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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  the best for the money - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By jorge zamacona - December 1 - 10:00 am

  the car is one great package. has allthe necessary bells and whistles. great handling and extremely responsive engine. gets you out of tight spots with a simple touch of the gas peddal. the 4 motion is truly the best. Great in corners and engine even on auto slows down and shifts down according to speed and rpm. this is the total package. yo get 100 cents for every Dollar.

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  Great Car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Unetguy - December 1 - 10:00 am

  After driving a BMW 325 for 12 years, I bought a new car, and decided to try the VW Passat GLX manual. I havent been disappointed. The fit and finish are excellent, the overall operation is fantastic, and the price was right. All of the comfort controls, Climatronic, heated seats work very well, Monsoon stereo system is excellent.

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  Passat 2003 - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By martin25 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is very easy to handle, rides like a dream. Is very fast and you can pass very easily.

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  Volkswagen Succession - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By The Tree - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Our third Passat (first automatic) ... and each one keeps getting better (oh yes, we still have the first, a 95 GLX VR6 and near 110,000 miles) but this one is IMPROVED with state-of-the-art interior, updated warranty and tiptronic transmission. An automatic that preforms like the 5-speed. Driving the car is fun! Only negative is the small trunk space which dosent accommodate too many pieces of luggage, and the reduced fuel economy.

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  My first new car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By turbysquad - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I love the Jetta for its simple, yet distinct styling. The interior is perfect, with its black monotone look. I love the chrome accents on the door handles and the gear selector. Red gauges with blue background is fantastic. The 1.8 litre engine is smooth and powerful, with minimal turbo lag, although I wish I would have chosen the 5sp manual. My only peeve, is that the back seat is a little cramped, but Im never back there. In all, I am a Volkswagen driver for life, or until I can afford an Audi.

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  Another Good One - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RBouchardJr - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Gas mileage is excellent (47mpg/hwy) and the acceleration is great. Cruise control is reliable. Monsoon stereo is very good. Handling on the corners is very secure and reassuring. It is very quiet for a diesel. Passing acceleration is very good.

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  mydub - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dubman - December 1 - 7:23 am

  owning this 03 jetta has been wonderful and my kids love the car as well.Plus it being a 5 speed,makes it more fun to drive.The only thing that i would change is the location of the cup holders.When your on the freeway and your driving this vehicle you could be doing 80 miles an hour and not even know it.

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  Room to spare in a quality affordable Sedan. - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By clintondee - December 1 - 2:50 am

  My 14 Passat is a real nice car that actually is quite simple to operate. Interior design is classic and the exterior may seam a bit boring at first, but at different angles the cars exterior lines show the true elegance of the car. I paid 18,700 for the 21,900 sticker car and got 0% financing to boot. So for the price of a focus or corolla I was able to get a sweet Passat that is extremely roomy and just as efficient as those two cars.

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  Tiguan tiger and iguana for real - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By daniel - November 30 - 3:56 pm

  The tiger represents the speed of this car. Iguana for the luxury and smoothness. Amazing car. I think this is the best car I have ever owned I cant even tell you how much this car has impressed me

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  Best in its class as well as next class - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Nikhil - November 29 - 10:13 pm

  VW has hit a home run with the CC. It has excellent Value For Money with std features you only get as options on other cars.