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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  Great car but whats up with the trani? - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JKG - December 8 - 7:30 am

  The car and dealership are excellent overall. My only concern is as follows: The trani started leaking fluid from the bell housing at 730 miles and when I brought it to the dealer, it was diagnosed as a seal problem with internal damage. A new transmission was installed which VW approved and shipped to the dealer quickly. The dealer paid for a rental car while the Jetta was being repaired. The car was returned in excellent condition after four days and now runs perfectly with no leaks. The car has so many positive qualities and the dealer handled the situation professionally. I would definitely buy another car from the dealer even though this was an unusual and disturbing event.

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  It has been a GREAT car! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By lisa4peace - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I designed my Passat online and waited for its arrival across the pond. It has been totally reliable -- never any problems...now 70,000 miles later. I own it and a MINI. Love em both.

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  2008 Jetta A in a whole other class - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By quickrnu - December 6 - 7:30 pm

  I purchase a 2008 VW Jetta SE with the tiptronic transmission, sport styling package and 17 inch aptiva wheels. This car has exceeded my expectations again and again. I have owned numerous European cars and have to say this car feels and drives like my Audis and Volvos, maybe even better. VW has really thought out every little detail. The sport styling package with the 17 inch wheels really makes it stand out in the crowd. The build quality puts any car in its class to shame. A joy to drive!

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  Rascally Rabbit - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By brucemip - December 6 - 4:46 am

  Bought this car used with 52K miles on it and a extended warranty for 20K mile, which was a waste. This car has been perfect and reliable since I bought it. I now have 105K miles on it and still running strong and drive the same as the first day I bought it. Regular oil changes every 5K. Went through 2 sets of tires. Added GTI 17s mags. Color is white, black trim and Yakima bike rack with air spoiler, clean, looks real sporty, turns heads all the time. Extremely happy with this car performance, ride & comfort.

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  2006 Volkswagen Jetta Value Edition - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ??? - December 6 - 1:26 am

  We havent even had our Jetta for one month, but we just LOVE it! It is fun, roomy, and very pretty! =) It costs us $32 to fill up with gas, and we drove almost 500 highway miles before having to fill up. So far this tank, I have drove 350 city miles and still have between a 1/4 and a 1/2 tank left. Pretty good, huh? With VWs resale values, and how extremely pleased we are with our Jetta, were just crazy for not purchasing one sooner!

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  Another name for car is Jetta - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Proud Jetta Owner - December 1 - 2:06 pm

  I am so Impressed with my Jetta. I am so happy that I did not go for a Honda or a Toyota this time. I had a CR-V and Civic before but after owning Jetta I just realized my mistake of choosing Honda 2 times. Jetta is very comfortable, Safe and amazing performance. It has everything that I was looking in a car. Volkswagen Customer service is the best. My last statement - Ladies and gentlemen, Boys and Girl before you buy car (new) you must look at Jetta. You get more than what you pay for.

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  Wonderful car, electronic problems - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dr. PMA - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Car purchased new, 4 yrs. old, 58K miles. Love the design, roominess and build quality. Ride/handling are comfortable, sophisticated. Accel is OK, turbo kicks in late, power up hills is sluggish and needs Tiptronic assist. Transmission doesnt shift back up quickly enough after sustained lower-gear driving. Gas econ is GREAT (34 mpg @ 72 mph-hwy!). Overall avg mpg: 26. Problems have been electronic: failed engine temp sensor, trunk light switch, dash lights. SHOCKING failure (at 4 yrs): electronic firing regulator shorted out; diagnosis + part ($348.) + labor = $600! What else electronic may fail next?? VW techs say: water pumps go out at around 60K.

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  VW Golf 1.8 Turbo (2001) - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By org - December 1 - 10:00 am

  The Golf 1.8T is pure pleasure to drive! Its the best car I have ever owned. Its stylish, flexible, roomy, powerful, very responsive and great fun to drive with! It might be a bit more expensive than other cars in this class but the money is definitly worth it!!!

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  #1 Car You Can Buy - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jessica Gawel - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car!

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  Many VWs in the family - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Cresty - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I turned in my 99 GLS V6 Sedan for the 4Motion Wagon and have not looked back. While winter snows on the sedan made it vertually 4x4, the past few winters in NJ have been especially harsh, I cant wait for this winter. On dry roads it feels like its tearing up the blacktop. Weve had a lot of rain lately and the grip continues. Also own a 95 GLX Wagon, 5 spd, while it too is a blast to drive, the luxury in the 03 4Motion out does it. No complaints, just Fahrvergneugen!