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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  Sweet! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By weeks - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I had a TDi Jetta and had to get rid of it. Opted for the TDi wagon to replace it. The additional space is perfect and the mileage is still EXCELLENT! I drive a manual and get about 43/48 (I have yet to do a trip that is ENTIRELY highway, though...cant seem to find a destination far enough away!) I would definitely recommend this car!

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  2007 VW Jetta Wolfsburg - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dominick - May 4 - 2:36 am

  I love this car.

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  Great car, horrible top - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Todd - May 3 - 8:40 am

  I love this car. Im a BIG guy and I have all of the comfort of my Chrysler 300. The only issue Ive had is with the convertible top. Ive had it in 4 times because some cables in the raising and lowering mechanism come off track and get caught up in the whole works and it screws up the top liner. It seems to be fixed, but now it happened to the other side and it pulled more cables loose, part of the interior molding and broke some other pieces that are down inside. Ive only had the car for 9 months and have only been putting the top down for 3 of them. It only had 24,000 miles when I got it!

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  Former BMW Owner Converted Forever... - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Billy Austin - May 3 - 4:46 am

  I cant say enough about how this car has exceeded my expectations. It is better appointed, more comfortable, roomier and far less expensive to maintain than the three previous BMW 325s I owned. I lose only a small amount of performance and handling, but gain an overall hands down winner in value. This car gets almost exactly double the gas mileage 45 mpg vs. 22 mpg overall in the BMW. The repair bills for routine maintenance are a fraction of the insulting BMW bills I paid regularly. I never thought I would be willing to give up the driving experience I enjoyed with BMW. The Jetta is so close but I choose it as my preference with price not being a factor.

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  Love this car! - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By scott314 - May 2 - 10:27 pm

  After 13,000 miles in six months I truly enjoy my Passat. The V-6 is remarkably powerful and makes driving a lot of fun. It has a pleasant growl when accelerating briskly but is very quiet otherwise. I have had two minor problems - the iPod cord quit working but was replaced under warranty, and the dealer even replaced the wiper blades under warranty which I found impressive. My biggest regret is that the V-6 is not available with a manual transmission. The automatic works fine, but ... Other than that, it rides and handles well, its roomy, its quick, it gets good mileage and I get lots of compliments on the appearance. (And the Fender stereo is amazing!)

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  Great car - 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf
  By Andrew Meister - May 2 - 4:35 pm

  Great car, which is only beat by Tesla’s Model 3.

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  Bye Bye Japanese - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By NO MO TOYO - May 2 - 3:20 pm

  Bought this New Passat three weeks ago and we are loving every mile, the power that comes from this 2.0T engine is just awesome, the ride is awesome the handeling is superb It stops on a dime and its acceleration is incredible. The interior is very well thought out, the back seat has more than enough room for even tall adults. Ive driven them all, Mercedes-Benz & BMW, and this new Passat has that German build quality without the price, Im sure the Japanese will copy it just like they copied the Jetta.

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  Former rag top driver - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Robin - May 2 - 12:56 pm

  Ive always had a rag top. I love this car, best of both worlds. Looks like a transformer when the top goes down. Careful, this little car is very fast. Quiet inside. Hope this red convertible doesnt get me a speeding ticket.

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  great car - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Gregg - May 2 - 8:56 am

  Just bought a Passat and loving it! Great handling, very responsive, totally impressed.

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  Good, Affordable Pocket Rocket - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By Mauricio Gomez Weiss - May 2 - 2:23 am

  I purchase my 1.8 turbo in June, until now I had to change the gasket (vw dealers in Canada kind of expensive),excellent power, handles incredibly, good acceleration. Downside part as all the comments,plastic glove box and central arm rest cover breaks easily and are expensive to replace unless you get used ones, rubbery cover on the armrest front door drivers side peels like when you are sunburned. Fuel consumption around 9.1 lt/100km could be better. Cargo space amazing (fit a 40" Sony LCD and 2 passengers plus the driver all comfortable). Its an affordable car with good power and decent fuel consumption (could be better though)