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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  2.0t Wolfsburg Jetta 09 - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mario D - September 21 - 12:26 am

  Great Car for the money. Paid 23,000.00 feels like the 08 Audi A4 I test drove. Same engine but costs 10-15 grand less. Excellent build quality and fit and finish. Handles better and more solid then Japanese competition.

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  2016 Jetta TSI Impressive!!! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Joe - September 20 - 12:01 pm

  My last three cars have been Jettas . A 2006, 2011, and now a new 2016 TSI w/ Technology 1.4 Turbo. The Jettas have been the best cars I have ever owned and other than regular maintenance, the most reliable. All have been very economical on gas, and the 2016 has been averaging a little over 39 miles per gallon. Unbelievable power for a 1.4 Turbo. Car is smooth and handles well. I truly believe the Jetta is the best quality car on the market in its class. I would definitely buy this car again. Stickered for over $19K, purchased no trade for $18.2 with tax and title out the door. Cant touch this quality of a car for under $25K.

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  LOVE MY 2003.5 GLX VR6!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By gnaz_jet - September 20 - 7:16 am

  After owning a few reliable & yet boring Toyotas, I decided to go VW, even though I read both favorable & bad reviews. It seems like a lot people have got lemons. But, my Jetta has been outstanding. Im at 65k mi & have never had a problem. Ive only done the standard maintenance, that the dealer recommends & it still drives like it did when it was brand new. It still hauls a--! and has many creature comforts, like a luxury car. To me, its a luxury sports car & I love every minute that Im driving it. Of course, Ive upgraded the optional 17"s to BBS 18"s & changed out the red tailights to the 2005 GLI smoked ones, to give the ol girl a makeover & to keep her happy. Shes the Best!!

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  Jetta sportwagon SEL manual - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By eurosteve - September 19 - 3:53 pm

  This is a great car! Buy it. It gets better gas mileage than my mini cooper S. Its fast, corners wonderfully. Is a great family car for 5. Its a GTI with kids. I still dont know why people buy minivans. Its hard to keep it under 95. Had it for a year without any regrets. Oh by the way, either get a manual transmission, or ride a bicycle instead.

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  vw gti 20th anniversary edition - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By scott1234 - September 19 - 10:00 am

  This is one awesome car. I love it!

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  Excellent Sedan, Almost a Luxury - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By phani9 - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I Just traded in my 09Jetta 2.5 SE for a 08Passat komfort. Its a wonderful sedan with so much interior luxury & killer looks outside.

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  Traded 06 Oil Burner for 09 - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By gluiz - September 14 - 7:43 pm

  So far, very few problems with 09 Passat compared to 06 previously owned. Small rattle, ipod adapter issue dealership addressed immediately. 3200 miles driven since purchased. Keep checking my oil to make sure dont have same issue as 06 model. Fun to drive compared to Nissan, Honda, and Toyota family sedans. Unfortunately, my experience is that you trade performance, fit/finish for reliability. Keeping my fingers crossed...

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  Just 2 things missing - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By JBDiamonds - September 14 - 12:53 am

  2002 VW GTI 1.8T tiptronic is a hoot to drive. I am 260 lbs and these are the best, firmest seats I have ever had. Car handles marvelously with the 17" michelins,no surprises, the acceleration is phenomonal. As I said the only 2 options that I would want is the multifunctional steering wheel with homelink, and the self dimming mirrors, but then I wouldnt have anything to yearn for. German technology rules.

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  The best fun I ever had - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By dukeofyork - September 11 - 7:29 pm

  Was weary reading reviews of complaints . Understanding that this is a very technical design challenge to create a functioning hardtop convertible. When you first see the top go down and my friends are astonished still, and anyone that has ever seen it do it is impressed. With the engagement of the lever The windows drop the sunroof goes back the trunk opens up the opposite way, rear window goes and the top into the truck it closes up then the rear deck has a beautiful fit and finish. My autistic 27 year old son said cool transformer, This is a very impressive car 200 hp turbo this car jumps the transmission is art in movement. Will pass a car lnstantly faster then my V8 4bl. carb chevy.

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  Fabulous! - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Awesome!! - September 11 - 2:43 pm

  The VW CC is absolutely the best car I have ever owned. I owned a Toyota and it proved to be a major headache (engine problems, expensive parts, cheap plastic everywhere, no power etc)! I have owned two Mazdas and they both lacked excitement. The CC is a stunningly beautiful car with great performance and gas mileage. Seriously, there are no cars within the price range that can compare to the CC. The interior of the CC is gorgeous and roomy (the trunk is deceivingly large also). Take your check book if you test drive one of these beauties because you will want to own one!