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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  2002 Golf - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By EthanA - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Great car! Six airbags, abs, a/c, power locks, six way adjustable seats...all standard!! For $15K its the best car you can buy.

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  No Brainer - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Imago - June 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is an absolute no brainer. I have driven sport utes for years and after finally accepting that I simply do not off road, I opted to purchase a hatchback. The cargo area is huge after you flip the back seat bench and fold the back rests. Far and away the biggest bang for the buck in its class. The VR6 is an amazing engine, well worth the upgrade from the standard 1.8T. The motor is simply STRONG. Close your eyes, sign the contract and love yourself for years to come. This is the best car I have ever owned!!!

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  The perfect hatch - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By jeffjj - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Other car companies should take note in the golf. The only flaw is its suspension (tends to be a bit soft) but once that is modified it becomes a beast. They sell aftermarket computer chips which can increase the boost to incredible levels! 215hp/245ft torque out of this tiny monster. All that with class, a interior that only BMW can rival, and great german engineering.

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  Nice car but not backed by VW - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By rhondascabrio - June 1 - 10:00 am

  My wifes Cabrio, bought new in Jan. 2000 has been basically a good car. It is reasonably peppy and fun to drive. Recently, the automatic transmission began holding upshifts into overdrive. The dealer said the computer lost its baseline settings and although the car only had 19746 miles, VW would not cover it under warranty. Even though the 24 month warranty was past, the mileage was way under 24K. I contend that this should not be happening and if VW wont back it now, I have little hope of them doing the right thing later on. This combined with constant oxygen sensor problems on a 99 Jetta has made me loose faith in VW.

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  Problematic - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By loriannweather - June 1 - 10:00 am

  After falling in love with this convertible in the 80s, I dreamed of owning one. That dream has turned into a nightmare. Within the first 5 months, I had the Cabrio in and out of the dealership with a defective part that kept causing the car not to start. Then one morning in bumper-to-bumper traffic a wheel came off. This could have caused death or serious injury if I had been driving the speed limit. Now the transmission has just caused me to be stranded and returned to the dealership. These problems have all happened under 24K miles. The warranty runs out very soon, and I am debating on keeping this problem.

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  Buy Another!!!! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ejamon - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I hate this car and want to get it off my hands. I have had problem after problem with this car. It started with leaking of transmission fluid, then the lights on the dashboard going out(could only be reset by the VW computer), the O2 sensor, brakes and rotars, the cupholder broke, and funky smells coming from the AC unit. Please, I know how cute this car looks but DON"T BUY IT!!!!

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  Great German Car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lance Corbett - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful car to drive. Good mileage, confortable seats, excellent power, excellent radio system, safest compact car made (5 star frontal, 4 star side impact). Has never been in the shop. Will buy another one soon.

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  Not a reliable car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By madatedmunds - June 1 - 10:00 am

  3rd time trying to post this - maybe Edmunds is screening??? The car is fun to drive, is good-looking and powerful, but a pain in the butt. Problems with brakes, windows falling out, oxygen sensors (plural!), stereo, A/C, you name it. There is a reason the labor is cheaper in Mexico. Maybe the car is DESIGNED in Germany, but it isnt MADE in Germany. Unfortunately a test drive will not reveal the problems; living with the car will though.

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  Lots of fun with room - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By annapoal - June 1 - 12:13 am

  The 1.8t with a 5 speed produces great mileage with very good performance. Ride and handling are great. Lots of room. For what it is worth, that german feel. Very nice sound system. Lots of little things like door sill plates, chrome lip on trunk edge, super trip computer, and little sun visor behind mirror. Excellent value with all the air bags, stability control, antilock brakes, and premium sound. Threw in the winter package and there is not much to want.

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  Pleasure to Drive - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By robert boyle - May 31 - 6:00 am

  Compared to other comparably-priced sedans (Camry, Accord, etc.), Passat drives like a sports car, with plenty of acceleration ability (even without the 3.6L engine) and steering control. It may not be perfect (check engine light goes on and off intermittently) but it is a great, fun car to drive.