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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  Fun, Fun, Fun - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Terrence - June 1 - 8:43 pm

  I shopped for a small car that was comfortable and has good visibility in all directions, VW won. This car looks small from the outside, not so when you get in. With tilt and telescopic steering wheel and three way adjustable seats, comfort comes easily, making entry and exit a breeze. Tiptronic is fun, the heated seats are hot, 6-disc CD changer/Sirius is cool, 17" low profile tires give it a great look. Lots of head room too. I got triple-white and love it. I threw out the flower holder.

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  My Dream Car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Wendy - June 1 - 9:53 am

  I have wanted a Beetle for as long as I can remember. I have little die-cast Beetles all over my living room. I absolutely love my Beetle. It is very comfortable and good on gas.

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  Love this SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By fsonline - June 1 - 8:43 am

  Its surprising to me to see in a recent magazine that the Touareg is rated as a "vehicle to avoid." I find the build quality, the ride, the power, and the comfort all to be way above par, even over Passats, and Lexus LS400s Ive owned. All issues that I have had with this truck were immediatley handled by the dealership and resolved as expected...and as part of the new model (at the time,) experience. Its a shame that VW, a company with great ideas, is becoming a notch above their "niche" despite the results, which are superb.

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  Pretty good! - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Harold - May 31 - 10:00 am

  The car is a blast to drive. I, too, like others had to deal with the recalls which is never fun. And the Monsoon radio has randomly quit working 4 times with in the first year (dealer says if it happens again they will install a new one and bill VW). So dont get the Monsoon. If you want sound just save your $$ and get an aftermarket one. All that being said this car is an absolute blast to drive. Period. Itll seat 4 adults reasonably comfortably and when the rear seats go down its amazing how much stuff can be crammed in there. Practicality and performance in one package.

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  Eurovan Weekender - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By borellsoffun - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Although it doesnt have some of the convenience items the others have, I am very happy with it. It is a very functional vehicle, the gas mileage is better than I expected and the kids love it. It has a drum-tight quality feel to it. Ive gotten many inquisitive/positive comments strangers. It is a very unique vehicle that Im excited to own.

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  Great and smooth ride on &off the road - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By AAA_AAA - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Have the car for 2 weeks, great ...

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  Dameeches review - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By dmitri Ivanov - May 31 - 10:00 am

  So far this vehicle is a great joy to drive. hld the road superbly. Steering is tight and direct make it feel as though you have total control over the car. The interior and exterior design is great but simply elegant w./ a sporty feel. Mechanically seems good - hope that the reliability is there, as it should be by all indications.

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  Buy a Bug! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By michaels - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I love my convertible! I have wanted to get a new beatle for a while and I am happy I purchased it. The tiptronic is a fun way to speed up for merging and the S or Sport Mode is nice for country drives. While the GLS isnt going to win anybody over who just HAS to zoom everywhere they go, this bug has got some pep to it. An overall fun way to drive.

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  Awesome car for over 40s - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By David Light - May 31 - 6:20 am

  Reliable, fun functional and fast

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  Best Car under $150,000 - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By GripperDon - May 29 - 5:20 pm

  I owned every luxury German car brand there is, plus some great Asian cars. This is the best bar none. The importer did a poor job of promoting the car and nobody know how good it is. VW has treaded the Phaeton a bit better in Europe, but their problems in the USA have caused it to be cancelled. They really hosed the owners, but this car is hard to belive. Its build quality is utterly fanstastic. It drives great, quiet and smooth with great handling, ride and acoustics. What a sound system.