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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  Wonderful Value - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve - March 12 - 10:15 am

  I bought this car one year old with 12,000 mi, certified at a VW dealership, for $12,700. Its been an excellent car for the money. On a level highway, I routinely get more than 40 mpg. The car is quiet, composed, comfortable, and hasnt had any reliability problems. Its worth taking a look at, especially if you need something simple for commuting. I only wish the car had 6 forward gears as the 5-speed gearing shows some gaps on mountain roads.

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  Wonderful Value - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve - March 12 - 10:15 am

  I bought this car one year old with 12,000 mi, certified at a VW dealership, for $12,700. Its been an excellent car for the money. On a level highway, I routinely get more than 40 mpg. The car is quiet, composed, comfortable, and hasnt had any reliability problems. Its worth taking a look at, especially if you need something simple for commuting. I only wish the car had 6 forward gears as the 5-speed gearing shows some gaps on mountain roads.

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  Great car! Fun to drive! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By glenn savary - March 12 - 5:43 am

  I highly recommend leasing or buying. Great acceleration and handling. Only cons are basic climate control (no temp control or automatic settings) and unable to lock doors manually. Otherwise a great car.

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  Great car! Fun to drive! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By glenn savary - March 12 - 5:43 am

  I highly recommend leasing or buying. Great acceleration and handling. Only cons are basic climate control (no temp control or automatic settings) and unable to lock doors manually. Otherwise a great car.

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  Most Roomy SUV in Class - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By Scottow - March 11 - 6:07 pm

  This is the only choice in its segment if you need minivan utility and space. The buff books have criticized the old VR6 engine choice in this heavy vehicle, but it has a lengthy history of reliability and I appreciate that VW doesn’t make its customers into crash test dummies. The simple straightforward controls are ergonomic and easy to decipher. Lots of cargo room . The interior is spartan but tremulous attention to detail- very Bauhuas like all VW products. The car is large but easy to maneuver.

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  My head turning TDI - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By dan gasparo - March 10 - 8:26 am

  I purchased the Touareg V10 TDI with the intention of using it as a tow vehicle for our travel trailer. While it performs exceptionally in that role I use it as my primary means of transportation as it is so much fun to drive. In all traffic and weather conditions, city, highway, rain, or snow, it is always responsive and sure footed. That plus the admiring glances and constant "hey mister what is that" make me feel about a car like I havent felt since I was a kid.

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  So Glad I went with it. - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By mac - March 9 - 3:33 pm

  My wife and sons take my car every chance the get. I have trouble sometimes getting it to drive. It is smooth and reliable. I really was going back and forth on which car i wanted and test drove many and settled on the EOS and glad I did. The interior is excellent I do wish the back seat had a little more leg room but I don;t plan to sit in the back. the Stereo system is tops and the control of the car is tops. i am surprised on how quiet it is when the hard top is on.....Great Car

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  VW should be selling more of these ... - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By early74b - March 9 - 8:31 am

  Getting this Touareg was a big step up from the 09 VW Routan SEL that I traded in for it as I no longer needed the 3rd row but wanted something a bit more luxurious, etc. and this SUV fits the bill! Very solid build quality, exceptional navi/voice controls, upscale digital info screens (both between the front gauges and main screen) and VWs leatherette feels and acts just like real leather although perforated to be cool during summer. Tons of room in rear seats (slide back 6" for more leg room) and ride, power, smooth 8-speed trans all excellent. Executive class cruiser! Test drive other mid-size SUVs and then drive one of these and youll see the difference --

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  What a Great Car - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Marty - March 8 - 11:53 pm

  This is a wonderful car. I am 62" tall, and the drivers seat goes back too far. It is a great ride, with just the right amount of road feedback. Its A/C works great.

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  well worth spending your money on a golf - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By Nemanja.C - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I owne a Golf GL 1994, i got it in 1996 with only 45,000km on it, for a good price. Ever since then i love the car its been great driving it. Good performance, fast good on gas, a nice looking car in general. Did some mods. on it but overall to be honest i would be lying to you if i didnt said this car is the best car on the market today.