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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  Surprise,Surprise - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By LAL - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I got behind the wheel I fell in love. The feel the appointments, ie: the massage, air conditioned, heated seats.. the way the dash is put together.. the indirect airflow on the AC/Heating system and the sound of the telematics, and the all wheel drive, enticed me to buy this car. the superior customer service I have recieved.they pick up the car for service and for any problems,I called them they came with a loaner car and delivered my car back the next day washed and in perfect condition.. I love the idea of not waiting or going for sevice. LOVE the car and was very surprised that VW could do such a great job,

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  Good German Car - 2004 Volkswagen Golf
  By IloveCarz1081 - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I was undecided about what kind of car I wanted I looked at everything from honda to hyundai. At the end of the day I just wanted something like a mercedes or bmw, but i didnt want to spend that much although I could afford it, therefor I am using VW, cheaper payment plus same fun

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  love the bug - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lamama - December 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is great for what it is. A fun, cute car perfect for one person, maybe two. I have a two year old who has only know this car and loves it still, but its starting to get too small to be a family car. Still Ive only had good things come from driving it. I hate to see it go. My only complaints are that its hard to see the front of the car, because of the design, so you really have to get used to it and drive by instinct instead of sight. And the side panels are wide and create blind spots. But its only caused me to be more careful.

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  A Car As it Should Be - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By StanVWMan - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I drove many late models and tested a bunch before buying VW T-g. Go with V8. It is a good feeling to drive one of the most powerful and safe cars on the road (counting some of the 18-wheelers too). Like with many others German- designed cars - it is a car "as it should be". Particularly, an SUV as it should be. Poor us, we just didnt know how admirable a real present-days SUV can be. And poor folks settling for so- called "reliable" Honda/Toyotas "SUVs". Touareg is a car that makes you want to get up in the morning and drive (ironically for some - to work, to earn the monthly payments). Over sudden, I have a new meaning in life

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  Very Impressed - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Jalan - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Have had the V-8 for 1 week and have gone on a road trip of 500 miles. I am very impressed with the smoth drive and handling of this SUV. My wife drives a Lexus RX-300 which is nice but not in the league of this vehicle. I looked at the BMW, Volvo and the new Infiniti, but am so glad I made the correct decision.

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  Tourag - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Jack Port - December 1 - 2:00 am

  The car is solid, quiet, and has a great sense of confort and protection.

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  The SUV to buy - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By BMW NO MORE - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my BWM X5 after almost 3 years of pure nightmares when the warranty was going to expire and I was about to have to pay for continual problems. The Touareg is a dream in handling and comfort. Go for the premium package and suspension system. Loaded, this SUV is bargain. The V6 didnt have enough power and acceleration but the V8 has a rapid response and great handling.

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  MY LITTLE "SWEET PEA" - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By TED CHANOCK - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1960 BEETLE AND OWNED IT WHEN I FIRST MET MY WIFE IN 1962. I LOVED IT AND HAD IT FOR 5 YEARS. MY WIFE RECENTLY DIED AND NOSTALGIA SET IN AND I NEEDED TO BE RE-CONNECTED TO THIS WONDERFUL MEMORY OF HER. I AM SO GLAD I PURCHASED THE 2004 BEETLE. IT NOT ONLY LOOKS GREAT, BUT I AM UTTERLY IMPRESSED BY THIS QUALITY MACHINE. IT OFFERS ME EVERYTHING I WAS LOOKING FOR AND MORE.

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  WOW - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Justin - November 30 - 10:16 pm

  I just got this Jetta after owning an Audi A4. It handles better, the pickup is better, and so too is the fuel economy. With the new body style, you no longer feel like you are driving around in your little brothers car. This is an amazing car. The interior is plush and well thought out, and the exterior is sleek and refined. My only advice would be to be sure to spring for the 2.0T engine. While the other styles do offer ample power, the 2.0T really gives you excellent go power. I will never buy another Audi again, not because they arent wonderful too...but because the only thing missing from the VW is the five rings on the front...oh, and the larger pricetag.

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  Awesome! - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By ShopCar - November 30 - 4:43 pm

  Well worth waiting for. We were inches away from buying a different SUV (compact) So glad we waited. If you have ever driven a GTI, or Jetta with the 2.0T, this SUV is just that but you sit up higher, and it is AWD. Seats are very comfy and supportive. Lots of room in the rear sets. The icing on the cake is the panoramic moonroof WOW!!!! and has an extra electric screen that will cover the open moonroof. Also handles bumps in the road very.