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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  BUYER BEWARE unreliable, unsafe, unpredictable - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mespo01 - April 9 - 3:07 pm

  I leased a 2011 Jetta SE with the intention of buying it once the lease was up. One month before I was planning to buy the car, it started stalling out. The 1st time this happened I was driving downhill at approx 30 mph. The brakes and steering wheel locked up - lost control. Very scary. I took the car to the dealer - charged me $500 to have it "fixed". Second time, I was on the highway - lucky to be stuck in traffic. Had it happened 15 min earlier while driving 60mph in middle lane, could have been dangerous. Car had 40k miles on it. VW will not take responsibility for this problem. My car is sitting at the VW pre-owned lot ready to be sold. I feel sorry for the person who will buy it.

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  Just traded mine in for a Turbo Outback - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Syracuse - April 9 - 11:56 am

  After many recalls, and many problems, I finally gave in and traded mine in. Took a big hit, but it was well worth it. My new car has 12,000 on it, and hasnt been to the dealer yet. VW made a great looking SUV that test drives well, but is terrible to live with. Their service department isnt up to the standards set by other manufacturers in this price range. I owned a Saab previously, and although it spent too much time in the shop, the service dept was knowledgeable and always had a loaner. Bottom line, getting rid of my Touareg was worth it (simply so I wouldnt be reminded of my poor buying decision every day).

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  Great car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Maria - April 9 - 7:10 am

  Only had it a few weeks, but it is an awesome car. The only thing I would change is making the rear view window bigger to look out of. Love it, love the ride, the handling, the price!

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  Sad owner - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Tony K - April 9 - 3:53 am

  I had no idea it would eat tires every year! Gas mileage was known, but gas wasnt $4.50 at the time. Its been in the shop so much, my wife wants me to sell it now! Service sucks, they cant order the correct parts half the time so we have to go back multiple times for stupid stuff. I will NEVER buy another VW again. I tried, and it was a failure. They say the car is heavy and thats why it eats tires. B.S. My dad has a huge van loaded with his contractor stuff (much heavier than the Touareg) and he gets 30k miles no problem. I think its the 4WD system chewing up the tires. Im actively looking at a replacement even though it will cost me $. I like to keep cars 12+ years but not this time

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  Great Car - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By M NINE - April 8 - 6:10 pm

  This is an amazing car if you want an affordable, convenient, all-purpose, luxurious daily driver thats fast enough to have some fun in. I bought it at 42k, have driven it on many road trips as well as LA daily traffic, which has brought me up to 59k in a year and a half.

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  Never thought Id love a wagon :) - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Makr - April 8 - 5:10 pm

  2010 Jetta Sportwagen TDI - Candy White, Black Interior, 6-speed. My wife wanted something with room and good gas mileage(not easy to find, as you may already know). I wanted something fun to drive. BAM! VW has the perfect solution. Weve only got a little over 1K miles, but this car is great and grows on me more every day. 6-speed is a blast to drive, does not feel like a station wagon at all. Plenty of room for us, our daughter w/ car seat, 2 dogs and luggage on last road trip. What a great feeling to look down and see that youre cruising along at 75+ mph and getting 42+ mpg!! We plan on keeping this car for a LONG time...thanks VW!

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  What a Great Golf! - 2015 Volkswagen Golf
  By jdh25 - April 8 - 8:04 am

  I have been a VW driver for over 25 years. 86 Scirocco, Jettas and Passats. I thought my 06 2.0 Passat was the best VW ever, but this Golf is giving it some competition. Eye candy on the outside and inside. The interior looks and feels as luxurious as an Audi, BMW or MBZ. Great design too with easy to use technology and awesome sound system. Love the simplicity VW provides. The 1.8T is peppy and provides plenty of power for this car. Its not a GTI, but it is quick. The handling feels a little stiff, but not too much and very secure. Overall its fun to look at and drive. I had considered an Audi A3 & A4 but the Golf won and my wallet was all the more happy!

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  Love the car! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Aaron - April 8 - 6:40 am

  I absolutely love the car. It gets great gas mileage (I havent topped 40 yet but I do a lot of city driving) and has a ton of power.

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  Jetta TDI falling apart - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Foz - April 7 - 10:00 am

  I am less than impressed with the Jetta TDI I unfortunately purchased.

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  If I knew - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By siren78 - April 7 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car in general, but I would strongly advised you of some major problems. Take the leather interior, the black material seats will leave you spending hours a week tring to remove the dust that will accumulate on it, and it is extremely hard to remove. Also pay the extra for the 1.8 liter or TDI or even better VR6 cause the regular model is slow, slow slow!!! You will be disapointed it has no power. If I would have to do it all over I would much rather spend that money or less on other models, like acura or nissan ... But the comfort, the cheap fuel and the style still makes it worht buying!