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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  Zippy, for a diesel - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chsmaine - August 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive had many VWs and this one is terrific, like the others. The turbodiesel is quick to start and doesnt smoke a bit when driving or in traffic. The car feels like it has more than 90 hp, as the torque is so strong. No need to downshift on hills or to pass. Low RPMs on the highway make for quiet cruising. Lots of headroom (no sunroof) and storage space. Mine has the updated console with 3 cupholders (slide the rear one back and it holds a large water bottle in the gap provided by the slider.) Great feel through the steering wheel and suspension. Rides like a much larger car. No complaints.

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  The new Mellinium - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Sonia Simms-Sanchez - August 13 - 7:26 am

  I just purchased this car and I will tell you it is a nice car, I like the fact that it has the 3 in one vehicle. The performance is good, it has a smooth ride. I would recommend you purchase this car.

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  So far so good - 2013 Volkswagen CC
  By jonsmayer - August 12 - 4:12 pm

  I have had my CC for 2 months and must say I love it. No issues so far to report. The only complaint I have is that I feel it should come standard with the VW Fender sound system. The stock system in mine is not the greatest - can be very tinny sounding with some distortion. Satellite radio cuts out with any overhead impediment (like being under a roof at the bank teller). Other than that, things have been great. Love the styling inside and out. Engine is peppy and powerful enough for me and Ive gotten pretty good mileage - roughly 32 mpg average according to the trip computer. Interested to see how it will do in winter driving.

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  Great fun to drive small SUV! - 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By chemgeek - August 12 - 1:52 pm

  I wanted to write an honest review and not just a whining about negatives. You get what you expect for buying a Volkswagon. You get a very European trim inside and out, a sporty firm ride, and an engine that hands down kicks the crap out of most cars on the road yet getting a reasonably good mpg. The techie features are awesome and as a total package, it is well worth the money. There are a lot of small SUVs out there but you get the features that compete with those of the Audis and BMWs at a lower cost. 10 times the car that a CRV could dream to be. Now yes, like any car, there are quirks. They either are deal breakers or they arent. The tranny is quirky, but still impressive.

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  2013 Touareg TDI - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By cambino123 - August 11 - 9:19 pm

  I purchased the Treg TDI 2 weeks ago. I was looking for a high performance machine (240HP 406lb torque) that returns high MPG. I just returned from a 400 Mile road trip and still have more than half a tank to empty. The engine makes a brilliant rumble and the turbo sounds so nice at low speeds. I have the saddle brown leather which is like a baseball glove. The dashboard wood grain is so luxurious and classy, it makes my previous Lexus GS seem like a toy. This car is very well built and the construction is solid. It stands out on the road in a sea of RX350s. This is truly a dreamy SUV. Looking forward to reviewing it again 1 year from now.

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  Love this bug - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By tb - August 11 - 10:50 am

  I love my yellow color bug. No problems, fantastic on gas. I love all the features on the car. My car is a 1999 VW Bug. I love how the inside dash board lights up blue at night. The seats are really comfortable. When you get on the highway it really responds fast. The car has been mantained.

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  Best SUV for the price, Major Power - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By JD - August 9 - 6:06 pm

  I bought this vehicle new almost off the line pretty much base package, no nav. Its a remarkable SUV with amazing power capability and the safest thing you can own. I have driven this car across the country four times, up and down the coast and mountains alike, and there is nothing that handles extreme weather, harsh conditions, or long rides in any category better. I love this car despite recalls (free fixes) and other issues that occur on any luxury car at a cost. I wish people appreciated the real capability and power this SUV has, its not an around town vehicle, use it, love it, or leave it.

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  Bang for the Buck - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By J.B. - August 9 - 2:13 am

  Youd be hard-pressed to find a combination of styling and features in a similar car. After driving the Passat V6 and Jetta VR6/1.8T, I opted for the 2002 GLS 1.8T w/ every option available. It was just a fun car to drive. It was a tough car to find (9/01), so the dealer tried to give me the supply & demand surcharges for silver, rare options, etc. You’ll experience the same headache with the New Beetle Turbo S about now. Needless to say, I worked a good price and have been extremely pleased.

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  Now Thats A Car! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By RheyLEW - August 8 - 4:36 am

  Was initially interested in a Mazda6 for a long time. Made the mistake of sitting in a Passat CC first, went to Mazda and wasnt impressed, the German design and meticulous attention to detail is phenomenal. (Its the little things) cleverly designed umbrella holder in door, pull-up window shades, radar for adaptive cc and parking assistance, bi xenon headlights, LED tails, cargo and shopping bag hooks in trunk, heated side mirrors that point to curb when reversing, auto door lock, moon roof, rain sensing wipers that you dont even have to touch, wonderful lighting and dash, power windows all around, 4 cup holders, secret compartments. Powerful v6 engine with paddle shifters! Whooo- weee!

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  New: Impressions by a Civc and Jetta Own - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Boyd82 - August 6 - 12:16 pm

  After a few days with my Jetta, Im amazed at the detail of the interior and exterior compared to my Civic. Too early to really gauge the fuel economy, but the performance of the car in handling, power, and braking is superb. Besides all that: it is super comfortabl to drive and the stick shift is easy and smooth. Im looking forward to many years with it.