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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  I love my Jetta! - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By amnotafish - August 20 - 12:56 pm

  After two years in this car Im still in love with it. I drive this car hard and fast and it keeps up with everyone. It hugs the road and feels much safer than other cars Ive driven. I get a lot of complments as well- especially from Jetta owners 99-02. If something (god forbid) were to happen to this car I would have to find another. The 98s are far superior to the newer VW models and kicks my friends Civic to the curb!

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  Fun to drive - lots of repairs - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tri1982 - August 20 - 12:23 pm

  When I first got my Jetta, I absolutely loved it. it handled well, accelerated quickly, and was a smooth ride. But I had problems right away. The transmission didnt shift smoothly. My car still jerks and lurches when shifting gears (although the 8 times I took it in, the mechanics never experienced anything). The electrical has had issues too. My windows roll down when I pull the button to roll the window up. My engine light has been on for the last year (although Ive taken it in 4 times. It goes off for a few days and then comes back on.) I love my Jetta, I just dont love all the repairs it needs.

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  Practical, Comfortable but not Spacious - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Weekender - August 20 - 9:36 am

  We bought this car for my wife. She uses it everyday and we use it on long trips. It is comfortable with an excellent, balanced ride. The rear seat is a little cramped but the boot is huge. It is good to drive albeit with excessive clutch play required at idling speeds. The transmission is short and crisp. The steering is precise. It inspires a somewhat erect driving position. The fuel economy we get is 24 mpg, it could be better if VW didnt make this strange choice of a 2.5 5-in-line engine which doesnt really have stellar performance.

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  The Only Car Ill Ever Drive... - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jason Roberts - August 20 - 4:50 am

  This is my second New Beetle, and I love it just as much as the first! I love the new paint options, (mine is Salsa Red) and the new interior refresh. It is easy on gasonline, and reliable under the hood...this car is again, a winner! The front seat passengers enjoy large amounts of leg room and head-space. The vehicle is safe and incredibly fun to drive. I always wonder if people on the road are looking at my car and wishing they had it :)

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  Check your measurments - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By mitch Gold - August 19 - 7:43 pm

  Be careful. They dont tell you. The antenna sticks up off the back of the roof 8-10 inches. Doesnt fit in my garage. Also you will have trouble putting 4 sets of golf clubs in trunk horizontally with 4 passengers.

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  VW Quality - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By mwestbrook - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my brand new GTI in March of 2002. I have already had both window regulators break, rendering my driver/passenger side windows useless and trapped inside both doors. Not good since I park my car on the street. It took over 3 weeks to get the windows fixed...because window regulators are on national back order. Now my right tail brake light is out and I only have 10,000mi on my car. It makes me wonder...whats next?

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  Do not buy! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gustopher - August 19 - 2:00 am

  When it runs, the car is great. Thats of course only on the occasional day when it isnt breaking down, the engine light coming on with sudden loss of power and stuttering acceleration, or the gas cap release falling into the abyss of the door leaving you stranded without gas. And all of this fun was in just the first 2 months we owned the car. The Ventilation system constantly whistling and doors unrelentlessly rattling and squeaking (normal by VW standards) just adds insult to injury. Nice touch, Volkswagon.

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  Best Car, Best Value - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By wheatie - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This car has been wonderful. I drove the new altima and accord and they both felt cheap compared to the passat. I thought I would have to sacrifice value, but I got heated seats, computer, 2 extra airbags for around $21,000.

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  VW GOT IT RIGHT - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Adrian - August 18 - 3:06 pm

  The Tiguan is comfortable, easy to drive,well thought out, reliable. Makes road trips something to look forward to. VW got this right kinda reminds me of the fun I had with my old VW bus.

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  Golf GLS - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By wfrye - August 18 - 9:36 am

  The Golf is a blast to drive, having only a few shortcomings. The cupholders are in the worst place imaginable and the cruise control is not intuitive. Otherwise very good ergonomics - even an adjustable center rest that gets out of the way for shifting. The car needs the 1.8 liter Turbo engine, though, as our 2000 Golf has. That gets the car rolling and it is much smoother and quieter too.