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:

• 

  Love it! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By woodog - November 16 - 9:13 am

  Great car for the money. I was driving a suburban for the last 6 years and decided I wanted a car. NOthing tickled my fancy quite like the convertible bug! Not quite impressed with the stereo though.

• 

  Very nice and Economical - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rich - November 15 - 11:40 am

  My typical around town mileage is about 35, on a trip to Maine it was 42 so it easily lives up to its mileage claims. Comfortable, accelerates well into traffic on entrance ramps and from stop signs, thats all I want I have a Jag XK8 for the stop light derby. The sound system is great, the glass roof makes the interior very nice and bright. The DSG transmission shifts remarkably smoothly, I can hear the engine change RPM but there is no noticeable "bump or pause" at shift points.

• 

  Fun to drive, and Low cost to operate - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mbielick - November 15 - 3:03 am

  I was looking for a low cost to operate vehicle, and I was not impressed with the hybrids. I bought this car, and was amazed by the fun-to-drive aspect of it. The huge amount of torque available from the engine gives you a lot more zip than you would expect from a diesel. Highway cruising is great, with barely 2,400 RPM turning at 70 MPH. Although I have only driven the car 5,000 miles to date, there has been nothing wrong with the car, and Im getting over 47 MPG each time I fill.

• 

  2010 Golf TDI - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By Steve - November 13 - 4:10 pm

  One of the best cars out there for the money, the performance, the gas mileage is great Im getting 38.5 mpg around town the and the interior is top notch. Anybody out there looking for a car with great styling, an excellent interior, and has awesome performance while getting great gas mileage should give this car a try you cant go wrong.

• 

  Best SUV for the $$$ - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By subzero - November 13 - 2:00 am

  If you want a quality, power, quietness this car is for you...Do not get the V6, spend the money and get the V8...overall better return when you sell the car, and one of the fastest SUVs on the road...Considered LexusRX330, what a dog, if you are over 50 get a LEXUS, if you want great fun, power and luxury get a V8 Toureg..Also considered InfinitiFX45, what a bumpy ride, and a cheap build interior..finally, looked at CAYENNE V6 (base model), Toureg V8 has double the option and 15K cheaper...if you have the money and must get a CAYENNE than get the Turbo...best car I have ever owned and drived..job well done for VW.

• 

  Just as Great as my BMW 330ci - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Traintraxboy - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I love my Jetta, I have a BMW 330ci also, The BMW is no better! I think that the Jetta is the best car!

• 

  Exceeded expectations - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By jkorner - November 13 - 12:56 am

  My first vw I bought this car in July, 4400 miles and 2 trips from Asheville NC to Orlando later. about 560 miles one way I am very pleased overall. I average 30 Mpg city and 45 on the highway one tank was 51 Mpg. This car does every thing you can ask of it. Plenty of room power and great cruising range of 832 miles with 18.5 Gal tank. just be aware Because of the Automated manual trans car will disengage and roll backwards on very steep hills. my Car will not lock from the outside unless keyless remote is used. Car was 26K OTD with Tax. More than one person thought I paid 40K. VW got this right.

• 

  Brand new Volkswagen Jetta SE Automatic - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By petnurse - November 12 - 6:30 pm

  Reluctantly I had to trade in my Saturn VUE. I test drove several different sedans that would fit my narrow garage driveway opening. I needed a vehicle with moveable mirrors just in case. I was also looking for safety features and the Jetta had great crash test ratings for front and side. I loved the Jetta SE and it suited me. For the first time in awhile I actually felt the car hugged the road and I felt safe making corners and on freeway curves. It handles beautifully and the interior is so comfortable. This is the second Volkswagen Ive owned and again Im impressed. The sales experience this time was one of the best Ive encountered.

• 

  Great car!! - 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Gail - November 12 - 11:10 am

  Awesome car with lots of standard goodies. Its extremely quiet and smooth..Lots of storage with the back seats folded down. Super comfortable seats. Heated seats come standard.

• 

  Best car ever, so happy I bought it - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By JaSoNtheMC - November 12 - 10:00 am

  First of all, I love this car. Second, its worth every penny. I got it at a great price AND the fuel economy is great. I just bought it last night but still, Ive never driven a car like this in my life. Ive driven quite a bit and the gas tank gauge still hasnt moved, I might have to get that checked. I think I might fill up my tank in October or so. The stock sound system is great. Even though its a deisel engine its much quiter than probably all others. Its very smooth and so fun to drive. The test drive made me fall in love. 90 hp my butt! This thing has the power too! Acceleration is wonderful! Sun roof is sweet. E-mail me with any questions!