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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  TDI - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rrrrr - February 5 - 2:00 am

  its great, fun to dive, efficient, take biodiesel, reliable, no problems with this car

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  Turbo-COOL - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By K FROM TX - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot of research on small cars for about 6 months. I test drove quite a few and came to the conclusion that VW Jetta was for me. It sold me- sporty, classy & fast car at such a great price. It is just the car I was looking for to commute around the Ft. Worth & Dallas area. The Stereo system kicks butt!-if you are like (me) MUSIC is a big part of my life. I am a totally satified consumer!

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  Great car, - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Darin - February 4 - 1:20 am

  I was really impressed with the Diesel as an alternative to a hybrid. I had a Civic Hybrid that was a great car, but had no guts when you needed it. This car has it in spades. The diesels torque makes for a much more pleasant driving experience while returning similar fuel economy. The only thing I cant figure out is a high pitched noise that is constantly going. Its not the turbo. This noise is coming from the rear passenger quarter of the car and is especially noticeable after shutting off the engine. No one else seems to hear it, but it makes my ears feel like theyve been screamed in after I drive it. Hopefully, its a break-in issue that will go away.

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  BEST IN IT"S CLASS - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By jwijono999 - February 3 - 10:00 am

  I had a Acura Integra LS 2dr 97 , for 5 years. I wanted to trade the car in for a car with more horses and that has a manual trans. My first choice was an Toyota Matrix XRS, Till I saw the car up close, I said " what the #$$#%!. M y friend suggested to try the VW 1.8T , The TURBO is amazing .. and it has 180 horses stock!!!!... This is a must for all!!!

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  It rocks - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By rkp - February 3 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a reasonably priced convertible that was relatively safe. The Cabrio rocks. No - its not a chick car. There is more room in the front seat than was in the Mustang Convertible, Mitsubishi Spyder, BMW Z3, and Audi TT. I didnt fit comfortably in any of those (Im 63"). I have perfect leg room in my Cabrio. The body is rigid and the drive is peppy. OK the engine could be better, but its not bad for what you pay. Get the GLX, you will want all the features and the xtra cost isnt much.

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  Great all-around car - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By cdd - February 3 - 10:00 am

  The Passat GLX is a great all-around car. It has excellent handling with the 16" wheels, and very good acceleration with the 2.8L V6. The GLX trim has luxury car amenities such as automatic temperature control, power seats, power moonroof, and heated seats. The car is extremely fun to drive, especially with the 5-speed manual. The build quality is also much better than the VWs of the past with virtually no defects in the almost two-years Ive had the car.

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  Really Good Car! - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Carboy - February 2 - 1:40 am

  The best car I have ever driven, I have driven a lot of the hatchbacks but none are as fun as the GTI to drive. The DSG is a very nice transmission that adds to the great performance of the car. The car that compares the closest to the GTI would be the Audi A3.

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  solid compact car - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By d_miller81 - February 1 - 1:43 pm

  This was my second Volkswagen. I bought this vehicle as a certified used car with a generous warranty. I have had NO problems with this car. It has never needed any mechanical service besides standard service. It handles great with "H" rated tires. I replaced the factory stereo with an aftermarket CD player, the factory speakers sound great. I get about 33 mpg on highway. this car is fun to drive and the 5 speed is smooth and simple. This car is bullet proof. It has gotten me out of trouble more than once with its awesome handling and braking. Cant say enough good things about this model.

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  Reaction vs. Reason - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Bostonian - January 31 - 5:50 pm

  I am an avid Honda/Acura fan and owner. Working on my 5th new car, I wanted something a little different. I checked out BMW, MB, Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, and to be fair Honda, Nissan, and Acura. When reviewing cars $30-$45K, no car had better MPG, better responsiveness, or more room. More importantly- none made me smile more while driving. Additional smiles were had while having all this fun for $10-15K less than the evaluated cars "in the ballpark". True- VWs and Audi are not known for the stellar reliability of Japanese cars, but they are still acceptable by todays standards. Sometimes you can listen to your heart while not giving up on your logic. I did. Thanks VW.

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  LOVE This CAR - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tgm_lgh - January 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my first VW, also my first OWNED vehicle, but its a GREAT car. Gas Mileage is the best. Trunk has lots of room.