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:

• 

  Minor problems will lose customers - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By drat445 - October 24 - 3:20 am

  We have 99 Civic SI + 02 Passat wagon. The Honda has had no major issues, meanwhile, the VW: sunroof doesnt respond to dial. The trunk no longer responds to the drivers side button. Alarm sometimes goes off when car is stopped and doors opened. Recently the car floor got very wet... turns out the drainage from the sunroof can get clogged. Apparently the AC is somehow attached to same drainage. Dealer svc mentioned this is a common problem. Seats (cloth because we have dogs) seemed comfortable during the purchase, but are quite painful to some on long-distance drives. IMO a lumbar support location problem. Gear ratios between 1st and 2nd is very poorly spaced. Somewhat noisy, rough ride.

• 

  Love The Tiguan - 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By roger8989 - October 24 - 12:05 am

  Lots of power,Drives positive like a sports car,went on a trip using premium fuel 31mpg hiway Chilliwack Volkswagon(keith) gave me a great deal and there are quite a few other Tiguans around now so I assume others have had a great deal also! I talked to someone complaining about lugging but it is supposed to keep it in the highest gear possible to keep the RPMs down to save fuel (it is doing what it is supposed to do lol!)

• 

  Fun to drive when the car works. - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By hombeboyfu - October 23 - 10:26 pm

  The TDI Beetle has some nice characteristics to it like great fuel economy, reasonable amount of torque produced from the 1.9L engine, and overall fun to drive. The down side is the car is almost completely plastic. So expect thing to randomly break apart on it. These cars is riddled with electrical problems that doom every VW owner to spend massive amounts of time and money at repair shops. In conclusion, unless you have plenty of money, time, and want to become a good friend of your local VW/Audi Tech avoid this car like it was an ex-spouse with the plague.

• 

  Good Car - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By smwhitten1 - October 22 - 4:50 am

  I bought this car 3 years ago. Aside from normal oil changes and maintenance, this is the best car I have ever owned and would definitely buy another one.

• 

  unreliable dream car - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dan - October 22 - 3:40 am

  I bought my TDI used with 20,000 miles on it. It now has 120,000 miles. The car is fun to drive and gets great gas mileage but thats all I can say good about it. I have had trouble with A/C 3 times, pwr windows, hardware falling off, engine immobilizer, light bulbs, radio reception, and ... The worst part is the quality of service. I have tried 3 different dealers. Ive had 8 VWs over the years but this is the last one!!

• 

  Great Wagon. - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By jmfos - October 21 - 7:10 pm

  This car is so much more enjoyable to drive then the car we replace (05 pilot). I know its a total different vehicle. But its interior looks and feel are so much nicer and it has a lot of intuitive features built in that only come in high end Japanese cars (Acura, lexus, not Honda and Toyota). When you start to read about the many little things that you can customize, like setting certain memory functions for the key fob, this car is hard not to like. If you are in the market for a wagon or sedan, once you test drive this car, the competition just wont look as appealing because the driving dynamics and handling on the Passat our so much better.

• 

  Best Overall Car - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TDICT - October 21 - 12:56 am

  I have owned 15 cars over the past 30 years ranging from a Subaru to a Porsche. The Jetta TDI is the best overall so far. Low price, great gas mileage, fun to drive, roomy, great build quality and love the huge sun roof.

• 

  Excellent All-Around Vehicle - 2013 Volkswagen GTI
  By depassos - October 20 - 7:47 pm

  This car does everything well. Interior and exterior fit and finish are excellent. The car has plenty of power and delivers it uniformly with almost no turbo lag. The gearbox shifts easily and quickly and clutch update is very smooth. Handling is precise with just a bit of understeer which can be corrected with a little extra gas. With 18" wheels, the ride is firm but not punishing. I might consider switching to 17" wheels when its time for new tires. Fuel economy matches the EPA estimate around town and its easy to exceed the 31 MPG rating on the highway. Its a pleasure to drive this car anywhere under any conditions.

• 

  Love the TDI - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By scooter - October 20 - 7:46 pm

  I have had the TDI for 3 weeks now. I looked at the A3 TDI, but it was $8,000 more and wasnt as well equipped. The Jetta has the same engine and transmission, so I didnt need the four rings. The Jetta is also much more spacious and has a bigger trunk. I love this car. It is fun to drive, well built and gets great mileage. Im averaging 39mpg on mostly city driving. i bought this car as a third car. My BMW 530xi hasnt left the garage since.

• 

  retired my old passat - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By andy - October 20 - 3:43 am

  Bought the CC after unsuccessful attempts to find Jetta TDI wagon. distinctly different from my 03 passat,the CC looks great. the ride is typical VW firm,the interior is 9/10s Audi.seating is much better d/t power adjustments.Ive always driven Man. trans-so I thought Id do so again. After 2 test drives, I felt auto seems more appropriate. The vinyl (leatherette) feels fine but is probably not as durable as real leather. All in all a very sleek, comfortable long- distance cruiser.