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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  V-dub 2008 - best bang for your buck - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By climbonboard - December 25 - 1:00 pm

  This car is the best "bang for your buck" for the money. Beautiful design inside and out. The safest compact car in the U.S.; disadvantage is weight -at 3200 lbs, as heavy as a Toyota Camry. Newly re-designed engine has plenty of passing power on the highway. Engine note is quiet at steady speed and rich sounding under acceleration. Car grips the road better than any car Ive driven in my life (hint: order the OEM Continental Contipro Contact tires on your car). Stereo - good sound - quite decent for factory stereo; has RDS (station and song info) and volume leveling (increases volume at speed). Excellent residual value allows for cheap leases.

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  Best all weather car ever - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By Dorothy Niss - December 25 - 12:40 pm

  The 2004 Volkswagen R32 is a keeper. WIth Nokian tires it handles superbly in all weather conditions: snow, ice, rain. My R32 has received standing ovations from fellow concert-goers and a great amount of interest from VW fans. Its my all-time favorite car.

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  vr6 4motion - its stunning - 2013 Volkswagen CC
  By slk528 - December 25 - 9:10 am

  I wanted a mid-size awd car thats comfortable, looks great, gets decent mpgs despite Boston traffic and had nice options for a good price. This car has it all. I had a fully loaded 550i (iDrive was about to crap out too) and this car has more options at half the price. Its faster too. Build quality is terrific. I hope it lasts me a long time.

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  Love my VW - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By shogan070 - December 24 - 8:20 pm

  I upgraded to the 2008 Passat Komfort from a 1998 Passat GLS with a five speed manual. My old car ran great and I have to admit that it was hard to let it go, but I soon got over that. I have had the new car for about a month now and I like everything about it. The 2.0T 200 hp four cylinder is unbelievably powerful for an I4 and a drastic improvement over the 150 hp 1.8T in my old car. The suspension and steering are perfect, I barely feel bumps when I go over them. The fuel economy is excellent as well. I get between 350 and 400 miles out of every 16 gallon tank of gas. This car is the perfect balance of high performance and efficiency.

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  Great car! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Robert - December 24 - 2:39 pm

  I love the VW Jetta. I keep looking at other cars thinking maybe Ill find something that I like more, but it still hasnt happened. Jetta has a nice quiet interior, great ride, great engine, the only thing I dislike is the DSG transmission, when its cold out it can become very "stiff" and jerky feeling until it warms up. I dont even know how you could put a Civic or a Focus in its category, its a completely different car, much better in my opinion. If you want a loud, cheap, stiff annoying ride I guess then you could opt for the Civic or Focus.

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  2006 Passat Gas Mileage - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By voicetea - December 24 - 12:13 pm

  Just bought a 2006 Passat 4 cylinder turbo. Gas mileage is about 20 miles per gallon in town; 30 to 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

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  Great car - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bryols19 - December 24 - 1:25 am

  I personally dont have an issue with this car. I upgraded from a 2003 vw golf 2.0 which was a great car but lacked power. I love my 2010 2.5 jetta. I have over 76,000 miles on it, car has never given me a problem. Its not the top of the line model but Im fine the engine, powerful enough for me. **Note** there was an engine software upgrade for the gas mileage... from personal experience the car has good gas mileage but I honestly think I had better gas mileage before the software update, I was getting well over 400miles before and now after its more 350-370miles in the city. HWY I can go from VA BEACH to waterbury CT on one tank of gas. 451 miles doing 70-75mph. Im not complaining.

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  Couldnt Find a Better Hatchback - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Matt - December 23 - 1:13 pm

  I tried to find a better deal on a hatchback used and domestic (even went to car auctions). This two door appears to have more room than the four door Focus. What sold me was the vast range of features and powertrain. It is a huge improvement from the Mark IV Golf with its four wheel independent, five cylinder, and a very smooth shifting six speed Tiptronic transmission for only $17,000! The plastics on the exterior protect exactly where the car would get bumped in parking lots. Plus it has traction control, heated mirrors, ABS, cruise control, six airbags, laser wielded frame, and daytime running lights...the list goes on. I would love to sell these for a living.

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  Really Nice Van - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Bob S - December 23 - 6:40 am

  Compared to my 2006 Honda Odyssey EX-L, this is a great van! Much quieter on the road, better seats, and we dont see ourselves coming and going everywhere. The Honda doesnt have the toys either. The power passenger seat is especially important to my wife.

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  Eurostyle wagon experience - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By Landon - December 22 - 7:06 am

  I shake my head at all our neighbours driving these hideous SUVs and crossovers that handle like buses and drink fuel like crazy. There are options! This car has way more room than our neighbours Murano and is a blast to drive! We love manual trannys and this was the only wagon we could get one in. We got a highline with real leather, moonroof, dual climate, satellite radio. Had an Acura TSX before and this is quicker but gets the same mileage. It is also quieter and smoother but the leather and aesthetics were nicer in the Acura.