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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  Well... Just dont drive it into water - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By durasara - October 17 - 6:00 am

  First of all. I got the GLX v6 4motion I bought this car when it had 110,000 miles on it. Sounds crazy, but I bought it for 5k. The carfax showed that the previous owner had already taken care of the major maintenance stuff that starts popping up at around 80k. I can imagine, if I had owned the car during that time period I would have thought it was the worst car in the world. But I didnt. All I had to do was normal maintenance stuff. I brought it up to 210k miles and was still driving like new. So fun around corners and handled snow really well. Until... I was going to school and the street was flooded. Yaris and cruze made it through, Passat died. I really will miss this car.

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  Great Van - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By J - October 17 - 5:00 am

  This van is amazing.To bad it looks so much like a chrysler product, I think that really hurts it credibility. I spent 2 weeks in Sanfrancisco area and never saw one any where not even on my 1,200 mile drive there, nor have I seen one in washington where I live.This van is amazing, drives like a dream and is very comfortable for my fam of 6. The 4.0 v6 has lots of power and shifts so smooth, it has a raspy exaust that reminds me of an infinity suv. The projector beam head lamps turn night into day. I told my wife its vary funny that I sit and boast about my van as my friend is boasting about his new Lexus IS 250... I guess the van makes me forget I am driving a van,, I am impressed.

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  Love my 2008 GTI - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By David - October 16 - 4:00 am

  Unsure where to start. I just love this car. It drives great, very good acceleration and handling and Im averaging 28 MPG combined driving! Everyone compliments on how great it looks and how the interior feels so great. Everytime I walk up to the GTI it makes me smile. If the car was totalled for some reason I be at the VW dealership the next day to buy another one.

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  Great Van - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By busymom - October 15 - 10:06 am

  We converted from the Honda. Best thing we EVER did. This car is fun to drive and fun to ride in. It is much more quiet then the Honda. Our family has taken it on two long trips and it was so much more comfortable than the Honda. We read all the reviews and feel like the Routan was great by the experts, but the people who live with it liked it. We love it!

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  Love my Bug - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bug sailing - October 14 - 12:26 am

  This is my 4th VW. My first was a 1974 Super Beetle loved it,Rabbit Convertible fun, 03 Convertible new beetle, and my current purchase is a pre-owned 06 new beetle. Of course the beetle has changed since the early years but they are sooo fun to drive and still after all these years get the heads turning. Everyone loves the bug!I love the tight feel of the new bug,one could almost think they are driving a real sports car! Service is good and I love Bug sailing!(driving with the top down) My only complaint is there is no cargo space limits your shopping!I shall check back later!

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  Definitely a VW Fan - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By BOSTON_VW - October 13 - 2:16 pm

  After almost 3 years of owning this car, i can honestly say its had a few issues, including water pump replacement, standard transmission syncros replaced, clutch replaced as well due to leaking transmission after synchro repair (dunno if that counts due to dealership not wear and tear), exhaust hangers quit after 1 year and a few bulbs and small issues like rim caps etc. Nothing major except for what was listed and that was all warranty work. Drives great, never fails to fire up and go.. great little cars overall. Love the stereo, sunroof and other features it came with. 1.8 T motor is great. just enough push to play, not enough fuel sucking to make it a gas pig. Overall, very balanced.

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  passat - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By ConnieW - October 13 - 10:00 am

  its a great car, reliable, fun to drive

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  Everyone loves my car - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By always a VW fan - October 13 - 10:00 am

  I was the first person in the city to purchase this car. I had been waiting for several years for it to come out. I love everything about this car. People are always shouting out thier windows at me about how much they love it too! My daughter and her friends love to ride it in. My daughter thinks shes getting it in 3 years - yeah right!

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  Great Car for a Teen - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaGirl - October 12 - 8:23 pm

  Im 17 years old and my dad bought me a 2005 Jetta in January. It is so great for me, it has great gas mileage and I can count on it since it is brand new right off the lot. The styling is really trendy and hip ecpecially in the galatic blue (like mine). The new redesigned Jettas are really luxurious inside, but the exterior styling is not that great.

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  Safe and Secure - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kate in Ky - October 12 - 3:56 am

  My Passat was purchased used with 60,000 miles, in beautiful condition both body and running quality. After dropping my youngest at school, I was rear ended, but to my disbelief and that of the attending police, my Passat had only the slightest dent. The car that ran into me was totaled, the front end smashed, air bags off, and window broken. I feel totally safe in the Passat, and feel secure knowing that my children are riding in a quality built wagon.