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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  The Best Bargain in Used Cars. Period. - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By javel001 - May 24 - 5:23 pm

  Let me state this clearly: The VW Phaeton is one of the best cars in the world. As a used car it is without peer. The very-high-quality interior is gorgeous, the attention to detail is astounding, the sound system is very impressive, comfort is second to none, and the number of micro-adjustments that can be made boggles the mind. The drivetrain reeks of German precision, and the design is thoroughly modern. My wife drives a 5-series BMW and looks every gift horse in the mouth. After riding in the Phaeton, she has been curiously silent. I think shes jealous. I have owned several luxury cars in the past (MB, BMW, Jaguar), and the Phaeton surpasses them all. Its simply a *great* car.

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  Smokey the Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Flameout - May 24 - 12:03 pm

  My wife and I test drove the vehicle and made our deal on this used Passat. The Carfax looked clean and required maintenance was accounted for. We signed a drove home. We then took our daughters for a ride and returned the vehicle to the drive. Fifteen minutes later we started the car. Smoke poured from the hood. The car died. Towed to the dealer and fixed. Not an auspicious start. We had it less than 1 hour. At any rate, it was repaired and runs fine. Coil burned out. Other than that debacle I like the vehicle. For now it has to prove itself to be reliable. After that flame out in the driveway that might be hard for this buggy to do. She does fly though with the Turbo!

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  HOLY GAS GUZZLER - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By Watching the gas gauge - May 24 - 11:37 am

  Is anyone else having a issue with the gas usage? I just leased this new VW Atlas 2018 last tuesday September 26 I left the showroom with a full tank of gas, by Saturday night September 30th my light went on for low gas. I filled the tank up on Sunday and as of today Wednesday Oct 3 Im already at half tank..This is nuts. Ill be making another lease payment a month just for gas. Can someone advise if there having any gas issues with the gauge or anything. Each fill of tank is 315miles so if car was filled 2x that 630miles my odometer is only 242miles and I have about 215miles left. Im afraid to drive to NJ it will take a full tank to get there. SMH....

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  The T-Reg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By TheBDR - May 23 - 6:50 pm

  We love our Touareg! After 10 months of ownership it has been a pleasure. It never slips a tire in snow, (Even where we live!), carries tons of landscaping and looks like a million bucks for a night on the town!

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  2002 fun - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By smartin - May 23 - 10:00 am

  The 2002 VW Passat is the best stlyed and overall fun filled VW to drive. In town jaunts or out on the open highway the seating comfort ,placement of knobs , switches and gizmos are a no brainer. Creature comfort gets an A+. Handling is exceptional, has a larger car feel and is quite nimbal

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  so good got another - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By blackrabbit - May 23 - 10:00 am

  first car for me and is absolutely great. I was looking at getting a used Audi/BMW and couldnt be happier that I got my #2120 black 20th GTI. My father liked driving my car so much he just bought the new Jetta GLI(same package but in sedan). A blast to drive and still gets 30 mpg. I couldnt have asked for more. The car has both a classy and sprty look that none of the cars in its price range can match. Between the supportive seats and amazing responsiveness of the car leaves you feeling safe without having to be packed into 5000lbs of SUV(oh yeah, all the airbags and great brakes help too).

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  Great SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By bretthurt - May 23 - 10:00 am

  We love this SUV. Although a bit pricey, it drives great and looks good.

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  SUVW - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By King BN - May 23 - 10:00 am

  The Touareg is the finest SUV on the market! It shows up Land Rovers on their own off-road tracks. It runs as if it is on its tippy toes. Capable of pulling 7700lbs and wading into water that causes a bow wave. Interior features are comfortable, practical and solid. Exterior and Interior both have smooth lines and are made of the aviation grade materials. The Touareg has a combination of simplicity and sophistication that you just cant help but to marvel over. Driving the Touareg falls into one of those categories of: "Its just one of those things you have to try to understand!"

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  Couldnt be Happier - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bobpeller - May 22 - 4:40 am

  This is our third Volkswagan. We owned an old Volks Rabbit (year unkown), a 1994 Passat Wagon and now a 2002 Jetta 1.8T. The Jetta is fun to drive. The automatic/manual transmission was a big selling point. In addition the leather interior, sunroof, and mansoon sound options added more enjoyment to a car that has all safty features strandard and a robus standard warrenty.

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  Im an SUV convert - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By suvnolonger - May 22 - 2:00 am

  After 10+ years of driving an SUV I made the smartest decision I could make and started looking to a more economical car. I checked out hybrids and looked at small economy cars, finally I walked to the dealership next door to my work and looked at a TDI VW Jetta. I bought it a few days later and have been using 100% biodiesel in it ever since. It runs great, I get about 39-45 miles per gallon, its quiet and it isnt stinky! I cant say enough about this vehicle, its great. I just hope that other manufacturers follow suit and build some diesel vehicles for the US. All the other countries in the world can buy almost any car made in a diesel why not the US? Go drive one, its worth it!