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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  Still a great SUV choice for those who tow. - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By toolmanjohn - April 22 - 1:00 am

  Just around 8300 miles on my Touareg TDI, and I havent had any real problems with the vehicle. It handles like a sedan, plenty of power, and the brakes are fantastic. Mileage is better than I was hoping. THe 20mpg city would have been great, but I get 22-23 mpg consistently with a 20 mile round trip commute each day. Its VERY quiet, and this may be because the transmission shifts around 2250rpm, so the diesel nevers really works hard. This past Summer it towed my small travel trailer like it wasnt there. Easily pulls on the highway and back roads.

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  Cheaply made - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By unhappy smith - April 21 - 10:26 pm

  A joy to scoot about in and to park. It has had one thing after another break off in the car. It seems that they did not have the correct recipe for plastic. To replace costs $40.00 for each broken item. The trunk brake light has been replaced twice at $129.00 and this one has cracked apart. I am the only one driving the car. The cloth front seats are grossly stained, the explanation being that they got wet once.

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  Love it! - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By cedarpark - April 21 - 9:00 am

  I traded in my 04 Passat for the Tiguan. The Tiguan is so much fun to drive. Its roomy and has already carried large loads from the hardware store. My only complaint, as was my complaint with the Passat, is the cup holder for passengers in the back seat. It completely fell apart the first time it was used.

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  THE BEST - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Jack C. - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I TEST DROVE THEM ALL, MB S500, BMW 745 AND THE AUDI A8. THEY DONT COMPARE. THIS IS THE BEST OVERALL CONCEPT SINCE LEXUS FIRST CAME OUT WITH THE LS400. IT IS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE EVERYTHING IN ITS CLASS.

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  Very impressed - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mylasher - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Jetta for four years with very few problems. I got the bottom-rung model and next time will get the power windows and seat, cruise control and sunroof. After about 80,000 miles the Check Engine light started to come on at odd times with no noticable change in performance. Its reportedly the oxygen sensor. After 105,000 miles, oil changes about every 5,000-8,000 miles, two brake jobs, one tire change and no other maintenance, the car is still getting its factory mileage and performance. Im very impressed.

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  Great SUV Great Value - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By T-regDent - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my T-reg for a month and have had zero problems. Premium Plus Pkg. is the way to go. Remote key range is OK 20-30ft, but I dont need it with keyless entry. Handles well for a big (2 1/2 ton) SUV and the V-8 has plenty of power. Ext & Int fit and finish is excellent. More standard features than MDX, LX 470 or Cayenne, for less money. Air Suspension has three different ride settings and three different ride heights. This is an outstanding SUV with a huge bang for the buck.

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  A problem SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By hawk94 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Second day, green liquid was dripping down from the engine compartment. Was told its not safe to drive so its towed to fixing the leaking, a borken O- ring. Also found bump paintscratched, passagerside seat broken, roof rack base broken, it vibrates ~70mph & pulls to right. Initial quality is so poor, althoug its a brand new vehical (only 350 miles)! Whatelse is next? I wish I bought a Lexus or BMW. VW service quality was poor too. Dont buy it now until VW fixes the quality issue if you really like its offroad capability.

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  I wish someone warned me about the water - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By vw driver - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I owned a Jetta, now a passat. I loved it until the water began to leak in under the front and rear floor carpet. When I researched this issue it seems it is a long known defect/issue for these cars. I know two people who had the same problem, and found hundreds of others on line. My new car now smells like a old wet rug. Other than that love the car, but that is quite an issue to get by. VW claims not to know of it but replace pollon filter to address the issue.

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  GREAT for tall folks - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Burke - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Im dont agree with what some others have said. I am 68" and 260 lbs. and I fit in the passat with ease. i actually could move the seat up and still be comfortable. The head room (without the sun roof) is amazing. incredibly fun to drive, and the 4 cylinder turbo is great. no need for the V-6. This engine has plenty of power and better gas mileage. and I love driving the manual. However, I did have to take the car into the shop with a small computer problem, but I was in and out in a very short time.

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  Very Happy with This Purchase, So Far - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jsefcik - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in November, 2003. Huge incentive from VW so the car was a steal. Ive been thrilled with it so far. The build quality seems far superior to the Mazda, Matrix, Impreza, Focus. No comparison really. My sis-in-law owns an Audi A4 Wagon that is a spitting image -- same exact engine, same interior --except the Audi has trip computer, leather and 4wd. If you think leather, trip computer and 4WD equals $17,000, then go for the Audi. My car was half the price of hers!