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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  best suv - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By george caven - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle pleases me with performance and appearnce both inside and outside. I feel it is better than any other first-class suvs.

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  Best Rig Ever - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By luvmytouareg - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Totally comfortable and powerful...a smooth ride.

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  Great Car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Blownaway - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I love my Passat, and the service that comes with it is fantastic

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  This car saved my daughters life - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By VWFan - March 19 - 2:00 am

  In March 2003, my one-year-old daughter and I were involved in a rollover accident on the interstate, which occured when I lost control of the car (note: 2001 model I was driving did not have stability control). Thanks to the superior safety of the VW Passat, we were both able to walk away from the accident without a scratch. The car was totaled, and I immediately went out and bought another just like it. I would recommend this car without reservation to anyone with small children.

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  proud beetle owner - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By pjrph - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely adore this little car. Not much rear room but perfect for one or two.

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  I Love This Car! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By TySawyer - March 18 - 2:40 pm

  I traded in my 04 Touareg for a loaded 07 Passat. Mostly because I drive so many miles a week it made more practical sense. I can honestly thank this car with my renewed love of driving! It is a drivers dream. Dont believe me? Go test drive one. As far as reliability, its too early to say. But, on every other aspect I am SOLD.

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  VW Passat GLX Wagon - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Lyman - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Around town and intstate use is very comfortable. Use it to tow a Kit car and handles it well. Power is more than adequate even with the A/C running all the time. Long interstate trips of more than 800 miles per day I did not get tired and had fun driving the car. Adequate room for all lugage and wifes wheel chair.

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  Most Fun for the Money - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By IFlyS5 - March 17 - 11:03 am

  I love this car! I had a 2002 GTI that was totaled and have anxiously been awaiting the arrival of the MKV. This car leaves nothing to be desired. It has breath-taking acceleration, impeccable design and build quality, as well as looks. It handles well, rides well, and performs well in every regard. Not to mention, starting at $21,000, its a steal.

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  Understanding the Car - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Rich - March 17 - 3:13 am

  I researched this car for months and looked at many different competitors, all of which averaged twice the price. After researching every scrap of opinion available, I came to want this car. My research somewhat prepared me for it, but the first drive took me out of this world. The performance to price ratio in this car makes it a lion, and the pure enjoyment of feeling the 200hp acceleration, really puts it in a class far above the price point. If you have "low ego emissions" and want something REALLY fun to drive, go GTI. You cant go wrong with this car. Its simply amazing, and the voluminous articles out there in the rags have NOT steered me wrong. I love this car!

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  I love this car! - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By chuck54633 - March 17 - 1:36 am

  I traded my 2008 VW Rabbit 2.5L 4dr in on this car. What an improvement, the interior and exterior changes are great improvements over the 08. The diesel engine was the primary motivation for the change. Who would have thought that a car that gets much better fuel economy would be so much faster and more fun to drive. I like that they changed back to the name golf and made the car more masculine looking. The rabbit was such a chick car.