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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  Shaped like a lemon, too - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kurt - November 7 - 7:30 pm

  Oof the greatest disappointments I have ever had with a vehicle. 1 alternator, 1 brake master cylinder, 2 power steering pumps, 2 fuel tank senders, 2 window switches, 1 radio, 1 lower radiator hose, 2 cooling fans and 1 fuel door actuator and oil consumption of 1 quart every 3000 miles which, according to VW, is within specification for a car with 22k miles on the clock. The only saving grace is that the lease is up in a few months. Kurt

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  Lion of the concrete Jungle - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sharkie - November 7 - 5:26 pm

  I love my car to RAS!!! VWs especially the VR6 (jetta/golf) go down well with people who love and care for them and not recommended for car neglects. Treat them well and they will go down in history with you. I will never drive anything else than a VW (6cyl) or an Audi. The good thing about them is you can really supe them up nice and steady. They are great @ curves and i will always recommend the shift stick (6spd) to transmission.

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  VW GTI - Great Performance to Economy - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By JM - November 6 - 6:53 pm

  Traded a Touareg V8 - Loaded for the New GTI MKV. The replacement is economically friendly and no disappointment to drive. The best features include the DSG transmission. There is a little too much road noise - but nothing too distracting.

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  250k Mile Review - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bluebirdfan - November 6 - 4:23 am

  Original owner of a great commuter car. Have had no major problems mechanically. Still get 44 mpg overall with 80/20 hwy/city. Ride and drive a re still surprisingly good despite having 250,000 miles. Bought the car to be able to haul cargo and get good gas mileage after using a 1/2 ton truck. Still on original clutch, brakes, transmission, etc. Very impressed with the car overall and would not hesitate to buy again when this one dies.

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  pure waste of money - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By monkey mike - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Worst excuse for a car I have ever seen. Interior is cheap and everything breaks (glovebox latch, power window buttons, etc) plus the seats fade really quickly. On the mechanical side, this car is a nightmare. Power window on drivers side went out, and the window actually shattered inside the door panel. Took a month to get a new regulator in. Engine makes popping noises that the dealer cant figure out how to remedy. Check engine light keeps coming on. Trunk button on inside of car does not actually release the trunk latch. I guess that will fully break pretty soon. Also, the interior of the car is full of rattles and squeaks.

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  EXCELLENT - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By JBTKD - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I FIRST LIKED THECAR BECAUSE OF LOOKS AND ONCE I DROVE I WAS IN LOVE.

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  Cabrio - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By playa8604 - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Overall, the car is great, however, Ive only had it for about a year and a half and have already had to put it in the shop a few times for minor problems (the radio volume did not go to soft.) If youre looking for a cute convertible thats good in the winter as well as the summer, the cabrios a good choice

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  awesome car!! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By kdjafadj;l - November 6 - 2:00 am

  awesome car fun to drive, very few problems but for 25,000 dollars well worth it

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  My fingers are crossed - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By zbignew - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Good so far, but still, a few typical problems: Three window regulator replacements. Chipping and scratching on the inner door handles and sliding cig lighter/coin tray lid. The front spoiler assembly has been dragged off its flimsy plastic attach points. Replacement of the A/C adapter next to the coin tray. The left driver door creaks. Chances are, the mechanics previous job was fixing shopping carts. The service center waiting room is a kingdom of Woe. The car has been fine so far, but Im thinking about making a clean break when the lease is up.

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  This is a nice car - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mike Mc - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Pretty reliable and the V6 with manual is a fun combo!