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:

• 

  MPG Better than EPA - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Diesel Freak - September 4 - 12:43 am

  If you havent looked at purchasing a diesel because of loud engine noise, black smoke, lack of pick up, or the availability of diesel? THINK AGAIN! All of the above problems have been corrected in the new Jetta! After driving this car youll understand why 80% of all cars are diesel in Germany! this car drives great at high speeds. When I first purchased my Jetta its gas mileage was 37 - 38 mpg. Since 10,000 miles, (currently 22,000mi) my mileage is consistantly 43.5 - 44 MPG! On a trip from San Antonio to Vegas with a full trunk and approximately 750 lbs. of passengers, running at 76 mph, (95% Cruise) she got a WOPPING 52.5 MPG round trip! Who needs a Hybid?

• 

  Love My TDI - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Frank Nora - September 3 - 12:33 pm

  Handling is typically European tight. Acceleration is more than adequate for everyday situations. The GL environmental system is basic, but it works well. The GL level trim is basic and affordable at $ 23,000.00. No sunroof. No electric seats. This really a basic driving machine. The feel is solid, with good quakity finish. I recently drove a rental Nissan Altima & prefer the VW GL TDI hands down!

• 

  Welcome to the family Tiggy - 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Nord - September 1 - 8:31 pm

  We presently own two NMS Passat TDIs. Well turn in our SE and keep the SEL due to Dieselgate. Allow me to make a fair comparison... Tiguan is a different vehicle than Passat but very much the same in many ways. Tiguan is smaller than the NMS and the gas engine doesnt readily compare with the TDI. That said, Tiguan is a VERY nice, though pricey, vehicle. Interior room is fairly small, but anyone complaining should have noted this before buying. Over the road economy seems to hover at about 26 mpg while our TDIs push well over 40 mpg. Tiguan has less bells and whistles than the competition and compares favorably with the NMS SEL.. Not a bad thing really as most of the lauded innovations on other vehicles are more of a distraction than of benefit. Comfort, handling, and overall quality is superior to the competition in my opinion. So far 1600 miles without a single complaint. Bang for the buck? Probably NOT a bargain if you like Toyota, Kia, Ford, or Honda and others. On the other hand a real bargain when compared to the Audi or MB offerings which really arent that much nicer than Tiguan. Bottom line? My wife saw it and the hunt was over. I think the Panther Gray put it over the top.

• 

  Ryans review - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By RyansVW - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I recently bought the 2004 Volkswagon R32. This car is awesome. I had to drive it from Texas to Maryland to go on vacation. The driving experience is like no other I have experienced. It is a true pleasure to drive. The only downfalls of this car is the non- electric seats. I cannot think of anything else. The monsoon streo is awesome as is the rest of the car. I am a proud owner.

• 

  20AE GTI - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By AUmphrey - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I love the 18 inch wheels, it could be a little quicker... I love this car!

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Albino - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I am speechless, I never thought that VW would make a car that would be neck to neck with BMW X5s and Mercedes MLs.

• 

  jetta wagon tdi - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cenflroofing - September 1 - 10:00 am

  great wagon fun to drive diesel engine has more pick up that gas engine

• 

  Fun - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jriley - September 1 - 10:00 am

  This is the most fun car I have ever owned. It handles like a sports car but with a smoother ride. The 5 speed manual transmition is fantastic. Exceleration and ease of shifting add to the overall thrill of this car.

• 

  97 Jetta GLS - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tony k - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Have had the car for about 5 month now and I am pleased with it. I have put on it 8K miles and mechanical reliability has been good. The molding from one of the doors came off and the muffler seems to touch the underbody of the car whenever I hit deep wholes on the road, but other than that, I am very pleased with the car. Fuel economy has been good, avg. about 27 mpg.

• 

  amazing car - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By alex34 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Wow this car is Amazing the ride is great and it is fast its faster then my old 97 mazda626 4 cylinder 5 speed and the fuek economy is amazing its better then on the honda hybrid and it wont need service until it gets to 200,000km