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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  Amazing VW Pride - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Volkswagen Pride - January 2 - 10:00 am

  What an awesome car to drive. I have always been into Volkswagens, and if you cant afford the new R32 GTi then the next best thing would be the VR6, but the 1.8T is just as much fun!

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  We Love Our Touareg! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Jim & Dera - January 2 - 10:00 am

  This machine is an awesome SUV & Sports Car all in one!!!! We successfully drove this vehicle up a snowmobile path ( former railway track here in Newfoundland .....pushing 12 inches of snow ) and thought for sure we would get it stuck in the snow!!! Lots of power on the Highway too.....our V8…. 310 HP is registered for 320km per hour! We love the interior ( lots & lots of real walnut wood trim )…… Cadillac & Lincoln should take heed here! Tire pressure monitoring system saved us trouble yesterday, front tire picked up a nail ( unsuspectingly to us ) and instrument panel warned of irregular tire pressure. Make no wonder "Motor Trend Magazine" named it 2004 Sport Utility of the year!

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  My beetle & Me - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By clc2580 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  When the New Beetle Hatchback came out in 1998, I knew that I wanted have one as my very own. But once the word was out about the Convertible I had to get it instead. I own a Sundown Orange one w/black-grey interior....which was very hard to get (limited availibity in NJ) and I absoultely love it! Great handling, quiet smooth ride, love the blue and red dash...rear seats are more spacious than I thought. Trunk space is a little disappointing, but the head room and "open" feel of the interior makes up for it. Its almost like a clown car...looks so small outside, but once inside you feel so comfortable. My tallest friends (at around 62") fit without any trouble. Limited glove box storage....

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  Best Ive Owned - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jim - January 1 - 2:10 am

  Best car ever owned. Bought for the safety features, 30+ MPG, four adults capacity and could not be more pleased. Using mid-grade gas, average 33 MPG in easy driving and 25 when pushed hard. No reliability issues whatsoever. Great driving experience feeling like a much more expensive car. Very stable and cruises at 85 without feeling sensation of speed. Surprised by the power of the Turbo 4; more surprised at the combo of power and excellent gas mileage. Major complaint is the original equip Goodyears slipped badly when wet / cold. Bought a set of dedicated snow tires for my snowy CT winters and replaced the summer tires with Continentals -- problem solved. Id buy again!

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  Fun Driving and Simplicity - 2013 Volkswagen GTI
  By markvw - December 30 - 5:42 am

  I struggled with the decision of which car I would be buying. I wanting something safe, practical (for my soon to be growing family) and fun to drive. The GTI has exceeded all of my expectations. I decided to purchase the DSG Autobahn model and it is stunning. It is a smooth drive and has just enough "get-up" for me to navigate around Houston drivers. My two golden retrievers fit in the back with the seats laid down

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  an absolutely solid car, without a new car replacement - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By topagentgroup - December 30 - 3:09 am

  I bought this car with about 20000 miles at less than a year old for $15500. Im at 138000 with a private party value of $4500, its been going up in value the past 3 years! An absolute joy to drive with the 4 cyl turbo and 34mpg. It seems to be a timeless styling blck/blck shines nicely. Synthetic only!! cant stress that enough and use the VW coolant. everyday garages will mess this car up like a bad hangover. I found an old VW specialized mechanic, wont let any other cars in the garage and has kept it running well for reasonable $. Replaced, timing belt/water pump at 80k, both frnt window regulators, 3 sets of tires/brakes, 2CV joints, 1 set of rotors,fuel pump at 136k due to ethanol

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  very nice car - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By lyons - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Whenever I read a review of a Passat, it usually states that it was just like a Saab but didnt break down. After being left stranded more times than I can count with Saab, I drove the Passat and fell in love. This has been a flawless car - and its never left me stranded.

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  My new passat - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By hfbouyett - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Great experience, great materials, lot of fun to drive.

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  Great Car Greater Engine - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Pat - December 29 - 6:43 pm

  I have the car over here in Germany and it is great, the 2.5 engine is a dream, strong and smooth. Gas mileage is fine and it uses regular gas. The engine to me is better than the German Twin Charger 1.4L (drove one, while my car was being serviced)If the 2010 Rabbit has this engine, I will buy that.

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  Great Car - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By sachin - December 28 - 12:50 pm

  My 2003 Volkswagen Golf is great. It gets excellent gas mileage, about 600 miles per tank of fuel.