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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  Just Doesnt Get Any Better Than This - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By AJVWPASSAT - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Wow...I just bought my 00 Passat GLS turbo sedan (moonroof, alloys) 2 weeks ago and I couldnt be any happier with it. The car got me 34mpg going from Ocean City, MD to central NJ! German engineering at its best!

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sam in Utica, NY - September 29 - 6:10 am

  My Jetta Wolfsburg constantly surprises me. After the 1,000 mile break-in, my gas mileage was 34 MPG on my last trip. The car takes regular gas, not premium as noted in some articles. It has plenty of pep with the manual transmission. I drove an automatic five cylinder and was underwhelmed by its performance. Do yourself a favor and buy the 5-speed. Youll save over $1,000 and have more fun driving. My last Jetta was an 03 Wolfsburg with the 1.8T. The 2.5 reminds me of my old Jetta, but the quality and reliability of the 07 has greatly improved.

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  WoW - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By dave farviknugen - September 28 - 9:06 pm

  For sure will get speeding tickets cause its way fun, surprised havent been stopped. Yet. Should be the best selling car in America. Canoes and kayaks fit fine on roof rack. Lots of stuff in back. Back seat is better than previous years VWs. Did I say this is fun?

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  Solid German Engineering & Build - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By Arkansas Joe - September 26 - 12:33 pm

  Very nice car although little too mushy for my own taste, this is The 6th VW car in my family over span of last 20 years, can tell that VW can build them like no other, 2.0T FSI does a great job!(efficiency plus power) Engine lags a bit during initial take off but speed climbs rapidly soon after, cruises like a V6 and ride is quiet, predictable and SMOOTH; the steering does become very precise as speed increases. Interior detail is awesome - Japan & US should take note, German still way ahead of the game here - ergonomics with ultra tight tolerance. First tank of gas got mileage of 23 mpg from 50/50 mix hwy & city driving, not bad! Exterior fit and finish is EXCELLENT, great lines!!

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  Blast to drive - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Addicted2fit - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I own a 2002 VW GTI and love the car. It is so fun to drive. For the money you cannot beat the value. The only complaint I have is some electrical problems from time to time. The dealership has been great about getting them fixed and getting me a loaner to drive while in service. Love the car and recomend it highly to all that ask.

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  Review - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jwarring23 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jetta GLS 2.0 automatic two weeks ago. It is a great ride, the leather package is a charm and it gets great gas mileage. I drove from Pensicola Florida to Atlanta Georgia on one tank of gas. Its a great buy.

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  Awesome - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brittnay - September 26 - 10:00 am

  best kar ever... best everything, steering,style, I love the jettas!

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  Most "Luv The Car Dude" per miles - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By SpiceUmUp - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE this car. More smiles per mile than any car I have ever owned. Solid, well built, top quality materials and NEARLY EVERYONE gives ya a thumbs up or a smile as you go by. Young kids call out to you and pretty women give you a smile. The rear seat is only for children or small adults but head room for this 6 2" driver is great with the top in place. The top goes down easily and back up just as well and it is as tight with the top up as many sedans. The car is wonderful. It handles well on the tristy country road, but a bit harsh over expension joints on the highway. The Short wheel base makes speed bumps tough.

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  Why doesnt everyone drive this car? - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Rich - September 25 - 12:53 am

  Ive had my Eos for 6 months now. Its amazing. Like a convertible without the hassle. Im not sure why everyone does not have this car. I have had no problems, and love the car. Its so much fun to drive. The top is perfect, no leaks, and always turns heads when you open and close it. The 6 speed manual trans is great. Much better than the 5 speed I had in my Jetta. The only minus I can think of is that you cant hear the whine of turbo anymore like in the 1.8T. VW needs to fix this. The whine was so cool. Also, with the top down there is too much body flex. They need to stiffen the frame a little.

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  Thrilled with the CC - 2013 Volkswagen CC
  By pawwap - September 24 - 1:19 am

  The German built CC is an excellent blend of performance, style and value. The 2.0 turbo engine is very peppy and responsive. A friend who recently drove my relatively new CC Sport was sure it was a 6 cylinder from its pick up. I have gotten up to 34.5 mpg on a combined road and street drive, that with the required premium gas. Generally, in town mileage has been about 26 mpg. The interior is very elegant and at a price that is much more reasonable than the VWs German counterparts. While I have had it only a short time, I traded in my 7 year old Passat (the best car I have ever owned) to get this snazzy sedan. I am so far, thrilled each time I get into the CC.