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 best I have owned - 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jdpompano - March 26 - 12:07 am

  I have owned many cars, trucks and SUVs over my lifetime, including luxury brands from Audi and Acura, this is the best vehicle yet. The build quality, handling, engine performance/mileage are all great, best in class. I have owned this for two months and I am averaging 22mpg in city driving, with excellent acceleration and engine smoothness. The technology features are intuitutive for most, but there is still a learning curve. DVD player in glove compartment a plus.

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  2yrs and counting - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By brndnmartin87@gmail.com - March 25 - 5:05 pm

  After 2yrs of driving my 2012 passat tdi i have no complaints, i love the fuel milage 31/50 Its not a luxury car, it does have some road noise which got quit a bit better when i replaced the factory hankook tires with michelin primacy tires. Over all Im quit pleased. My wife drives it mostly and loves it!

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  fun to drive! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vantha - March 25 - 2:06 pm

  I use to own a 2003 Honda Civic but this 2001 Volkswagen owns it! to my surprise when I had my foot on the accelerator it was fast! and I could surpass any cars even the high end cars. Im also glad for the fact that the brakes are fast and sensitive. I didnt expect much from it and now I enjoy riding it so much! Since I just bought this car, Im still figuring out some stuff to it, because EVERYTHING is automatic even to the fact that almost everything has buttons to it! Another thing thats great about this car, is the comfort of it, when youre in it, its like youre sitting in an SUV because the seats are so elevated.

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  High Miles - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By driver111 - March 25 - 6:39 am

  I have a 2000 Jrtta that I bought new as a company car. I bought it from my company after. I now have 268,000 miles on it. It has the 2.0 gas engine, 5spd manual trans. I only have had a few issues with the car. I regulary change the timing belt, and water pump and tune up parts as you should. The only other parts that I have replaced is the Coil Pack. That I replaced myself and was very simple. I would recomend buying a NON Turbo Jetta to anyone. They are very dependable and with care and yes some maint. it will go forever. My Daughter took the car out of state to college and she loves that it gets 28mpg. Its been a great car and my daughter loves all the options that it has.

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  Bought Friday, In Shop Saturday - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By zookeeper - March 25 - 5:23 am

  Purchased this 08 Passat turbo wagon over the Subaru Outback. I had owned an 02 wagon previously and loved it. However, we bought this car on 8/29 and it was back at the dealership the next morning. The steering sensor mechanism was bad (warning lights were on when we left dealership but we were told it was due to low voltage and theyd go off - they didnt). The car was deemed "unsafe" to drive (Id just driven 35 miles through pouring rain to return). I was put into a rental for 6 days while the part was replaced. Ive had the car back for 9 days and Im at the shop AGAIN b/c the malfunction indicator light is on. Thinking of buying a Passat? Then, RUN to your nearest Subaru dealer!

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  Wish I wouldve researched this one!! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By iamatester - March 25 - 12:33 am

  Just bought my 5th VW, this time a 99 VR6. So far I am impressed, but like everyone else, the Check Engine light has been the bane of my existence. Not sure why it randomly comes on and off. Other than that, I love the power. For the door squeaks I use a product called Gummipflege (German product- which you can get at any BMW parts store), Best product ever for removing squeaks. My last car was a 04 1.8T, and I never shouldve gotten rid of it, but wifey needed a new car, so I sold that and got her an Odyssey. Oh well, I will always stick with VW, but the Scion tC has caught my eye, as well as its sticker price.

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  Volkswagen hits the mark - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By JTC - March 24 - 11:26 pm

  I bought my 07 Rabbit 2dr in July and the car is incredibly comfortable, roomy, the engine is incredibly powerful and the overall quality is impressive. I test drove the Mazda3 Honda civic, and Scion and the Rabbits engineering and quality are definitely outstanding compared to its competitors. At 2000 miles I have had no problems whatsoever and I thoroughly enjoy driving it. Definitely best car purchase Ive made in a while.

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  transmission broken - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By w seferovic - March 24 - 6:36 pm

  1st needed to replace exhaust recycle unit 2 and the 5 speed manual transmission ripped itself apart at 90k miles cost over to $4000 repair

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  Big Smiles; Big Scratch for a Hot Hatch - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By Masswhole - March 24 - 10:00 am

  This is an Audi TT 3.2 with interior space and a 6-speed tranny at 75% of the cost. I "downgraded" from an Audi A4. Before that, I loved my Jetta GLX, esp. the responsive, peppy motor & tight suspension. The R32 has luxury, more pep, less curb weight, stickier suspension & Haldex AWD--a good compromise between the two cars. Im installing a 22mm rear antisway bar--the back end feels sloppy with high-speed swerving. (Factory tire pressure is too low also.) Im 30 y.o. and the GTI is aimed at the 18-24 y.o. demographic. I now get less road respect (less garage respect too; more door dings) post-A4; people (including cops) see a VW w/o understanding its performance.

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  05 Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By William Dubree - March 24 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very well built. It proforms well for such a heavy vehicle. My dealership offered me an excellent deal without the bull. The Touareg surpass vehicles such as your BMW,Benz and Lexus in overal quility. VW continues to make a good affordable high quility vehicle.