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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  The Perfect Blend - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By bozaman - December 1 - 8:40 pm

  The GTI is a perfect blend of practicality and sportiness. Balancing the benefits of a compact hatchback profile with 4 doors (including ample room for real adults in the back seat!) and a sporty, fun-to- drive nature that encourages you to take the next corner just a little faster than you might normally make the GTI one of the preeminent values on the market today.

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  Diesels Rule Hybrids Drool - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Frank D - December 1 - 5:26 am

  Ok, not a long range review, I only have 1200 miles on it, but so far love it. I have been averaging 42 mpg on my 27 mile one way commute, mostly country highway miles. Heated seats are great on the cold mornings, I dont mind the long time for heat to come out the vents, but after 3-4 miles the interior begins to heat up nicely. Inside layout is very good, but it is a smaller car so not that much room to store things. I like the panoramic roof and the radio system. The computer display is functional and I love to play the game of mpg. Ive wanted a TDI for 10 years and finally talked the wife into it. From a green standpoint of "oil well to wheels" a diesel is more efficient than a hybrid.

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  dont be Fooled - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jonathan - November 30 - 8:30 pm

  My 2005 Volkswagen Touareg V8 is a great looking vehicle with much appeal. After that it is all downhill. The Touareg is built very poorly and VWs customer service is the worst. The VW service center admits that many Touareg owners are extremely unhappy. Stay away! the BMW X5 is a great alternative.

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  Does What You Need - 2013 Volkswagen Golf
  By bigal11 - November 30 - 6:49 pm

  34K miles. I love the agility and solid planted feel of this car. Made in Munich, much more substantial feel than my 12 Jetta. Great power delivery. Average 40mpg. Gets 48 @65, 39 @ 80, 36 in town. Prefer these cloth seats to Jettas "pleather". I have little to complain about except this DSG tranny. My wife thinks it is unsafe, and I cant argue much. Theres a 1-2 second lag before anything happens at takeoff which really throws your timing off compared to anything else youve driven. Also, Beware!! the $500+ tranny service every 40k miles. I really regret this purchase and would gladly trade it for the 6sp.

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  Ups and Downs - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By JT - November 30 - 9:03 am

  I bought the car in desperate need of a way to get to work, didnt really research it. The performance is good and bad. The turbo is great, very fun, but the engine sometimes jumps when I try to give it gas at lower speeds. Interior is cheap, Ive already had broken lights, switches, and compartment handles. Its also too easy to leave scratch marks on interior parts, just rub your fingernail and bits of black dust come right off. I only average at about 23 mpg which is pathetic. Note to all buyers, solve these performance problems with a manual, not automatic. Alternator keeps giving out at 40000 miles too, not sure about that..

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  Third VW, this time TDI! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Thewinechik - November 30 - 5:43 am

  This is my third Volkswagen. My first a 1971 Super Bettle, my second a 1997 Jetta that I drove for 147K and 10 days ago a North See Green 2006 Jetta TDI. I am impressed and happy with all the changes, large and small that this vehicle has undergone. Impressive. It is spacier that my old one, it rides like a jewel and you must watch yourself from not speeding since it feels like you are going slow but you are flying. My stick shift TDI is giving me great mileage too and diesel is cheaper than gas. I could not be happier. The car is eye catcher, in fact wherever I go people want to see it, they peek in or they ask about it. GO the test drive it. I love it, only neg: keeping it clean.

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  MY VW LEMON - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By KATHYL94 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought a new 2002 vw passat in April 2002.In August when I was driving with my baby the car started shaking and would not accelarate above 20MPH. My dealership said it was a defective ignition coil, they replaced it. On October 31st the same thing happened again with my baby in the car.Long story short today is November 20 and I still dont have my car back, yesterday they told me it would at least be another 2 weeks they are waiting for a new batch of ignition coils,they are all defective.Also radio had stopped working and front right speaker is cracked. So much for the premium audio package!

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  I should have waited - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By J*** - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought my wagon 18 mo. ago and wish I wouldve thought twice. The wagon is cute and decent to drive, but it has its share of problems. The Mojave Beige is hard to see in certain light. I replaced child window locking switch due to malfunction. When we were hit on the passenger side at about 50 mph (guy blew through a red light when we had a turn arrow), NOT ONE of the safety features which I bought the car for, engaged. After a dealer check, they show that heated mirrors are functioning only part-time (but of course they wouldnt fix that while it was in the shop!) It has lost way too much in resale value. Over $10K!

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  I love my car!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jaime - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I love my car! Its amazingly fun to drive, and people are always amazed at how much storage the car has. I recommend this car to anyone who is even considering buying a compact sedan!

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  I love my car!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jaime - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I love my car! Its amazingly fun to drive, and people are always amazed at how much storage the car has. I recommend this car to anyone who is even considering buying a compact sedan!