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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  Best VW yet, but service getting pricey - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Every car a VW - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Love this car. Of the the 7 VWs (4 types) I have owned, this is my favorite. Great to drive, efficient, nimble etc. etc. The regular maintenance costs (not major repairs) are getting to be ridiculous. It is a cash extraction racket. This is probably endemic of new autos in general. VW has always been a better value than most, but that gap is narrowing. I do love this car! I do long for the days of $100 a visit service costs, as opposed to $200-$400 (assuming no emission system oxygen sensors etc.)

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  A Real Treasure - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Eagle-eye - July 24 - 2:00 am

  After getting a doctorate in late model car shopping my wife and I thought we were just too picky - until we stumbled upon our shiney black 1.8T Jetta with tan leather interior, monsoon sound, and sunroof. Im sorry but this thing is Fine! A vacation on wheels! The Jetta is safe, peppy, wellbuilt, classy, great looking, and more fun with every mile...(just like my wife!)

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  sweet - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Billy77 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  w h a t a s w e e t c a r . I l o v e i t. :)

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  This is no bug! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Another Convert! - July 23 - 4:46 pm

  OK, Ive only had this car for two weeks now...but man, can this car rock! I had pretty well settled on a Mazda6 Sport, and at the last minute decided to try the Passat. This thing reeks of build quality..its like its machined from a solid piece of metal! The technology that VW has engineered into this car at this price is unbelievable. I used to own an Audi back in the early 90s, and at that time it suffered from poor quality and reliability issues, but I certainly dont get that impression driving this baby. Its acceleration, quietness (even at speed), trip computer and all the top quality features set this car years apart from the competition! Its a Mercedes at a fraction of the cost!

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  Nice, Nice, Nice - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By mr - July 22 - 10:36 pm

  Outstanding value and quality! My wife had a 2013 Passat TDI which she sold back to VW. After looking around at other brands she decided she missed the Passat style, room and driving quality. A new red Passat was located at a Seattle dealership and after a few phone conversations the deal was made and at a great price. I flew down and drove the vehicle back up to AK (2300 mi). I thought Id miss the TDI grunt but the TSI is very impressive...good acceleration, smooth and mpg in the high 30s. I would recommend the Passat to anyone looking for a mid size car!

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  A Great All-around Sports Sedan - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jason - July 21 - 5:56 pm

  Of all the cars I have ever owned, this is my favorite. I normally suffer from buyers regret - wondering whether I would have been happier with another car. I have never second guessed my decision to buy this car. The engine is fantastic - returning great gas mileage and managing to be responsive when given the gas. The handling is excellent. The interior is spacious, well thought-out and very upscale. The quality of the materials is top-notch. I have experienced no mechanical problems in seven months of ownership.

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  Love It - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gr8danz - July 21 - 12:20 am

  I have absolutely loved my experience with my Volkswagen Jetta TDI so far. It is fun to drive and handles very well. The fuel economy is wonderful. I do not have the engine broken in yet and I am already getting around 600+ miles to a tank. We are looking into getting a second one right now.

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  Good clean Bug fun - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By T.Eichelberger - July 20 - 3:30 pm

  Great style with ample performance gives the Convertable Turbo Bug from Volkswagen a summer experience that is to be enjoyed. It seems that the rigidity of the frame in all convertibles suffer with the removal of the top, and this car is no different. Volkswagen has done an adequate job in reducing body shake vibration and bounce over rough roads without the "handbasket hoop" on other chop top models, but it would be nice if they could go the added yard to bring it up into the M.B. & BMW levels. I still feel that its style is still fresh from its most recient retro makeover and like the fit and finish of the interior and exterior. I find the car a pleasure to own.

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  NEW 05 TDI experience - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By greggor63 - July 19 - 10:03 pm

  After owning a 2000 Beetle GLX turbo for 5 years with gas prices rising I decided to make a switch. Deciding on the 2005.5 New Jetta TDI with package #2 all the options. I have really enjoyed the overall performance and not to mention the mileage. I get 38 in the city and 48 on the highway. Amazing what diesel technology can do. I would definately tell anyone interested to go diesel. Anyone who wants to can relpy with their VW experiences.

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  great passat - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By griffton - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new before CU picked as their favorite. I shopped around an simply could not find a comparable car for the price. Its been love ever since. The only disappointments have been problems with the emissions warnings. Bat after 57,000 miles I still love the car and would recommend it fully. brian