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 for the Money! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Moe - August 19 - 7:16 am

  I had test driven the Lexus IS 250, BMW 325i, Acura TL, and Infiniti G35 - the Volkswagen Jetta GLI offers everything those cars offer (minus some obvious horspower with certain models) at a great price. I was very impressed with the quality, power and standard features that this car offered - at a fraction of the cost of what the other cars sell for. Even though the cars I test drove are not thought of as in the same category as this car, for the money it can clearly stand beside those other cars - and make you a believer in this car like it did with me. You should at least test drive one, you will not be dissapointed!

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  VW WINS! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By car expert - August 18 - 8:46 pm

  If you want a European car, the VW Passat VR6 is outstanding! Great value compared to other German cars. The clean style, design, fit & finish in my Passat is beautiful. A lot of people cant believe its a VW! And I saved $$$! The car has been reliable on top of a 4 yr 50K warranty. The list of standard features is huge! Ive owned lots of cars, German, Japanese and American made, this Passat is clearly a great car for the money! If youre looking for a mid-size car, check out and drive the Passat, it will win you over! If you can afford the VR6, youll enjoy the extra power, handling and soft leather seats that will cradle you! Combined gas mileage has been 21+ mpg for my fast driving.

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  Sweet rRide - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By brianb - August 18 - 6:10 pm

  This is a smoooth car. There is power any time in any gear, and the gas mileage isnt bad. Its design will not go out of style. Ill happily drive this car for years to come.

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  A Great Driving Wagon - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dickie - August 18 - 12:40 pm

  This is my second VW in forty years of car ownership. The first was a new 1968 Beetle bought from the same dealership. What a difference in 38 years! Despite all the nostalgia about VW Beetles, they were noisy, underpowered and freezing cold in Canadian winters (even with the gas heater). The Passat is the exact opposite, it is quiet, has great handling and feels very luxurious to someone who owned fifteen American, Russian and Japanese cars in the years between 1974 (when the Beetle died) and 2005. We have really enjoyed the Passat on long trips of 800 km. per day, commuting back and forth for two hours per day and just puttering around town. It has lots of space and is very reliable.

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  I love my Jetta! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vasileesa - August 16 - 6:20 am

  I have had my Jetta for 2 days now and I just love it. It is super sleek and fun to drive! It has nice pick up to it and I cant wait to try out the manual option. Supposed to be my car but hubby hasnt let me drive it ever since I brought it home! I am hoping to not have any issues with the Leatherette but read only good reviews from others who have experience with it.

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  Jetta GLI, Performance Compromise - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mike - August 15 - 9:40 am

  My Jetta GLI is the most enjoyable car Ive ever driven and on my last road trip I averaged 34 MPG too.

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  170,000 Miles and Still Going Strong - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By Cat - August 14 - 9:50 pm

  This is my first VW and I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one. I havent had any problems with this car other than having to pop the CD changer in and out a couple times before it will work, and the wipers sometimes are fickle if the temp drops below 40F. I also had to get used to the controls. Its speedy and fun to drive, and my 63" roommate fits in it comfortably as well as two sets of hockey gear. With other cars Ive noticed lag in power if the car is loaded up, but not this one. It costs a little more to maintain that the average American car, but if it goes another 100,000 miles I wont complain. It does have some quirky design flaws that I dont like, but have been fixed in more recent models.

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  My first Volkswagen - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sharon - August 14 - 6:13 am

  I have never owned a VW before, but wanted better gas mileage. Upon a lot of research, I purchased the TDI. I drive 11 miles to work and mileage keeps increasing. I have 1100 miles on car now and it gets an average of 40 mpg. I havent been on any long trips yet, but look forward to increasing mileage. It states 600 miles per tank. My previous car got 22 mpg and 240 a tank for the same trip! It has a lot of pep, room and lots of extras. I look forward to having it for a long time and driving it on long trips.

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  Audi quality at discounted price - 2015 Volkswagen Golf
  By lifeisahighway - August 13 - 11:59 pm

  I absolutely love my Golf TDI. I do wish VW had kept the independent rear suspension, but I honestly dont notice that much of a handling difference. The solid quality build structure I think really helps the handling. VW can get away with the inferior suspension and it still drives like a car built for the Autobahn. I love the torquey diesel, and Ive been getting 38 mpg city, which is awesome. On the highway, I have gotten 55 mpg under 70 mph. If the GTD had been available I would have bought that, but this little diesel is an awesome second choice. Ive wanted this car for over two years...its been worth the wait. Ill probably never go back to a gas engine or a non European car.

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  Touareg tidbits - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By sanman - August 13 - 10:00 am

  Just bought vehicle, so no long term experience yet. Very nice ride quality and exceptional handling. Handles turns and road curves as much sport-car- like as a SUV based vehicle could. If fun factor, smooth drive and handling are impotant to you; with good comfort, sportyness at a competitive price then look at this product. We also own an Acura MDX and both are exceptional i would favor the VW.