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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  James F. Paronto - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By James Paronto - January 26 - 1:50 am

  I have enjoyed the pleasure of driving this quality vehicle. Other than the Pirelli tires, the vehicle has been very reliable. However, if some problem does manifest itself, VW dealer has been most helpful in correcting the problem. I would think Volkswagon would take some responsibility for the lack of wear and realibility of these tires since it was VWs engineers that chose these tires for the production line. Stepping away from the tire issue is not a good way to resolve the issue.

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  Great value in the $25K range - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MikeG - January 25 - 4:50 pm

  Just bought the Jetta 2.0T with Option package 1. Great value all around for someone who wants a larger size compact with good to excellent performance, safety, and luxury features. The torque (acceleration) is great both from 0-60 and for passing on the freeway. The DSG transmission is seamless - you barely can tell when the gears shift - no turbo lag. I also appreciate the engine braking and overall quick throttle response. Interior features (dual climate controls, heated 12-way power leather seats, sunroof) are ergonomically excellent. Handling very good. Ride comfort good given handling (much better than Acura). More interior space than Audi A3, same engine, trani, chassis, $Ks less.

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  Jetta not SAFE - incorrect Digital Fuel Guide - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mildred - January 25 - 9:25 am

  The fuel gage is always way off. Dangerous distraction in car causing tons of anxiety. The digital gage will say that you have 30 miles in the tank and you will drive 4 miles and it will say you have 15 miles left. Then it gets worse as you drive another mile and it says you have 5 left.......even though you had 30 and only went 5 miles (should have 25 left). This creates the driver to always be looking at the digital gas gage distracted and panicked because the math is so pathetic in these Jettas. There cars are horrible at technology to the point of dangerous, distracting, and misleading. I spoke with two employees at Jetta who actually changed the gage because it was so dangerous and incorrect. Honestly, how did this car pass safety inspections with such a blatant and ridiculous technology problem inside the car (that even employees at Jetta agree is dangerous and misleading)???????

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  The engine wont quit - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By NotherJettaOwner - January 25 - 1:23 am

  We bought this Jetta back in the beginning of 2001 with nearly 48k on it. This year, I took an outside sales job and Ive pushed it from about 137k to 160k and counting. Its days are numbered, as I havent done much upkeep outside of oil changes, but this sucker still doesnt burn a drop of oil. The coolant is starting to leak a little. Both windows on the driver side are off track and are held in place by pieces of wood propping them up. Radio reception is awful. Transmission will stick going uphill from time to time. We superglued the rubber molding to keep it in place and that has worked pretty well. Knock on wood, the car has never left me stranded.

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  Best SUV in 2017/2018 - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By Luis - January 24 - 7:18 pm

  This is a huge SUV. It seats 7 people comfortably with some space left over for your stuff. Technology is awesome, ACC, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, auto headlights, auto windshield wipers, all work flawlessly. It is the best value for the money out there in the mid-size SUV market right now (June/2017). Since it is a new project, safety ratings should be above average for the class too when IIHS ratings come out.

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  New TDI SE - MPG King!!! - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By mkholmes - January 24 - 10:14 am

  Just purchased my black on black 6 speed manual SE on 3/31/12. Was lucky enough for my local dealership (Chattanooga, TN) to have one in stock. Was just off the truck and the white wrap had to be removed in order for my wife and I to test drive. After a minute in the car my wife said this was it so we made the purchase. Have only run one tank of fuel through it so far but have to say that you can set the cruise at 65 mph and get 53 mpg all day long on the highway. The TDI has plenty of power for almost anyone and build quality is impressive. Seats are very comfortable and the interior space is unbelievable. Radio works great and the bluetooth functions perfectly with my IPhone.

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  R32 - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By jasonS - January 24 - 3:00 am

  This is absolutely the best car I have ever owned. I have previously owned other performance compacts such as the Integra GS-R, Integra Type-R & RSX Type- S, but this car is in its own class. AWD is great for the winter and the near 250hp will sure to keep you awake at the wheel. Drive one and you will understand....

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  Love it! - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By alena - January 24 - 2:56 am

  I have always been a VW fan, so I was heart broken when my 97 Jetta was totalled, and I had to make a new purchase. The 08 2dr Rabbit is perfect for me. I find the car suits all of my needs. Its perfect for getting to school and work in the Metro area (great for those small parking spots downtown). I love the interior decor, and am a fan of the change in cupholder size.

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  Overrated Junk Box - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Chicken Lips - January 24 - 2:40 am

  What a mistake. I believed all the hype and paid $21,000 for a small cramped poor performance car that needs premium fuel. My 2005 Volkswagen Passat has no pick up at all. Im not a big guy, but the car is so cramped it feels like Im wearing a straight jacket. German engineering, yeah right. Everything rattles and my brakes went at 3,500 miles. It burns oil too. Save your money and by a Hyundai Elantra!

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  Jetta GLI 2005 1.8 Turbo 20 Valves engine - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ismael_1966 - January 23 - 8:16 pm

  I bought this car from new. Have some problems thats was cover by warranty and others that not since the car does not have warranty any more. The car has around 90,000 kms. Since new the car gave me a lot of problems with the windows falling inside the doors. Plagued with Door Locks problems. Radiator fans damage, the fuse box on top of the battery got damage. Brake light switch has damage two times. The engines has some problem to start in the morning, coolant temperature sensor has been replaced 3 times. Rear brakes make awfull noise 1n reverse. The car spend more time in the mechanic than with me. If you get a VW, sell it as soon as the warranty is finish or you will go broke!