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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  Like it - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andy McKee - July 6 - 1:26 am

  This is the second Jetta I have bought. It definately is way better than the original. My wife and I both try and justify why we ought to take it out. We are planning to by another or perhaps a GTI to replace our second vehicle when the lease runs out on our current Japanese van..

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  Love my Golf TDI - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By VW Bob - July 5 - 10:00 am

  This car has been one of the best cars I have ever owned. Being 52 years old Ive owned 6 other vehicles in my lifetime, and this one handles exceptionally well, has very adequate seating room and cargo room, has as much power as many gas powered vehicles, and gets 45 miles to a gallon. VW has done a great job for a very reasonable price!

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  SOMETIMES I GO TOPLESS! - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Nicole T. - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I just absolutely love my car! I cant believe they even described it as sluggish. When I first purchased the vehicle, I was worried it wouldnt hold up to the speed my Acura Integra offered, but my little Cabrio definetley has some serious pep. Dropping the top (going topless) makes driving a whole new experience. This is my first convertible and let me tell you, once you go topless you never go back!

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  Bunny! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By trtl182 - July 4 - 2:26 am

  I looked at a few different vehicles like the Mazda3, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa...and none of them fit like the Bunny does for me. The moment I laid eyes on it, I was in love. The car drives great, feels great inside, and is just all around fun to drive. Now that Ive had it a month, there are a few things Ive noticed. Its gas mileage has been 20 / 25 mpg, it has some odd noises here and there from the pedals, and the stereo seems like it is possessed at times. Other than that, it is packed with a lot of things that I wouldnt have expected for the price. And I get a guitar...what could be better?

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  01.5 Passat V6 GLS - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By jbaril - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I think the car is awesome, especially compared to its immediate rivals, like Century Regal, Maxima, I30, Saab 9-5, Accord, Camry, et al. I owned an 01 Accord--BORING! DULL for days. You can tell youre driving a German car, precision, finesse, style, grace. What else can I say?

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  good stuff - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By jbaril - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Silver w/black cloth and weather pkg, as well as luxury pkg. Stereos great, the dials for it are too fussy. comfortable, beats the crap out of Accords, Camrys, etc. Theyre all boring.

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  Great value for the dollar. - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By pilotdc9 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I have put 19,000 miles on this car in the five months since purchasing it and have no complaints. Peppy, comfortable, expensive looking materials, complete lack of problems and great fuel economy.

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  Great Car - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Oliver - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I test drove many cars, including an RSX type S, a Celica GT-S, a Matrix, and Subaru WRX. Among all those, the GTI was the best bang for the buck. It has great performance and handles very nimbly with the 17" optional wheels. The fit and finish is above and beyond any of the vehicles I tested. Overall a very well crafted piece of machinery.

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  The Jetta is a great car! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lilly - July 4 - 2:00 am

  The Volkswagen Jetta is a great car. Its fun to drive and reliable. There is a lot of storage room and the back seat is roomy, too. So far the only problem I have had in two years were the passenger and driver windows coming off of their tracks one time each. Both windows were covered under my warrenty, fixed right away by the dealer, and havent fallen since. I highly recommend the Jetta.

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  VW passat - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By SHAWN CAMPBELL - July 4 - 1:00 am

  I have had no problems with my passat it is well made and looks great! Every one tells me what an awesome car it is and whey would love to own one! I just sold my 2004 and it sold for 1000 less than i paid for it!!!!! Now thats great......... I now have a 2005 passat and it as awsome as the 2004 keep up the great work v.W.