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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  All in All Good - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Uday - December 5 - 10:53 am

  When I first saw the car I had the same reaction as most, why on earth would VW want to get in to the Luxury market. However, after getting in to the car and viewing the Top Gear review on it I was completely sold. The car is everything for people who like to wear their brand names on the inside rather than all over their clothing.

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  Great decision - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Wirespy - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Originally, we werent too interested in buying VW even though we enjoyed 4 different VWs over the years. I checked out BMW and Volvo and finally put some money down on a new Nissan Altima SE (260HP Manual) which would be a month wait when I decided to do keep looking around. I heard that VW doubled their warranty and decided to check out the Passat merely for its size and look. As soon as my wife and I climbed into the car we looked at each other and smiled. Needless to say, we bought it almost on the spot and havent looked back!

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  Turbonium! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By CDN20VALVE - December 5 - 10:00 am

  I love my 2002 180hp GTI! I switched from a Sunfire GT to a VW, and I never looked back! The VW is a much more capable car in every way! No other car in its class can compete with it. I just came back from a camping trip, where I turned my German cruise missile into a stationwagon (folding down the rear seats). We carried everything, and people were amazed at how much we could fit in the GTI! Did I mention it was very fast?

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  Punches above its weight - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By caesara - December 4 - 1:38 pm

  Decided on Passat as best option among mid-size sedans with a manual option. Others with manuals only did so with uninspiring entry-level trim. Also like the SE/non-sunroof combination as I rarely use sunroofs and they reduce headroom. Looked at upscale sedans with manuals (BWM 5-series, Acura TL), but Passat ticks most of the boxes, and I have other uses for the cash. German engineering with made in the USA is a plus. So far (5 mos, 6k miles), very pleased in a variety of situations (commuting, kid hauling, nights out). No problems with build quality or otherwise. Black on black, with the style of the car, has a classic look that gets complements. Zehr gut!

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  Get a manual - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Sarah - December 2 - 12:26 pm

  After reading some of these reviews, Im not surprised that people had a lot of problems with the automatic transmission. My second VW was an automatic and I had to replace the transmission at 60K miles. Instead of letting the lease run its course, I got a great deal on my Bug Convertible. Its a manual transmission and have experienced NONE of the problems that my last VW had. The car is fun and sporty. Not too fast, but I drive like an old lady anyway. I also dont commute for work so my mileage is way low. I would recommend this car to anyone thats willing to buy manual, makes it even more fun.

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  very satisfied - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By meli - December 2 - 10:00 am

  this has been the most enjoyable, reliabe car Ive ever owned in 59 yrs. I have never been stranded and I have loved every minute of driving it.

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  i dont know what i would do without it - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lorene - December 2 - 10:00 am

  I have my Jetta TDI for 4 years, drive everyday to work, 34 miles one way. never left me sit. Even took it on a trip of over 2,000 miles. It did great, no problem finding fuel.

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  This car rocks!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By alibaba - December 2 - 10:00 am

  It has all the features, appointments and performance of a BMW 3 series for about half the price. And it is so much fun to drive!!

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  power on mountains - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Donald Dauenheimer - December 2 - 10:00 am

  I live Denver Colorado and I still like drive mountain roads that turbodiesal with automatic transmission that A/T have not change shift when steep hills and still lot enough power, it is lot help by turbodiesal, In past I was thought lack of power by show static number of power on paper before to buy car, VW dealer laugh me and give me key to drive test, love it to bought it.

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  The Car! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bluekate18 - December 2 - 10:00 am

  I have just recently purchased a silver one and I am loving it. It is a big change from an 86 Chevy Blazer. Leather seats really add class to the car. I am very comfortable driving it. The fact that there are so many air- bags and other safety features gives me a peace of mind when driving it out in this crazy world. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone, no matter your age, because it is an overall wonderful car.