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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  Nice car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dinker Abraham - October 7 - 9:36 am

  Overall good performance, 1.8T lacks pick up problem in highways and all.

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  21,000 Miles So Far - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gordy - October 7 - 7:13 am

  This replaced my 2006 TDI in August. Think I was the third one sold by the dealer. Seat is the same as 2006, and I found out that new TDI(s) have electric passenger seat (I should have waited for it). Best mileage running Minnespolis to Louisville was 41 mpg (WINTER DRIVING). New EPA ratings are realistic for a change. Around Town gets around 33 mpg (WINTER DRIVING). I expect a minor improvement with straight #2 fuel. I love the mileage and feel of the car.

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  Outstanding Value - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Eddie Z - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Excellent aceleration, great interior. Adjustable suspension is great. Better value than Porsche.

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  i love my jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Toodlesbabe024 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  The car is great for zipping around town. For my first car while learning how to drive i think i picked a great one. Performance wise it comes with many great parts so you dont need to change any.

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  TDI- unbelievable - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Wendell - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my 2003 Jetta TDI wagon for 7 months now and I have to say its the greatest thing I have ever purchased. I get 45-50 MPG average with a Lead Foot! FUEL prices are as low as $1.45 at local truck stops and with a 700 mile range in the tank its easy to shop around. The car is well built with very little interior noise and a great factory radio. Overall Looks great, uns good, nothing but smiles here.

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  Most practical vehicle - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kwalter - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Driving from Detroit, MI to Dalton, GA on one tank of Diesel is quite impressive. This represents a distance of about 635 miles, and I got 49 mpg! It easily keeps up with every other car on the road, is comfortable and fun to drive, and it has plenty of trunk space. Just imagine how much money someone can save by using a VW Jetta Turbo Diesel 5M for going to work?

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  2000 VW Golf GLS 2.0L 115hp - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By Matthew Morse - October 6 - 10:00 am

  This is an excellent car overall, I appreciate the emphasis on safety by the manufacturer. This car is worth the premium in price over other cars in the same class.

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  Nice car! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jrbn11 - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Nice overall package! VW did a great job of putting this car togather! Very fun to drive!

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  Very Happy With Our 2012 VW CC - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By rjm2013 - October 5 - 5:21 pm

  We have been driving the CC for 5 months now and we love it! Cruises wonderfully and gives us just enough get up and go around the city to keep things interesting. Gas mileage is great, better than advertised. The 2.0 Turbo is a great engine that seems to perform better than the specs. The styling and quality, inside and out is classy lux for a price much less than similar lux vehicles. I definately like that we have yet to see another CC on the hwy. A truely beautiful car that performs admirably in its class.

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  my fast baby - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jose - October 5 - 1:26 pm

  When I first got in this car and heard the whistle of the turbo engine.. I was like this is my new baby.. its fast, handles great.. looks cool.. feels like luxury without the expense