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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  We just love it. Traded in the old S500. - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 10thgroup - April 30 - 5:40 pm

  We get 49.5 mpg in our Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan. We can go from CT ro FL on 2 tanks og gas! Going from a Mercedes-Benz S500 to the Jetta TDI is an extreme jump, but that is what my wife wanted and she is completely satisfyed.

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  A cut above the rest - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Wolfsburg Fan - April 30 - 1:13 pm

  Put simply, I am in heaven with this car. I have always wanted a fine German automobile but didnt want to pay the $30,000 plus price tag for a BMW so I settled for fine Japanese automobiles instead. First, this car is not in the same class as the Altima, Camry or Accord...it really is more in line with the Maxima and Avalon and should only be compared with those. If someone had taped over the VW emblem on the wheel and asked me to drive it without knowing what is was, I would have said Mercedes or Audi without a thought. This car is a class act, looks every inch a German sport sedan and handles like a truly fine European sedan. A loaded out 3.6 could go toe to toe with a BMW 5-Series. this car is awesome!

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  Awesome - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By avalanche18 - April 29 - 3:40 pm

  This car is amazing. But, dont let the beauty of this car fool you. I just recently purchased it used and already have to replace the catalyst converter($380) cause of the fuel fumes I smell in the cabin of the Jetta. Well i did buy the car used with 122,00+ miles on it, these things are bound to happen. Also, the Monsoon radio has just shut off. If that happens just take fuse #42 out for thirty seconds and let the static electricity calm down. other than that this car is Amazing! The power of this vehicle is amazing.

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  I love my Jetta! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ALee - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE my Jetta. After owning 2 sables in a row and a Sebring, I got my 1st German engineered car . . . . I will NEVER go back! I have a 6 year old son and he can fit himself and 2 friends in the backseat, PLENTY of trunk room for the sports stuff, but I still feel like I am driving a sports car. I feel so safe in it - it is so sturdy. The transmission seems to shift hard, had it checked, they said no problem - so I guess I have just gotten used to it - but otherwise I am in love! It is a bold red with black windows, sunroof, black leather interior - awesome!

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  top thanks to the new Diese engine - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Rusty56 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  with a V10 Diesel enginge this SUV is fantastic.

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  Solid and fun - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jeff Ogden - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Great car. Looks great. Drives great. Handles like on rails. Dislikes: back seat is small and V6 is a bit light on the power, but not bad.

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  2016 GLI Sweet - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Cameron Dibble - April 29 - 4:13 am

  Ive had the GLI SE for over 2 weeks and Im very impressed. I came across it accidentally in my car research, which is the best thing that happened to me. I was hunting for a mid-size sedan in the mid-$20s with some pep (non-existent) and they dealer said "try the GLI"....I was thinking not another Jetta, boring. But this thing really is a great, comfortable sporty ride. A great roomy alternative to the GTI. I still can find and "expert" review that loves the GLI, probably because these geeks test drive Aston Martins and Lambos all day. I actually look for reasons to drive. Id recommend if youre looking for a good family car under $30k with a huge trunk, adult leg room in the back (A4 has zero) and of course if youre looking for some torque and HP. Great sound system and throttle noise, albeit probably fake.

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  Fast, Quiet, Refined Performance - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By Pat - April 28 - 9:00 pm

  The 2006 GTI is quick, nimble and steady at high speeds. It turns heads. The interior and exterior fit and finnish are very good. Its handling is excellent.

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  More Fun than my Passat - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By GTImedic - April 28 - 7:16 pm

  I went to have my 2003 VW Passat serviced and bought the 2006 GTI after driving it while waiting for my car. This car is a great performer. I purchased the 2.0T with the 6M is the configuration. For the week Ive owned the car has been a pleasure. I had a 1989 Mazda RX-7 about five years ago and the GTI outperforms it hands down. I would recomend this vehicle to anyone who wants German performance/engineering without the BMW price tag. It is also quicker than the Audi TT with the 1.8T.

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  2004 Volkswagen Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By J. MILLER - April 28 - 3:46 pm

  I special ordered my Volkswagen Touareg to get all options except navigation. I have towed 7,500 lbs. from Florida to Michigan no problem! I also have done some serious off roading in Michigans state preserves and found out that the Touareg will out Jeep a Jeep. It even feels good at high speeds. At 80 - 85 mph it returns 16mpg. Having to perform maintenance every 10,000 miles is salty but well done. the new tires that I put on it at 30,000 miles improved the ride and handling beyond belief. I am so happy with my total VW experience that we bought 2006 Jetta TDI from the same dealer.