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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  Totally Suprised! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Josh - September 17 - 11:23 pm

  I traded in my Nissan 350Z for a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Its coming closer to winter now, and I didnt feel like driving the Z in the snow again. I got a great deal on my trade, new car, financing, and a great dealership. I thought that I would be content with the GLI vs. the Z, but boy was I suprised. I actually have MORE fun driving the GLI than the Z. Its smoother, more comfortable, better handling, and gets way better gas mileage. All of that with a trunk and back seats too!

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  2001 1/2 New Passat - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kim Fauvel - September 17 - 10:00 am

  The best car I have ever owned. Fun to drive, loads of room, responsive, powerful 1.8T engine (maybe too powerful). You have to drive this car to appreciate its luxury and sporty mix.

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  GTIIIIIEEEE!!! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By WILLIAM GARDNER - September 17 - 10:00 am

  GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEALERSHIP! VERY HELPFUL! IF YOU ARE IN DFW AND IN THE MARKET FOR A VW THESE GUYS ARE IT! THE CAR IS GREAT TO DRIVE. TOUGHEST THING IS TO KEEP MY FOOT OUT OF THE FOOT WELL (LIKES TO GO). THE MOTOR IS EXCEPTIONALLY SMOOTH. REVS LIKE A SEWING MACHINE AND TONS OF TORQUE. NO WAITING FOR THE VTECH TO WORK. NOW POWER! THE 6SPEEDS ARE ICING ON THE CAKE! SPRINGS ARE ON THE TO DO LIST TO SHARPEN HANDLING. OTHER THAN THAT, HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES!

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  King of the corners - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Feeman - September 17 - 10:00 am

  The 2.0 liter 8v is sluggish. This, however, is the only complaint I can make about this beautiful European car. Although it doesnt feel that stable, it can take corners faster than is legal in most jurisdictions. Interior design is typical flawless VAG quality. Everything is laid out logically and is well placed. The sound system delivers crisp highs and mids, and decent lows. The 5-speed shifts smoothly, and the clutch provides no fight. The best thing is, this car has 145,000 miles on it, and it is still running perfectly, with a smooth idle. It still pulls strong right up to the redline. VW reliability proves itself once again. Excellent car.

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  a perfect - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ssamaha - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I own a 2001 Volvo V70 Turbo wagon and its a great car, but for $10,000 less, this VW is even a better car. I couldnt believe how well equiped a $30,000 sedan can be. We even looked at the MB C240 and the Audi A4 and they were comprable but cost 5-10 Gs more! It drives like a true German car, and there is absolutely no torque steer like with my Volvo. It had superior build quality, and German design.

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  The pleasure was all mine - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By heat - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Driving this car on a 789 mile weekend trip was a great experiance that I cant fully explain. It has to be driven to understand what I mean. The 789 miles had many steep hills to go up, I set the cruise control at 70 mph and never once did the transmissions shift down going up the hills. I have a V6 and I know that it would have shifted down on many of the hills. With the firm heated seats my back felt better than it had in weeks after the trip. It has many standard features that cant be found in other cars of its size. PS. The speed limit here is 110kmph

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  Bells and Whistles - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Teri12 - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Fun drive, classy interior, best crash ratings possible (very safe), awesome sound system. Very fast car for a 4 door car.

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  Outstanding Car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By NikNakCanYakAlot - September 17 - 9:13 am

  This is my second Volkswagen, but my first Passat, and I love it. I have to give it to Volkswagen, they really put a lot of thought into their cars and they dont leave anything lacking. The Passat is fun to drive, not to mention how well it handles. The turbo is truly a turbo. It looks and feels just like one of the $50,000 cars in its class, but I think its better. My sister bought an Acura TSX three days before I bought my Passat and she likes my Passat better. I was at the Acura dealership ready to purchase one and left because of the price and features. I drove a mile down the street to the same dealership I bought my Beetle from and bought my Passat. Every car I buy from here on out will be a Volkswagen handsdown!

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  Solid Automobile - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mitch - September 16 - 5:13 pm

  Owned a Saab 9-3 and test drove a Honda Accord. This car falls between the two. The Saab was more sporty, the Honda was more roomy and people oriented. The quality of materials is better than both. Its handling is very good and it is very fun to drive. The diesel engine pulls well, it is even a bit sporty once you are already going (ie. passing is a breeze). As refined as the engine is, there is still some noise and vibration that tends to bring out any possible piece of vibrating plastic in the cabin. This is a great car! It is a real pleasure to drive. I cant comment on the sound system, I tend to play kids CDs or listen to talk radio.

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  The Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jeany - September 16 - 5:56 am

  I love this little car. I drive over 65 miles one way to work and the gas mileage has been awesome. I think the car is really classy. This is the first time I have ever owned a VW and I would buy another.