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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  "I love my bright yellow beetle!" - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Holly Fry - September 12 - 10:00 am

  My first car was a 79 volkswagon bug, and now Ive moved up in life to the 99 volkswagon beetle. I love it! Like my 79 it is a lot of fun to drive, but it has so much more room than the 79, more get up and go, and a lot smoother.

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  Passat is great! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By flisnik - September 12 - 10:00 am

  My first venture from the Honda line in 15 years and Im glad I made it. This car is a dream to drive. Ive made two trips of 12 hours each way to see family and the Passat made it relaxing. The sound system is sweet to the ear.

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  what a great vehicle - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By rahau - September 12 - 8:36 am

  this is an awesome vehicle... it has a smooth ride and plenty of space in the front seat.. the back seat needs a bit more space but not bad.... great for toting grandkids.....

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kincaid - September 12 - 3:26 am

  I traded this car in two years ago, and still keep thinking about how awful this car was and felt a need to warn others. It was cute, fun to drive and a real conversation starter, but the quality was TERRIBLE. I would drive down the street and pieces of the car would fall off (both on the exterior and interior). The car was three years old when I sold it because I couldnt afford the maintenance. I spent over $2,000 in an eight week period on various repairs and the dealership still didnt think they had solved one of the problems. This was an emotional purchase because of memories of my fathers 60s Beetle, but a VERY EXPENSIVE trip down memory lane. I will never buy another VW ...

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  What a luxury and craftmanship - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By JLM_CA - September 12 - 2:16 am

  The Volkswagen Phaeton is a dream machine, very well thought and executed. BMW and Mercedes need to look at Phaetons interior and learn what luxury is all about. If you drive the car, you will buy it!. Dont bother driving the BMW 740 or Mercedes-Benz S500; technologically they are not even comparable. The sound system (upgrade via DSP system) is the best on the planet on a car. It is like a disco in there.

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  Love my Bug - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By deb - September 10 - 4:46 pm

  I am enjoying my car so much. I havent had any trouble other than my CD player not working, but it was still under warranty so it was replaced. I feel like Im driving a sports car and it definitely turns heads everywhere I go. VW service depart has been great, always very friendly and helpful. I am very glad I purchased this car and look forward to years of driving it.

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  Jetta Gone - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaGone - September 9 - 5:03 am

  I love the look, the style, the performance - but I hate the fact that I had this thing to the dealer 6 times in 5 months due to the engine light. They changed everything but the armrest, and it was still on when my wife was in a wreck recently. Also, the airbags did not deploy when my wife struck another vehicle with the front of hers at decent speed, totaling the car. I wont own another Jetta, or Volkswagen, or maybe even any European vehicle. Read the reviews carefully, I wish I would have.

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  Best value out there!! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Sam - September 9 - 12:33 am

  I found the Sport to be the best value out there for your money right now. I jumped on mine as it had extra features that seem to be available with earlier build CC Sport Models, which include Auto dimming rear view mirror, auto headlight wipers, auto-on headlights, puddle lamps in the side mirrors, and power passenger seat. Some of the very first models came with a memory features for the driver seat as well, but mine did not, which was fine. I was able to find the 6 speed in my color and I was hooked! I currently have about 800 miles on it, and it has been a blast to drive! It has excellent pickup, gas mileage and comfort. I feel like I bought a high end luxury car! Test drive it!!!

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  VR6 - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Robbo - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Performance with everyday applications...Very good around vehicle with lots of aftermarket goodies.

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  Bad Purchase - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By First & last VW - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I should have known better when I forked out $45k for a Volkswagen. Attracted by the design and stylish interior I dismissed the Golden Rule: Never buy a complete new car model within the first year of the official market release. I have only 3300 miles on the clock and had to bring it into the shop five times already. Yes, five times. Besides the weekly recalls VW issues (kind of a game now for me to guess what theyll find next week)the car has let me down various times. Engine troubles, electronics mailfunctioning, airbag errors, tire- pressure alerts every other day - it just doesnt stop.