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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  Great features, terrible reliability. - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JohnJetta - January 7 - 10:36 pm

  If this car were more reliable, (or at all reliable), I would be completely satisfied with it. It has a great interior with plenty of useful features and a good design. I love the look of the outside as well. BUT, this car has been nothing but trouble since the day I got it. It is in the shop AT LEAST once a month, and repairs on German cars are expensive! The check engine light is basically on more than it is off. Make sure you have a lot of money to spare and an extra car if you decide to buy a Volkswagen!

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  2001 GTI 1.8Turbo - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By 1FE - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Great driving. Would like the 2002 180hp engine software. Coolant system leak following delivery. Power window failed X3 due to faulty regulator. All problems repaired under warranty. Generally pleased with car and service

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  BEST CAR EVER - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By swede3333 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Germans at it again. Nothing beats german performance, quality, and reliability like a german car. If a tin box with a motor is what you are looking for, head to the japanese makets, if your looking for unreliability you can find those right here in America. Wouldnt buy any other car.

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  The Best Car Out there - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Saturnr - January 7 - 2:00 am

  The VW Jetta Is one the best cars out there. You cant beat it. so fun to drive and the car looks great the styling will never go away.

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  Great Car I am In Love - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By eedjohnson - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Just bought my GLS 1.8t last night. Love the design and the features for the great price

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  Nice step up from my 92 GTi - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ScottC - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Jetta with every option available, except for the CD changer. The car rides great, has plenty of power and is very easy to upgrade. I had a chip installed to boost the stock 180 hp to 212 and added a cold air intake for another 5 hp. With the stock 180 hp the Jetta gets going pretty quick for such a heavy car, and with the upgrades it really boogies. Highly reliable and fun to drive, it gets an A+ in my book.

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  Nice Car - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By r nisco - January 5 - 4:20 pm

  The Phaeton is a great car. I have had some electronic problems with sunroof and tire pressure sensors. I also had the rear end go out. All of these issues were covered under warranty. The steering needs a little better feel, it is a little light. I dont think you can beat this car for the price. As one would expect, this cars gas mileage is low because it is such a heavy car - it weighs 5,400 lbs. However, on freeway at high speeds this car gets about 20 mpg. In city driving it only gets around 14 mpg. The interior is beautifully finished.

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  Problems WIth The Passat 1.8T - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By p. augusta - January 5 - 11:36 am

  The vehicle has been in and out of the shop 4 times for electrical problems, and now has to have the engine replaced because of a sludge issue. The engine runs very hot so oil sludge in the engine is a common problem for the 1.8T model (Audi or VW). Steer clear of this car! !

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  Accord who?? - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By minijedimaster - January 5 - 7:50 am

  I bought this vehicle because I have a long commute and needed something comfortable. This car more than exceeds that. Wonderful performance out of the 4 cylinder while not compromising on gas mileage. Im averaging about 25-26 mpg in mixed highway/city driving. Ive taken sharp turns at 55 mph and have gotten it up to 135 on a long straight away. Interior does not feel cheap in anyway like "domestic" vehicles and standard options are more than enough. I have about 15,000 miles on it already and no problems at all. I cant recommend this car enough to anyone in the midsize sedan market. I mean why buy another vehicle w/6cyl that has less HP and eats more gas as is the case w/many others.

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  Little Buger - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ornary Old Coot - January 4 - 5:10 pm

  Ok, so bought this turbo beast of mine at 114000, here I am and 2 oil changes later (at 5000kms a piece, first one as soon as I got her ), Im at 120000kms n she drives like a dream. I call her pristine, mind you after the manual sunroof blocker had to be removed and the sunroof is visible all the time I may have to change that. I got her reasonably young, and is amazing to drive. I take off ramps rated at 40 km/hr at 80 and she hugs every corner. When I bought her, she came with 17" Momo Italia 5 spokes, wrapped in pirellis. I had a 96 jetta b4 hand and this one is much more fun, aside from a lack in cupholders and a bit of trunk space, handling is superb for a front wheel drive