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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  Where to Start? - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Michele - June 2 - 4:00 pm

  Wow! For such a cute car it has been terrible when it comes to repairs. Cat. Converter, alternator, Intake valve, check engine lights, oil pan, rear brakes, rear taillight, headlamp replacements, front spoiler, trunk latch, key replacement, cup holders, window regulator, peeling door, seats stain, interior panel lights, airbag light, small sun visor, loud engine on the highway, not as good on gas as you would think. Im sure theres more. It seems nit picky, but really the issues are extensive. I had a 1995 Jetta and it was awesome!!! But this beetle is impossible. We want to sell it, but feel guilty passing it on to someone else! Maybe VW will buy it back, lol.

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  cyn in florida - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By beetle girl - June 2 - 3:16 pm

  I love this car; but triple with the white arm rest is whacked. Could get a little better gas mileage.

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  Tiguan Rocks- No Buyers Remorse Here! - 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By stevef20 - June 2 - 8:13 am

  Bought my Tiguan in Nov, 2010. Driven 15K miles to this point. Wanted an SUV for the AWD, but didnt want a tank. 4Motion handles outstanding in snow, sleet, and rain. Panoramic sunroof is awesome. Engine accelerates smoothly. I havent experienced significant delay as others have mentioned. Strong engine with sufficient torque at low RPMs. To summarize: Excellent SUV! Somewhat pricey ($31,630 + tax), but Ive experienced zero issues with vehicle since purchase. German design and build provides value not found in domestic vehicles at this point, IMO.

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  R32 - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By vdubb6 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  No complaints. Eighth new VW, car is everything I had hoped for. 4-motion and engine are great. 6-speed seems to be very close ratio (in 1st thru 4th) and is a delight with a nice light clutch. Love the interior. Exhaust note is enhanced by removing vacuum line which controls a diverter valve byt the rear muffler, awesome!! Breaks are excellant, suspension is just right for street use.

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  Only 5,000 Will Be Made!! - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By .:R32Voiture - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car!!

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  Almost Perfect - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By dezyne - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Lots of high tech features and computer systems. A few minor glitches here and there but not enough to tarnish the overall impression. Makes me feel sorry for Cayenne drivers. Why pay more? I love this car!

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  Excellent Warranty - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jmkeat0 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car on a Saturday, and it has been in the shop since the following Monday. The fuel gauge stopped working, and the dealership is trying to figure out why. For the brief period of time that I drove my new car, it was excellent. Im anxiously awaiting her return.

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  My VW rules - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rosspgerard - June 2 - 2:00 am

  my new vw jetta has a nice european look and feel to it drives good for its price range to.

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  Volkswagens are unreliable - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vinny C. - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but trouble with my Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T. By far the worst car I have ever had in reliability, and the people that work at University Volkswagen in Albuquerque are very rude and not into helping at all. I would advise never to buy a Volkswagen.

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  Jetta TDI 2006 - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hcciii - June 1 - 7:36 pm

  This is an excellent car. My sole complaint is that it takes a while to warm up in cold weather. The Winter package with heated seats and heated mirrors is helpful. It is quiet, smooth, and tight. Its excess torque prove horsepower is not a great measure of a cars pep by itself.