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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  Run for the hills - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By sixgunbilly - May 13 - 3:10 pm

  Ive owned this car from new and from week one, yes week one, its been in the shop. After having this car for almost three years now, I cant remember a time when I wasnt making plans in my schedule to take it in. Heres a short list: 3 nav units, satellite replacement, CD changer, airbag sensor, battery, window controller, almost all of the "soft touch" pieces on the interior, ashtray lid, catalytic downpipe assembly, front suspension parts, brake parts,rear trunk springs, fuel sending unit, 2 speakers and Im sure I forgot a few! This car is worthless! Its value has decreased so fast my head spins, and its no surprise if you read the reviews. Im trading it ASAP. Ill never buy VW again!

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  Just a good car - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pthomps - May 13 - 12:46 pm

  Bought it brand new in 2001. Sure, the window lifts were quick to go out, and there were several other minor recalls, but it keeps on ticking. I use it primarily as a commuter car, driving about 40 miles a day. Love the mpg, love the styling. Im just now approaching 100k miles. I sunk $1,500 into it recently for preventative maintenance (incl. New timing belt), but consider it a good investment. Interior wear and tear has taken its toll - the glove box arm is broken, as is the arm rest latch, but I can live with that. The car looks great, is fun to drive (every once in a while is quite sluggish in 1st gear), but has been a great car.

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  Love to drive it - 2016 Volkswagen Golf
  By John poitras - May 13 - 8:23 am

  I look forward to going anywhere knowing i get to drive if there and back 😊 The automatic in shift mode ( paddle or stick) is just as fast as the manual and faster if you dont power shift. 0 to 30 is really fast ! My wife likes to tool around in auto drive mode and is more than happy with the response. Feels like i am in an Audi. Interior is high quality. This baby will do until I get the wherewithall to buy an S3. (Audi)👍

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  Excellent family car with an edge - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Katie - May 13 - 7:13 am

  As a Volkswagen fan for many years, I was pleased to see that the new 2006 Passat still had all the great features that I had come to expect from Volkswagen. This new Passat also has many fetaures I wasnt necessarily looking for, but now find I cant live without, such as the cool push-button in-dash ignition system, the drivers side glovebox, and the in-door umbrella holder. Its also a cool and sexy looking car, one that belies the insane size of the trunk, the 30+ highway MPG, and the incredible safety and reliability. This is not only an excellent family car, but a great "cool" car as well, and I dont have to feel like a soccer mom just because its safe!

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  GTI Five Fast and Solid - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By fastbackwards - May 13 - 4:13 am

  I recently tried all the small cars around, and no kidding, dropped in a VW dealer because they had Acuras, and the Audi A3. I drove the GTI, and it smoked everything. It has great practical space, tighter handling, shorter braking, and is faster. I was in the market for an A3 or similar, but based upon first test drive, and the better fuel efficiency, I bought my GTI on the same day. I got a Black Pack 2 with DVD Nav. Absolutely everything about its performance is perfect, the ergonomics are a 10, handling a 9, Braking a 9.5, it has tons of features, and fit and finish are a 10. But the speakers are rather lackluster. They sound shrill in the mid-range. Of course the DVD NAV is great, but the DVD Nav warning stinks.

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  Little Green Machine - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By RsWine5 - May 13 - 3:40 am

  All I can say is I love it! I went from a F150 to a Bug. It drives like a sports car, the handling is great. 2 weeks after my purchase I drove R/T from Texas to West Virginia, the gas seemed to last forever, comfortable the whole way. I had the oil changed when I returned + tire rotation, cost - 18.79. I was told to have the oil changed every 5000 miles. All in all, its a great little car! Oh, one problem: Trying to get a 100 pound Lab in the back seat for her Vet visit.

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  engine fail - 2011 Volkswagen GTI
  By Tyler Harney - May 13 - 12:47 am

  This auto had a significant issue and service recall for intake manifold and fuel injectors at 52,000 miles. Shortly after this repair, the engine failed. Was it timing chain failure? Who knows? I cant afford to replace the engine. It seems that the failure after significant repairs is suspicious. Customer care has ignored our complaints.

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  My New Topless - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By nataphoto - May 12 - 7:00 pm

  Great product; there is nowhere I go that this little car doesnt raise eyebrows. I have the Harvest mood/beige top GLS 1.8t; VW claimed 150hp, but it feels more powerful. On gas matters, love it.

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  38 MPG at 144k miles - no BS - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By BigGuy - May 12 - 2:30 pm

  4-cyl turbo w/5-speed manual. This car is like the energizer bunny. My wife can squeeze up to 40 mpg on the highway, consistently, My huge frame fits in it comfortably The trunk is immense.

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  Electrical problems - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Roger - May 11 - 12:26 am

  Purchased as certified, in 2 and 1/2 years, major repairs, tie rods, boots,oil pan cover, master air control, electrial harness. Engine light came on 4 times, same problem. I would not buy another VW.