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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  Great car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By czilar - August 29 - 3:16 pm

  We bought this car used, trading in our beloved honda civic. My wife is very pleased, heated front seats, AWD (especially now that we have over a foot of snow!).

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  3 years ownership - my second favorite - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By ESSDEEKAY - August 27 - 7:33 pm

  Other than a 2003 Porsche, this R32 has been my favorite of the dozen cars (mostly European) I have owned the last 30 years. It is uber-practical and has as much performance as I need. I run it stock, other than the snow tires I switch to in winter months. Really pleased at the high resale value retained by this limited production car. Only "problem" I have experienced is an ocassional false "loose fuel cap" warning when the gas tank runs low. Low maintenance costs (relative to BMW/Porsche/Audi) has been a very pleasant bonus - less than half the amount of my other cars.

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  Very nice - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By oz10tx - August 27 - 12:29 pm

  I looked at several used cars before buying this. I was looking at the CC mainly as I felt the two VW models had more value than the other entry level luxury cars (BMW 3 series, MB C Class, Lexus, A4, CTS). I paid about 5-8k less for my passat. I know I gave up some performace but couldnt justify the extra for a little more pep as the speed limit is still 70. This car does cruise at 80 plus very smoothly though and dtill has some power left. I did go with the Passat with the ground effects and this really makes a huge difference on the look of the car. Put the same model side by side and it looks completely different from the more stock Passat. It wasnt really on my list until I found one.

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Polymath - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is the first car we got that wasnt a 6-cylinder (previous Accura, Mazda, Saturn were all 6 cylinder). We were plesantly surprised to see how smooth and powerful 4 cylinder Turbo can be. Decide not to pay extra $3000 for V6 and dont regret it. Excellent leather interior and thoughtul layout. AC even circulates through the globe compartment to keep things cool inside. Automatic transmission with Tiptronics offer the best of both worlds. Excellent safety and with ESP, the car felt solid in the snow storm we recently had here. Its fun driving the car again.

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  If you love to drive, youll like Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jlemiski - August 26 - 2:00 am

  First things first, this car is fun to drive. Its comfortable and quiet on the inside but has power when you need it. Its not a sports car if you drive it stock, but for what I was looking for, it was the perfect balance. The only thing I wish it had is more rear seat room, as there is not a lot if youre tall.

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  My Second Beetle - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bluebeetlebear - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is the second beetle I have owned, my first was a 2001 glx turbo 5 speed, I then got a 2003 jetta gls turbo, but I missed the beetle so much I traded back to a 2004 gls turbo beetle...WOW what a fantastic car! I love everything about the beetle.

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  This car rules - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By beetlecarowner123 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This car is a great car, everyone in the world should own this car. It is soooooo cute.

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  A Good Car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ajit Deva - August 25 - 4:23 pm

  This is a really nice car to have. The only thing that stinks about owning this car is the after sales service something, which VW is not great at doing. If you are buying the turbo please please buy it with a manual transmission cause the automatic has turbo lag.

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  Never mind the BMW, get a Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By KW - August 25 - 12:50 pm

  I stepped into this car from a BMW 325i, after considering a 525 or Infiniti G35. The Passat looks, feels and drives better, with more power and same confident German road handling. Not to mention a great deal more interior space and a more comfortable layout. In no time you are doing 60 without any strain on the V6. Its an absolute joy to drive - and for much less than comparably performing cars.

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  I would buy another! - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By shannywilson - August 25 - 6:03 am

  I bought my VW Touareg V6 in Oct. 05 after driving Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo, Toyota, you name it, I drove it. I was not a fan of VW vehicles until I sat in this ONE! I am now looking for a toy car, but dont want to give up driving this EVERY day! I cant imagine owning any other SUV. I will buy this again when a new body style comes out AND only after this has lots more miles! I highly recommend driving this and BUYING this truck!