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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  Great car! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Pam - October 10 - 3:31 pm

  Economical and great to drive.

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  Back to Fun Driving - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By 2-GTI Guy - October 10 - 10:33 am

  Traded in my Audi A3 3.2 Quattro after three years. This GTI is more fun to drive, and is a better mix of great handling and comfortable ride. The exterior styling is good (better than 09), but the interior is what makes the car great. Solid, hi-luxe feel. I got the Dynaudio system (get it..it rocks), the leather (was nice in my MK IV, and nice here), Nav (didnt need it, but it beats the Audis nav), and the Black Karthoum Wheels (dealership had to order). This car is fast, fun, and feels like I spent a ton more than I did, even with all the options I added. Nice work, VW! Oh, and my mileage is WAY better than with the Audi.

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  Best VW Yet! - 2016 Volkswagen Passat
  By Laura H - October 9 - 11:37 pm

  So 5 years ago I ended up trading in my 4th Honda Accord for a VW Jetta GLI. Id never driven a VW before and loved the fact that the steering and suspension was firm and the inside of the car was very well put together. All of a sudden my kids have grown and we needed a larger family car. After months of looking and waiting for the 2016 Passat to come out, we test drove and I fell in love. I still get the pick up I got from my Jetta in this car. I love the DSG and yet this has a bit more comfortable ride than my Jetta because the suspension is a bit softer. I love the interior finish and all of the "niceities" that come with the SEL V6. Im super impressed with all of the safety features and the new technology in this car. I really cant say enough wonderful things about it. Im told they arent making very many of these in a V6, there were only 4 in the Houston Metro area and none of them were the color I wanted. Mine came from San Antonio about 4 hours away and there were only 2 there. If you are considering the feel of a luxury car without the price tag, try this. I really cant say enough wonderful things about it!

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  Very Pleased Indeed - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jkingston - October 8 - 10:00 am

  This is an extraordinary SUV. I prize its high speed highway manners. Close your eyes and you can imagine that it is a 7 series BMW sedan. High speeds, cross winds phase it not at all. The engine transmission combination is a winner! Very silky and satisfying. I compared it to the Volvo XC90, MDX and Cayenne S. Actually this one was the winner for long distance driving. Yes the Cayenne has an edge if you want to toss it around, but it is less comfortable for long trips. We had a couple of minor warning light glitches that the dealer solved at once.

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  Caries my family, lets me have fun too! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sir Maestro - October 8 - 4:46 am

  Bought my Jetta GLS Wolfsburg new in 2001, and have loved it since day one. The standard hp/torque of 150/155 is adequate for spirited driving, and can easily be boosted to 210/230 with chip upgrades. the standard sports seats and suspension are good improvements over the GLS stock equipment. It is not one of those Japanese tuner cars, but it can be easily tuned and styled - many aftermarket suppliers are available. I have experienced no significant reliability issues - dealer loyalty pays off with some items replaced at no charge. The check engine light goes on/off and the dealer cannot always locate the source/trouble. I love the exterior styling, and everything inside feels nice to the touch and controls are located exactly where they should be.

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  Volkswagens Rule, Especially Passats - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kenneth Copeland - October 7 - 11:13 am

  You just cant get a better car. I love Volkswagens, always have. When my 2001 Passat 1.8t started having a few problems, I considered trading up. I found this 2007 2.0t with the luxury 2 package and everything else. This car would crush my last one in the ditch, even though my last one was really powerful. Volkswagen can pull so much power out of a 4 cylinder engine. I would never buy a turbo elsewhere. Go drive one, and I promise you will not be let down. I love this Passat because of the hundreds of thoughtful little additions made to make the car more user friendly. The shopping bag hook in the trunk is great.

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  Loving my Cabrio - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By thoughtcatalyst - October 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is pure fun combined with VW reliability. The electric top allows me to put the top up or down at a stop light allowing incredible flexibility. Ive also driven it on slippery roads up to ski. It performed without any trouble with only ugraded radials on the front. The heated seats are also a welcome treat on cold mornings.

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  Sweet Car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By J. Mawer - October 5 - 8:00 pm

  Well, let me just say this is one of the most fun cars Ive ever driven. My old car was a 1981 VW Diesel Rabbit with 52 hp. It really was a good car. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI VR6 is a huge step up from the Rabbit. This car has more than enough passing power, and if you are not careful, it can be hard to drive the speed limit. Its really comfortable to sit in, I mean with heated leather seats and all. The seats just wrap around you. The 6-speed manual transmission is so cool, going 60 mph your RPMs are at about 2,200. I test drove many other cars before this one, but none come close to the GLI. I am really happy with my decision to get the GLI. This car has more power and torque than you ever need.

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  Great fun & economical car. - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By flagman2 - October 5 - 8:28 am

  Looks great, responsive in acceleration, handling, and braking. Had it about a month. Previous cars were Camry XLE V6 and Infiniti I30. VW has a 110+ wheelbase which gives it a better ride than my Camry. The 2.0 TDI is responsive - 3.9 torque and breaks loose if not careful. Ride is quiet on 18" wheels. Previous reviewer got a Base model, with a 5 cylinder engine. If he paid $32k it was well over List Price!

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  rewarding vehicle - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jack witty - October 3 - 9:16 pm

  Over 600 miles in the first two weeks of ownership. Great car. Easy to enter and exit.Handles well,comfortable, great visibility,performance and economy.Got 42.5 mpg on the first tank. 600 plus miles per tank easy to obtain.Great trunk space.We got the black with cornsilk interior, sunroof,dsg tran,17 inch wheels,southern package,ipod adapter. I have owned at leats 40 cars and this is a good one. It rivals the several mercedes I have owned in the past.I also have a 2008 Accord v6 and a 05 Tahoe. Great combination of vehicles. If you are considering a Honda or a VW..go with the TDI. It makes the vehicle.