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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  My Passat - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By smity67 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Everything is great with my passat, but I wish it had more horse power. I realize they make the 8 cylinder now but Ive got the 1.8T and it doesnt have enough.

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  Passat ---GREAT CAR--- - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ejrock - January 13 - 10:00 am

  When you sit in the car, it fits you like a glove. Great road performance, it stick to the road. When you need the power, it delivers......

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  What a fun car! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Big K - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I have only had my car a few weeks, but what a fun car it is! As Im still breaking it in, my mileage is improving with every tank (28mpg on the last one). The tiptronic feature is awesome. If you hit a stretch of road that you want to switch to standard shifting, you pop it over and drive! The engineers who designed this vehicle thought of just about everything!

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  VW PASSAT - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Maryanne Shea - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Great car...fun to drive

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  Cool Sport Wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By KevLion88 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  My partner and I just got a 99 GLS 1.8T wagon in Feb. of this year. Before then Id always wanted a Passat but had never driven one. Had owned VWs in the past, however. This is not a car to be overlooked. The overall build quality is that of a car costing thousands more. And that legendary VW handling and performance cant be matched in this price class. This is the "GAP" version to Audis A4 1.8T Avant "Banana Republic" car!

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  Review - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By mosrespect - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The best car for the money! I do really a lot of driving...i dont know what dealerships shop looks like

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  Great Car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By PIX - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I own a 2000 Model and for a 6ft+ size guy, its a great car. Comfortable, great leg room,handles extremely well in bad weather, fun to drive and safe as well. Plus looks great, its a luxurgy car in my book.

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  Jetta GL - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By czibert - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Excellent value for the money spent, deffinitely a cut above other compact competitors.

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  Put a Volkswagen in your garage! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Cailiin356 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jetta in May after my old car (a 94 Intrepid) all but exploded. Buying a Volkswagen was the best thing Ive ever done. Not only does the car look great, but it drives like I spent $40,000 on it. Nothing else Ive ever driven has given me this feeling of safety and confidence. In rain I no longer have to worry whether or not Im going to fishtail. In nice weather I know I have enough hampsters under the hood to pass whoever I need to get around. My fiance drives a 2003 Passat and neither of us could imagine being happier with our vehicles. Everyone should drive a Jetta!

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  WOW! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By valeriee03 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my new beetle. its practical, efficient, and reliable! its the best quality car out there. I feel safe with all of the safety features and the bonuses are a joy.