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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  A better Passat - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By 2PassatOwner - May 21 - 5:50 pm

  As a 2 Passat owner, I would say this is definitely one of the best Passat VW ever build. Its not for everyone but a irresistible one for people who appreciate German engineer at a reasonable price. I cant help with a smile on my face every time driving it.

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  VW - Rocks! - 2006 Volkswagen Golf
  By VW-man - May 21 - 2:56 pm

  My Volkswagen Golf has been a very reliable, fun car to own. I carpool to work and have fit 4 adults in it semi-comfortably. I also have taken it on road-trips with my girl and dog, there is always plenty of room. I am now looking into running "green" diesel (100% clean). Apparently no modifications are needed to accomidate the alternaive fuel.

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  Great Little wagon - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wagon wheels - May 21 - 3:20 am

  Great Wagon without looking too much like a wagon. Feels sporty, very comfortable, awesome touch screen stereo. Has the new Jetta look inside and out. Feels very solid. Excellent gas miles, just enough room without having to get a huge SUV. Do not over looked this hidden gem.

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  Car to catch - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Christopher encinas - May 20 - 6:19 pm

  I travel a lot and rent a lot this is the best car i have ever driven and i have driven some of the best makes and model

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  Full pump issue - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By kidtaxi1 - May 20 - 5:47 pm

  I have 66,220 miles on my car and the fuel pump went out. The vehicle started loosing power and when we came to a stop it died and wouldnt start again. The warranty runs out at 30k and if they would have worked with me it was going to cost $2100. The dealership told me that pieces of metal were seen and would need to do a full system flush also.

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  2003 IY 20th GTI - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By 20AE3600 - May 20 - 11:03 am

  I am the original owner and have had the car for 4 years. In 4 yrs, it has only been back to the dealership twice for non-routine service. Once for a freak sunroof malfunction, and once for a brake light switch recall. All I do is drive it hard, service it regularly and enjoy my time in it. I have participated in autoX and track day events with it, with no problems to this point.

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  $11,000 rolling time bomb - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By jammicpia - May 20 - 4:50 am

  Welcome to my nightmare. Vehicle: 2010 Golf TDI, DSG Mileage: less than 5,000 Ownership: four months The initial symptoms: humming sound from the engine, flashing glow plug light, and reduced power. Dealer diagnosis: Destroyed fuel system due to contaminated diesel fuel. The upshot: $11,000 damage NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. Massachusetts Division of Standards show no other reports of problems from the 4 stations where I had fueled my car. Would not have bought the TDI if Id know that there was a chance, even a remote one, that during the warranty period and operating the vehicle according to instructions I might incur $11,000 damage that is not covered by the warranty.

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  LEMON. PERIOD. - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By frne - May 20 - 2:25 am

  Where do I even start. First off, DO NOT buy this car. I had this vehicle for almost five years and it is indescribable the feeling I had when I got rid of it. Never will I stray from Honda or Toyota again. There is a reason there are so many Hondas on the road and very few VWs. I learned the hard way. This car consistently broke down and needed repairs. Not cheaper, either. The air compressor went out twice, cold air return motor died, and numerous recalls. I honestly still cant believe a car could be so bad. On the bright side, I tell anyone who will listen how awful my experience with VW was. I have convinced at least 30+ people to never buy a VW with my previous experience.

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  experience talks, opinions walk - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By charles lamb - May 19 - 9:06 pm

  There is no substitution for self experience, after I bought this car and starts driving it I can say is like a pocket rocket but with lexus manners and race track handling, the inside make you feel like you do not want to get out of the car, in conclusion civic si and mazda s3 have no business with the 2010 gti and at least I owned a 2006 si before this gti so I know what I am talking about. I am using the gti to commute to my job 132 miles 3 times a week.

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  The best unreliable car I have ever ownd - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By djtomek2003 - May 19 - 1:56 pm

  I loved this car but I could no longer afford the crazy maintenance costs. AT 60.000 miles the water pump failed - Timing Belt needed to be replaced - AC system started leaking and eventually ran out. ( after 3 trips to the dealership they finally found out where the leak was ) 2200 to repair I changed the break lights as often as I changed oil.