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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  2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDI - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Barry Denesiuk - May 5 - 4:56 am

  How can you go wrong with the prices of fuel? I get more than 1,000 km (600 miles) per tank and diesel costs 10% less than gas. I sold my 92 Explorer for an 03 VW and I am making money in the process. This was before prices got crazy, my saving are more now. The car is quality throughout, leather heated seats (great for Canada), heated mirrors, huge huge trunk space for clubs and such. The back seats fold down for even more trunk space. She rides like a dream and seems to be made of a heavier gauge steel than most cars.

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  The best hard top convertible ever!! - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Kaitar - May 4 - 7:00 am

  I have had this car for almost a month now and I just love it to pieces! Definitely a head-turner, and I get asked all the time about the car! I live in a place where we get a lot of wind storms and that was my concern with the hard top convertible, but its absolutely no problem - unlike whats said about other hard top convertibles that have no idea what a huge wind sail they put up. This is my first convertible, and although this is my first new car, I feel comfortable saying that this is the car that will be my "forever ride"!!

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  Drove all Lux Trucks - 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Bada - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Last 8 years owned LX470, X5 , Cayenne and ML350. Test drove Touareg last week. Very nice. Ordered an Executive edition. Black and Black. Go test drive, you will like this redesigned truck. ( If you like the Toyota/Lexus soft ride - Touareg is probably not for you ). Expect more of a Sports Car type handling.

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  Great Car - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By M.A. - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the car back in July,2010 and love it. It is my very first car and I was deciding between the VW, Honda Civic, Nissan Spectra, and a KIA. I decided to go with VW because of the excellent fuel economy, german engineering, and quality that VW puts into their vehicles. I drive all highway and put approximately 700km/week. Already I have put on 13,000km in 5 months. Car is super quiet. I bought the higher edition with sunroof, touch radio, fog lights, etc.

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  Low price for German engineering - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By macobug - May 4 - 2:00 am

  The car handles very well. Nice responsive steering in tight corners. Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob gives a racing feel. The many materials used for the interior gives it a feeling of quality--not cheap plastic. Great acceleration at high RPMs. Quiet interior even at 90 mph! If you like zip around quickly, this is the right car at the right price.

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  Jetta 1.8T - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bunnylover - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Jetta GLS 1.8T last week. and I love it. My only complaint is the design/placement of the cup holder. VW needs to redesign that. Other than that I have nothing but good things to say about the car. One thing is for sure, Ill never by an American car again.

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  New Jetta - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rasta - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Although I have just made this purchase recently, thus far it is more fun than our other vehicle (suzuki swift). The Jetta always turns heads. At this point I dont mind sitting in traffic. Overall I would rate this car a 9.

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  Expensive Fix - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SD - May 4 - 2:00 am

  The first 5 years I had the Jetta I absolutely loved it. Performed all routine maintenance as recommended and had no issues other than normal wear & tear (tires & brakes). Hit 90,000 miles and problems have not stopped. Exhaust check engine light came on, $1000 to fix vent fans for engine. Didnt do service and two weeks later check engine light went off and problem ceased. 1 month later airbag fault light came on, trunk wont lock and opens when I am driving! Passanger side window will not roll up, stuck about 6 inches down. Appear to be all electrical issues but fix is very expensive.

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  its a no brainer - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By klaus - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Have 2800 miles on the car and no problems. Drives like a rocket in some RPM ranges and like a donkey in other RPM ranges. You have to get to know this engine, which is a jewell, and that makes it very interesting. Best of all i am averaging 42 miles per gallon and tank up every 2 weeks on a 14.5 gallong tank getting 600 miles per tank. Diesel is at about $2.90 per gallon so that equates to about $38 bucks every two weeks. I drive 50 miles per day plus the usual errands. Love that diesel "Purr" when in heigh gears, it tells me I am in low compsumptionn mode. Blue Tooth is great even without navigation syst. Fit and finnish on paar with Audi, inside and out. Stereo wonderfull.

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  volkswagen review - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Stephanie Zeller - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I had an excellent experience when purchasing my new car!! Everyone was so helpful and kind, I would recommend anyone to go to Commonwealth Motors