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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  Mein Hare!!! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By berlin58 - January 29 - 5:40 am

  I searched a long time for a vehicle before I chose the Rabbit. I wanted something fun to drive, wasnt a gas guzzler, and foremost a car that I could be comfortable in. Being a rather large individual 65" tall and 245 lbs. basically eliminates me from about 90% of the cars in the market, and this includes a lot of trucks and suvs. However, the Rabbit has loads of room. I have more than enough leg room, headroom, and shoulder room. When are the Japanese and American car companies going to get it??? Kudos to VW for building a car that a variety of body types can fit in. I really love this car, its a blast to drive and I look forward to my daily commute where as before I did not.

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  A step above the normal - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By Steadi - January 29 - 2:00 am

  There are economy cars, there are economy cars with sport, then there is the GTI 1.8T. This car is a step above the others in its class. BMW fit and finish, quiet, smooth, and options you cant get on some of the competitors luxury cars, never mind their "economy" cars. Need relatively low budget transportation, but want to feel like you are riding in a higher class car, this is a SERIOUS car for you to consider. Do yourself a favor, spend the extra grand or two over the competitors cars in its class. Or better yet, drive their under $21,000 cars, then drive a loaded GTI 1.8T.

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  Great All Around Van for Family - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Jeff 66 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Great van for a larger family. Chose the Eurovan MV as our 3rd child was on the way, and needed a van able to accomadate 3 child seats across the back. Eurovan was the only "minivan" which could. Slept once on the fold down bed- not bad. Averaging around 17.5 to 18 mpg combined. Have 5,500 miles on the clock. Great handling, performance for a van, with loads of room. I seated seven with 5 full size suit cases & 3 carry ons in the back. Climate control works fine, and engine configuration is accessible for those who want to work on engine.

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  Sweetest Pocket Rocket Around! - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Brooksy - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This is the Sweetest Pocket Rocket Around!

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  Impressive - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By RAM - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Following test drives of the new Accord, Camry, A4, Maxima, and Volvo S60, the Passat was ahead of the pack in several categories. The main ones being the combination of features (V6, tiptronic, ESP, Monsoon, etc.) for the reasonable $30k price tag. Love the ride quality and responsiveness. Dont by a car without test driving the Passat.

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  V6 is the Only Way to Go - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By David - January 29 - 1:46 am

  I just purchased a new 2006 Passat 3.6 and was amazed at the power and performance this vehicle offers. I have allready put 1,000 miles on in the first week and will keep this car for years to come. This will be my third V6 Passat and no vehicle that I have test driven had the saftey and performance that is has.

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  Good performer - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By golfvet - January 28 - 2:13 pm

  The car handles great in city traffic and is very stable at highway speed. The fuel economy is not the best in its class but we cannot get good performance without using a little bit of fuel. There is no engine or wind noise at highway speed but road noise is very apparent on certain type of pavement. After 3000 miles, no problem encountered.

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  Best Convertible on the Market. - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jane - January 27 - 5:03 pm

  This is a fun car. Ive had convertibles my entire life but there is just something about a convertible New Beetle that is more fun than any of the rest. It has a lot of power and something about the angle and shape of the windshield gives you the illusion of being in a much larger car. Front seat is wonderfully spacious and roomy. Backseat, as Ive stated below, is the major drawback. Im also not delighted with the gas mileage. Im averaging less than 25 mpg .... I was hoping for a little more but even so Id buy the car again in a heartbeat.

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  Phaeton is a great deal! - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By bobschneider - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Phaeton 10 days, and I love it! I was shopping for a 530i or an E320, but when I found I could get a Phaeton for the same money (with incentives) I jumped on it. I got a base model, but it still had all the features I wanted, and is the most comfortable car Ive ever owned. Its no sports car, but it drives very well, and rides like a dream.

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  outstanding - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By dw8 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  An oddity: a luxury car from a non-prestige name. The interior is gorgeous. (A VW/Audi hallmark.) The W8 engine is smooth and powerful. The AWD system is the best available: VW 4motion IS Audi quattro. Tight precise steering and a well-tuned (sport) suspension. So sure-footed even in blizzards that it exudes confidence. And its a wagon -- so it has tons of space. A fully-loaded family truckster shouldnt be able to blow the doors off 3-series and G35s; this one can. But what family truckster of old was this polished? Its like a buff gymnast in a nice Italian suit. Dont compare it with other Passats; the luxuries it offers are more in line with the A6/allroad and 5-series.