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 car!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By renee - November 29 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome. my mom just bought it and it gets great gas mileage.

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  Great looking, reliable, fun to drive - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By yellow bug - November 28 - 12:20 pm

  although personally i think driving is the most boring thing a person can do, i actually enjoy driving my beetle. infact, its my second new beetle- the first one being a 2004 turbo-s.

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  Good but needs tweaks to get to great - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VW Fan - November 27 - 7:00 am

  Great car overall. I traded from a loaded 2009 Honda Fit. While the VWs ride is far superior, the Fits features were quite impressive too. To take the VW from good to great, the VW needs voice navigation and steering wheels mounted controls. It needs front fog lamps and the homelink. the $500 for the blue tooth seems pricey too. Otherwise, the TDI is quite amazing.

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  First car! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Hadley - November 25 - 5:55 pm

  Since having this car, I have had it for two years now, I have really liked it. It was my first car. It took me a while to find the car that I did and Im glad I found it because it is in good condition. If you find one that works well and drives good then I think its a great car but if you find one that has a lot of problems and doesnt seem to fit the price then I recommend staying away from it.

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  Better than Zoom Zoom - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Better than Zoom2 - November 24 - 8:10 pm

  I read everything there was in Edmunds and then I compared and drove with Mazda3, Scion,Civic and Corolla. No comparisons when it comes to the interior volume as I am tall. I get a respectable 28mpg and I drive speed limits cause I know the sheriff is out for me in my red car. The car wants to go fast all the time. The dealer says it is built to cruise 100mph all day. I believe it! In the flat open highways of my western state this car is a dream and head turner. Make sure your car comes with the Arm rest as it conforms to different positions of the drivers arm. my wife drives with the seat forward and we can slide the arm rest to suit her.

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  The Best SUV Ive Ever Driven - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By iloveit - November 24 - 10:00 am

  The V8 Touareg is the best SUV Ive ever driven. The trip computer is in color!! Everything is right where you need it. I love the NAV and upgraded stereo. My salesman actually took me OFF ROAD and showed me the different features it has (hill descent, locking differential, air suspension) It can do anything a Rover can do for 25000 less!

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  WOW - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By TIM - November 24 - 10:00 am

  BEST SUV FOR THE MONEY,BEAUTIFUL AND SMOOTH V8 I LOVE THE INTERIOR

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  What a great car! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Ben S H - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Great interiar, little engine noise, great build quality. WELL DONE VW!

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  A new Era for VW. - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By A1t-egg - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I stopped in the VW house just after the release of the T-egg just for curiosity. Frankly I did not expect much from a 4x4 VW. I was floored. It was love at first sight. The exterior lines are nicer than the Porsche and with the plush leather seats, real wood inlays and the brushed metal trim, It is on par with Cayannes interior. This vehicle is loaded with cool features (Im a gadget guy): This is the most Ive enjoyed a new vehicle in many many years. More than my Land- Cruiser, LX470 and Navigator.

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  Turbo S - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By watson - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle. Since I no longer can afford a Porsche 911, this provides my driving fun. A superb engine and drive train.