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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  Market winner - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By Simon Codrington - December 3 - 1:56 pm

  So we now have 12,000 miles on the car in six months. We have done Long freeway runs and school runs and the car continues to impress. While the V6 could be more powerful it delivers its power in such a smooth way that it never really feels short of power. The interior is great. Vw just got the design right for families and it is just that bit better than any other SUV out there. For a big car it still drives like a much smaller vehicle. The adaptive cruise control and lane control are make highway driving a pleasure. With winter tires on it also seems to defeat any ice and snow that we have seen so far. For the price it is one of the best SUV’s available and as longtime VW customers we couldn’t be happier with it.

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  Love it - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Thomas C - December 3 - 1:53 pm

  I purchased the sport trim w/ Bluetooth+Sirius radio. I traded in an 01 Audi A4. The car is overall superb. The car rivals the BMW/A4 models in the 30-40k class even in the sport model. Outside: The car looks better in person. The aesthetics are more in-line with a Lexus IS250 as opposed to a VW. Inside: Regardless of what trim you select the car comes with numerous amenities normally expected ala carte. Pay close attention to the standard list. The 2.0L turbo 4 cyl engine is deceptively powerful in tandem with the transmission. Even the non-leather V-tex seating has a leather feel to it. Leather wrapped steering wheel, power adjustable heated seats, climate control...

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  Zoom - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bill - December 3 - 6:53 am

  Ive only had my Jetta for a week, but boy have i had a blast. I wanted a sports sedan but couldnt really afford an Audi or a BMW. The GLX VR6 Jetta turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. The VR6 engine is more than powerful enough for me to get my kicks, and with the GLX trim line, I feel like Im sitting in a $30,000+ car.

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  Drives great. Features are awful - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By jdp5000 - December 2 - 10:45 am

  Cons. Everything else. Radio/GPS is the worst I have ever had. Often when your first turn the car on the radio/nav wont respond to commands for 1-2 minutes. When I put the car in reverse the backup camera doesnt come on for 1-2 minutes also. By that time I am long out of a parking space. Worthless. Navigation wont allow address entry for the first 1-2 min. The Nav entry system is cumbersome and just poorly designed. Remote start is also designed by a moran. You have to start the car and then restart the car when you enter it. VW-carnet is worthless. It is as though Vw just threw somethin

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  Judging a book by its cover - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Cookin998 - December 2 - 10:10 am

  My third VW, Ive gone from Jetta to Passat and now to CC. In the transitions I was a bit disappointed in the Passat (like most 90s VWs, it had its electrical problems). The CC restores my faith in VW. My wife is a BMW gal and she loves this car. The ride (in stop-and-go, on country roads or highway) is a lot tighter than her 535. The standard features are incredible (could use a better sunroof though) for a car in this price range and the tires and rims that come standard need absolutely no upgrade. Within the first two months every single person who rides with me in this car or even sees the car in a parking lot asks about it. I would definitely recommend this, just negotiate a good price

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  So disappointed with my 99 Passat - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Clare Grief - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my VW Passat new in 1999. It has been back to the dealer regularly ever since. Engine fan, engine temperature sensor, interior and exterior body moldings, major oil leaks, oil coolant leak and finally last month, the spark control module failed leaving me stranded on the side of the road. These repairs have cost me over $3,500. This is by far the most unreliable car I have ever owned and it has only done 34K miles.

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  Passat GLX 4 Motion - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ride0238 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  This is the 2nd Passat GLX 4 Motion that I have owned and I hope that it is as good as the first one. I had no problems with the 2000 GLX and this one is just an improved version.

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  passat experience - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ron1000 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  good car so far fun to drive

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  Its awsome - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Anthony Alcantrara - December 2 - 2:00 am

  this one of the best car i ever had

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  Strong, Not comfortable,dials difficult - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Michael - December 1 - 2:06 pm

  Its a nice looking car, you just need to improve the cushioning in the seating and back, the radio is very difficult to read in the dark, and the red lights for the dash are difficult. But, it drives into the mountains, and through them nicely. It also does well so far in the city. A number of men and women have said its a nice looking vehicle.