in a mountainous region and with four adults in the car, all I have to do is switch my Tiptronic transmission from auto to manual, shift into 5th and I scoot right up the mountains without skipping a beat. It hugs the road and is so much fun to drive, I feel like a teenager again! My 74 year old Father loves to drive it as well and is looking at getting one for my Mom! We are considering another one for my husband, so I can keep him out of mine :) He was surprised at the pep when he drove it for the first time.

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  Fantastic Coupe - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By G-Man - February 23 - 1:36 am

  For context, I am a spirited driver who likes the performance of a coupe and the convenience of a family car. I upgraded from an Acura CL to the VW CC. What a great car for the money! The CC is beautiful and sexy inside and out. People notice the car. The 2.0 turbo is really fuel efficient yet it is powerful and fun to drive (if the minimal jet lag bothers you the VR6 engine is phenomenal). The DSG transmission is the best I have ever driven. The V-tex simulated leather looks beautiful and is easier to maintain. Basically you can have an Audi A4 for less than $30K.

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  a dream - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By emc - February 21 - 10:06 am

  I love this car. i found a 2002 passat with 5000 miles on it. It was the exact color i wanted. I counldnt ask for more. When i sit in it i feel as if im in a lexus. It drives exteremly smoothly.I find myself filling up on gas more then in my toyota but, its worth it. I love everything about this car thus far. Its quiet, and smooth. I like the heaviness of it. I feel safe. Its a great car. I was skeptical about a vw, i always had a toyota; not anymore.

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  Style, room and features! Get the Routan - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Sammie - February 21 - 9:03 am

  I think most professional car reviewers forget that most people who buy a minivan want features, space and comfort. The Routan has it all and it looks better than its Chrysler cousins both inside and out. Drives better too. The second row seats may not have the flexibility of the T&C but they have more comfort and the storage is still there which is the biggest selling point for me. I do wish the second row seats could be adjusted forward and aft but my boys (the third row occupants) are happy their sister can no longer squish their legs. I drove just about every minivan on the market and the Routan had the best mix of looks, comfort and features. Cheaper than the T&C and Odyssey too.

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  Needs Prius Style MPG guage - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wiring-geek - February 20 - 8:56 am

  The Jetta TDI is a great car. My family needs booted me out of my beloved compact pickup, but this is a worthy replacement. If youre hauling children only in back, definitely remove and store the rear head rests...at least remove the middle (of three) for better vision when backing up.