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 this car - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By zman - December 14 - 1:23 pm

  I bought this car after researching cars to buy for the past three years.I cross shopped it with the Acura TSX the VOlkswagen GTI and the Honda Accord. I needed a four door that was well built, a drivers car, comfortable, fuel efficient and under 29K. The car looks and feels so much more expensive than it is. I have the fake two tone leather, and the seats are better than my previous cars real leather seats. Excellent computer information system that allows you to customize everything from how long the lights stay on after you leave the car to what speed to remind you to slow down. The standard premium radio has excellent sound reproduction, works with ipod and supports Bluetooth hands free.

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  The Best One So Far.... - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ray Cavanagh - December 13 - 7:10 pm

  I owned a 2002 SLK and 2003 BMW Z-4. After spending a fortune for upkeep of these two cars I dumped them both and bought a 2007 Convertible, and a 2008 Triple White coupe. They both run circles around my former car. I have homes in both Sacramento and Palm Springs, a ride of 500 miles. Both cars get me there in style and comfort. So far, I have been happy with both. The comfort level and handling has been outstanding. Love the fact that I am putting regular gas in and not the premium I was so use to. I will never do the luxury car route again when I can get a better car in the New Bug.

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  The best car I have ever had - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mohavi - December 13 - 10:00 am

  P E R F E C T, what can I say...Great on gas, fun to drive, I bought it used with 89k miles, changed the oil, spent total 100 dollars on it, and just kept it maintained by changing the oil, tune ups, tire rotation, and basic maintainance. I never had a problem with it. TRUST YOUR VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. Before you buy your new volkswagen, take it to a dealer, invest that 40 dollars to have it checked, they can tell you exactly what needs to be done and what kind of condition it is in. This is the best car I ever had, when I am ready for a newer car, I will buy a newer Jetta. Love it

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By Widdsfly - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle to replace my 1997 S10 and I couldnt be happier. The power is adequate, the mileage is excellent, and overall it seems to be one of the best vehicles I have owned.

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  fun - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shiner - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is very fast and a lot of fun. I too had the coil problem, but my dealer fixed it quickly and gave me a rental in the mean time. Since then it has run flawlessly. Second gear is a bit funny. If you dont hit it just right it can bog a bit. Otherwise, Im looking forward, and fully expecting, to taking it to 300k miles.

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  volks review - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By eyewired1 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  nice car, good handling, decent acceleration while maintaining fuel economy, lots of good options. Apleasure to drive

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  Fine Car So Far - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Bob A. - December 12 - 12:20 pm

  I purchased my Touareg used in June of 2006 from a reliable dealership that sold this car new. The previous owner had issues with the radio, which was replaced, tires (the dealer replaced them with top line Michelins prior to buying) and a leaking tail light. Since June, the only issue has been the tire pressure sensors, which go off frequently when the weather turns cold. Re-store and its fine again. I have heard nothing but complaints about this car and have yet to be disappointed by it. It has plenty of pick up from the V6 engine, smooth shifting through the gears, and I have averaged 18.7 MPG on for 4,000 miles. I heard VIN#s over 60,000, have fewer problems as they fixed many issues by then. Mine VIN is 63,500 (last numbers).

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  Ill never buy a gasoline engine again - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By scoot - December 12 - 1:26 am

  My TDi is driven 600 or so miles weekly, averages 42-46 mpg and has great get up and go. The blind spot needs getting used to (turn your head) and oil changes are not cheap. Driven in all weather, no complaints. I just dont understand why more people dont drive a diesel. Go with package 2, the DSG is outstanding, get used to the loud idle, after all it is still a diesel. 32,000 miles without any mechanical issues

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  Awesome Ride! - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By LarryC - December 10 - 4:13 am

  This is my 3rd VW, the first two being a Beetle and Super Beetle I bought back in 1969 and 1973. Ive forgotten how much fun VWs are to drive. This car seems quicker than the posted times with smooth as silk shifting. Brakes are going strong after 20K miles. Awesome Ride!

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  Had to Have It - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By vagentlemanjon - December 9 - 3:26 pm

  I just bought my first new car at 45 years of age yesterday, a 4-door 07 Rabbit, fully loaded with new alloys to boot. It has 153 miles on it, so I am in the honeymoon phase for sure. After looking carefully around, I decided the Rabbit was the best value around for about $20,000. It is quiet, peppy, and tight as a drum, with a fab interior -- which is so much nicer than a Japanese interior it is a little hard to believe the price is comparable. My Dad had a 77 Champagne Edition Rabbit when I was in HS, and it was also tight and fast. He was horrible at maintenance, and got 220,000 out of it.