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:

• 

  Great bang for the buck - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cchamelin - April 16 - 2:00 am

  The build quality and comfort of this vehicle far exceeded my expectations, and cost significantly less than comparably equipped camrys, accords and elantras. In the short time weve had it, weve been very pleased. Engine noise is minimal, the sound system is excellent, and the overall handling is great. When in S mode, the extra responsiveness of the engine is clearly felt. Its like a family sized sports car. Havent tried the Tiptronic mode yet, but cant wait for the opportunity. Though other reviews complain about the hard surfaces of the interior, I found that these were well done (not like cheap American hard surfaces) and were not a step down from the 2010 interior at all.

• 

  Best Car riding Experience at a low cost - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pgautam - April 15 - 9:30 pm

  I fell in love with this car the first time I saw it in the dealership where I had visited just see how it looked like. I had seen some pictures of it in website. It offered everything that I needed - leather seats, heated seats, sun roof, music system, elegant interior. Bests of German Engineering at a modest price. The interior looked so elegant and sharp, and it appealed me too much. I bought it on the same day.

• 

  VW R32 - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By James Dotts - April 15 - 7:00 am

  Car is absolutely amazing! Ive driven Camaros, Mustangs, and Corvettes, but this car blows them out of the water. Fun factor is definitely a 10!

• 

  Excellent Buy for the Money! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Paul - April 14 - 5:36 am

  I highly recommend this car if you are looking for a premium sedan that is fun to drive. With end of the year incentives it is a great buy for the money compared to the Camcords. If you must get the 2007 model, there are many options that were only available with the 6-cylinder engine that you can now get on the 2.0 turbo such as the adaptive bi-xenon lights, homelink, heatable windshield wipers, and dual zone climate control. This is especially true if you want a stick which was basically only offered in a stripped version in 2006. The engine is a well proven 200hp turbo that is also in the Audi product line. Reliability so far has been excellent. I love this car.

• 

  2006 Jetta TDI -- Best car purchase ever - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gary - April 13 - 3:00 pm

  At the time of purchase in August 2006, ours was one of only 3 remaining Package One models in the area equipped with the 6-speed automatic. The EPA highway mileage rating is 42 mpg, but our best ever was over 48! Though the 1.9 L turbo diesel is rated at only 100 horsepower, it feels to have every bit as much "get up and go" as our 2003 Passat with all that inherent diesel torque. The transmission is flawless and with all of those gears, it knows precisely when and where it needs to shift. The car attracts a fair amount of attention in terms of its refined German styling and its a hoot to drive. The German designers tend to build in a firm ride - not soft or spongy. 40,000 mi. no problems.

• 

  More Fun and More Room than in an Audi - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By nostatic - April 13 - 1:26 pm

  Ive never owned an "auto" tranny car until my DSG-equipped GTI. I was injured and couldnt work a clutch for a couple months. But I also club race and like control and performance. I also need to haul music gear and my 10 year old son to the beach, etc. This car does all of it and then some. It offers great luxury with the leather, heated seats, and climate control. The 2.0T engine has plenty of punch and the DSG transmission is a chameleon: drive it easy in D, harder in S, or full in manual mode with the paddle shifters. I drove an A3 also (same platform) but the GTI was more fun to drive *and* has more headroom, shoulder room, and more room in the back. I highly recommended this car. My other car is a 79 Porsche 911 that Ill never sell.

• 

  Atlas maybe the best midsize SUV - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By Ken Ayers - April 13 - 8:21 am

  I traded an Audi Q7 (2007) for an Atlas SEL Premium and I am more than satisfied. More room, more technology, better towing but not as good materials and acceleration. But it was $20,000 less expensive. The comfort, quality of ride on the interstate, quietness of the Atlas at interstate speed is as good or almost as good. The Fender sound system is much better than the Bose I had in the Audi Q7. More room and much easier to get in third row. Easier to enter and exit the back seat (2nd row). Factory towing of 5000 lbs was a plus and my travel trailer (3000 lbs) communicates with the car - turn signals and anti-theft warning. You cannot use a load leveling hitch on any VW product but it pull the trailer as easy as the Audi Q7 did except for acceleration. The Atlas does a good job but not as fast as the Audi. I think for the money this is a great SUV.

• 

  I LOVE MY PASSAT - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Terra Fornof - April 13 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR!! THE ONLY THINGS I CAN THINK OF THAT I DONT LIKE IS THE SLUGGISH TAKE OFF IN SITUATIONS WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE TO GET ON THE GAS FROM A COMPLETE STOP, AND THE MONSOON SOUND SYSTEM IS ONLY GOOD FOR CDS. OTHERWISE I HAVE GOTTEN SO MANY COMPLIMENTS ON WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CAR IT IS. ITS NICE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE A BRAND NEW SYLISH CAR FOR A DECENT PRICE. THERE IS NOTHING I WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE INTERIOR EITHER. IT IS VERY COMFORTABLE AND LUXURIOUS TO BE SO AFFORDABLE. AS A FORMER 99 BMW 323 OWNER, IT HAS ALL THE LOOKS OF LUXURY INSIDE AND OUT, BUT OFCOURSE YOU CANT COMPARE IT TO THE ENGINE OF A BMW! (OR THE PAYMENT!)

• 

  The secret stallion - 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
  By California 101 - April 12 - 6:20 pm

  Few of the other drivers on the road know what you have until you hit the gas. Youll get knowing looks from GTIs. A $50k car for half the price.

• 

  The secret stallion - 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
  By California 101 - April 12 - 6:20 pm

  Few of the other drivers on the road know what you have until you hit the gas. Youll get knowing looks from GTIs. A $50k car for half the price.