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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  My Passat TDI - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Lisa - August 2 - 7:40 am

  I have had my 2005 Passat TDI for a little over a year now. I absolutely love it! Not only does it provide a comfortable ride and good looks, it gets awesome fuel mileage. I do a lot of driving and I fill the tank on average about every two weeks. Also, it is very roomy and has lots of trunk space.The shiftable automatic transmission is nice too. It is a great car to have.

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  Best Car Ive Driven for the Price! - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Josh - August 1 - 1:56 pm

  The GTI is really fast. I dont think there is any Honda in the same class that can be a match for the MkV GTI. Even the S2000 only has 40hp more, but 50lb/ft less than the GTI. Its the best purchase Ive ever made.

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  Bought used, Design is the BEST - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By ILoveSax - August 1 - 1:40 pm

  Unfortunately, the reliability has been poor. Its such a shame because it has the best 200 hp turbo 4 cy engine. It has the best 6 speed auto/manual transmission. It has a top body design. It has a great convertible roof AND sunroof too. It has had roof leak problems since day one. It took 1 year to get the problem fixed the first time, then after a few months, the roof started leaking again. Then, the engine was leaking oil internally. They had to change out the engine. There have been a number of minor problems too. Tony Honda has been great, but it has just been a frustration with all the continual problems. Otherwise, I love the car.

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  GREAT car - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dee - July 31 - 1:36 pm

  Never thought Id drive a VW. Have owned BMW, Infiniti, Acura, Audi, and this car is my favorite. I wanted a wagon not an SUV, and I insist on comfortable seats. Moved up to the 4Motion for the seat, and they are the best. Handling and power are impressive. The car has absolutely no roll. Plenty of power but getting 23 mpg. Paddle shifters are fun. Just an outstanding package, worth the stiff price. If you want a wagon, the options are limited, but this one stands up to any sedan in comfort, power, styling and engineering.

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  tour egg? - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By -- - July 31 - 2:00 am

  cant wait for the snow! solid,smooth, great handling machine.

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  A lot of BANG for the buck! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By jmschweizer - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I am in no way going to tell you this is the best vehicle ever but I will say it is the most bang for the buck. I swore I would A. never buy a VW and B. buy a 4 cylinder. I was proven wrong on both points. Dont forget that the Passat is built in Germany. The Jettas are too small & built in Mexico (I have heard horror stories about the Jettas "nickle-diming" people to death). This car is solid, feels solid at speed (80mph), and is comfortable. The 4 cylinder turbo is all that you will need in power. You must drive this vehicle if you are considering a sedan. YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED!

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  03 1.9T - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rajjski - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Great car fun to drive! With this car you gotta be careful when you wanna stick it to the floor. The car is light,powerful and fast! Just what I need, and more to merge on to the beltway. Gas is good, so long as I dont lay into the turbo too much. Great Monsoon sound system. I just love the car. Not much room for those in the back seats,however, no ones rides back there anyway!

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  Fun, comfort, performance, and style - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By secondcar - July 31 - 2:00 am

  After 12 years in an Acura Integra, the Jetta felt very strange to me. It was taller, roomier, and more quiet. The GLI VR6 engine was very powerful yet quiet--I sorta missed the whine of the Integra a high RPM. I chose the Jetta GLI because I wanted a car with performance but also a car with some refinement. Its a car that you can dress up or dress down. The only reservations I have are that: 1) it doesnt have the peripheral visibility of the 1991 Integra, 2) its a little bit harder to park b/c its wider and taller, 3) its a little clumsy on corners at higher speeds and, 4) the arrow on the fuel gauge seems to go down fast--the car is very thirsty!

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  AMAZING FUN CAR - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JoeyjojoLA - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Its the funiest car I have ever owed..Driving near the beach in it, I have a blast. Good pickup, exceelent room and Im a big guy.

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  1st GTI___Im SOLD - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By Atlanta Nerd - July 30 - 4:10 pm

  Bought on Halloween. Surprisingly fun to drive. Corners VERY well, great acceleration, drives great and TURNS HEADS. A few minor dislikes. Bluetooth has NO functionality at all. You can answer call, thats it. Have to physically touch phone to make a call (not a huge deal). Has no internal hatch release (other than emergency release in back near hatch door.) 2 Dr is very difficult to get to rear seat despite fancy new way to move front seat forward. No way to view a to-date cumulative MPG consumption as it resets itself when you turn the car off. Love the turn signals on the inside of the mirrors as well as out.