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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  2006 Passat 3.6L - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By intruder1 - May 16 - 1:36 am

  I purchased my Passat 3.6L w/ Sport pkg 2 and Navigation system because I wanted to step down from a big SUV. My initial search included the Audi A6, BMW 330, Volvo S80, and Cadillac CSX. I purchased the Passat because overall, I thought the power, fuel economy, interior space, handling and price represented the best value. So far, I love the vehicle. The handling and power are exceptional. The sport package makes the vehicle fun to drive and the electronic dashboard display along with the steering wheel control buttons make driving a pleasure.

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  Outstanding Vehicle - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Rich D - May 14 - 11:36 am

  This is an absolutely outstanding vehicle in all respects. Having owned every major luxury brand - Posche, Mercedes, BMW, Acura, Lexus, etc., this might be the most enjoyable car I have ever owned. It is aesthetically nearly perfect in design, pulling .93 lateral Gs, it corners like it is on rails, has a beautiful engine with great sound and flawless transmission and ergonomics only the Germans can design. This is an incredibly well balanced car in all respects. In addition it receives the highest ratings by the IIHS in frontal, side and rear collisions and is one of their "all star" picks. What else could you ask for?

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  The right car - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dan Goia - May 14 - 6:00 am

  This is my 3rd generation Passat and my 5th VW car in the last 25 years. I have owned also recent models of Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord. I have driven during my business trips in Europe various Mercedes cars (C200 and E300)and BMW (300, 500 series). Similarly, I drove in USA Lexus and Infinity midsize sedans. I find the Passat the most sensible combination of performance, comfort, and value. You get Audi engineering (on par with BMW and Mercedes) at discount price. The gas mileage (34-35 miles/galon) is better than that of my Toyota Camry 2005 (XLE 4). As for the reliability, it is better than my Camry 2005 so far

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  I once was a Skeptic too - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bobby1425 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned My Silver Jetta named Brach for a year now and I could not be more happy with this car. It is without a doubt one of the best values on the market, and call me lucky but I am a very aggressive driver and I have not had one problem with Brach besides my wheels having to be balanced and rotated often ( I am really agressive). I sell Nissans, and we have an X5, Maxima, and Intrigue that I drive on the regular, all costing far more than the Jetta and it always feels like it is in the same league as the others. Great car.

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  fun to drive - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jbrum0205 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife, and she just loves it. She likes how easy the top goes down. She says that its easy to close too. Now I like how it handles. My two girls just love it. Theyre already fighting hows going to get it.

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  great car - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By judy - May 13 - 12:36 am

  So far so good . I dont know the reliability yet because its new.But I have to choose it to complete the review!I like it more than BMW because VW is quieter.

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  One of the last great wagons - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By touareg13 - May 12 - 2:08 pm

  Ive had my 2011 2.5l Jetta Wagon for about 70k miles and its been a great, reliable wagon. The size of the car is perfect. You can fit 4 adults and their gear or fold the seat down if you need to haul anything big. Ive never run out of room in this car. Its a not performance car but the 5 speed transmission is fun to row through and the 5 cylinder engine has enough power to have some fun on twisty roads. Its also a very practical car for the price - the standard features are great (bluetooth, heated seats), I average about 30 mpg and this little car will handle bad weather with proper tires. My wagon goes with me on many ski and mountain bike trips and its never let me down.

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  Gretta the Jetta - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kris - May 12 - 12:23 pm

  Wow, I have done lots of driving since I have got my 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5. I love it! It is simply the best car I have ever driven, it feels like a luxury car and drives like a dream.

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  BEST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By supercharged36 - May 12 - 12:08 am

  bought my jetta in 2005 with 200 thousand kms, it now has 310 thousand on a 2.0 gas model, i have repalaced the rad,inner and outer tierod ends, battery, cv joint,breaks all around, ball joints, all basic wear and tear parts you would replace on all cars, i drive this car hard, and it has never let me down, just a blast to drive, i find the 2.0 really woke up when i put on a cold air ,,air intake, added much more power and great sounding grawl when you punch it,,with the added 18 inch rims and the 2 inch suspession drop i have done, my jetta can out handle most cars on the road, im a vw customer for life

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  VW Passat - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jessica Felker - May 8 - 7:20 pm

  I really enjoy my Passat, because it is reliable and fun to drive. The interior is very comfortable; it has heated seating that really helps in the winter. My favorite thing about the car is the AWD. It drives wonderfully in the winter weather with no problems at all. You can hardly tell that you are driving in snow and ice. The car is quite and drives smooth. You can hardly tell that you are driving it. This car has definitly made VW the top car for me. I will never buy anything else other than a VW.