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:

• 

  Love the v-10....No belts or chains - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By LUKE - May 29 - 7:03 am

  This has to be the best S.U.V. That i have ever drove. The fact that it has a fully geared engine is awesome!! To think the only vehicle like it, is a military vehicle. What a car

• 

  Solid Feel, Fun & Stingy on the Fuel - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By qazman - May 28 - 12:00 am

  I purchased the 5 speed GLS TDI wagon after loads of research on reliability, durability and fuel economy. I wanted the wagon for extra cargo, plants, mulch bags, etc. A "compact" wagon, has design compromises, like back seat leg room. The Passat wagon is larger, but I like a small wagon. This little guy is made in Germany & it shows in fit & finish, saftey, performance and diesel technology. Im having loads of fun driving it. It looks like a SUV, not as tall. So far, not a single defect. The exterior and interior are flawless & the ride is super: handles bumps great, rides quiet and super solid. I think VW only sells 3% TDIs. Best kept secret on the road!!

• 

  Nice Surprise - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dave - May 27 - 10:26 pm

  My wife just totaled our 2005 volvo S60, so we went back to the dealer to replace her car. The dealership dropped their Volvo line but asked us to just give the VW a try. He said we would find the VW Passat better than the Volvo and we did! Then a white Jetta caught my eye. I took the turbo out for a run and found it to be a blast to drive and fully loaded with unexpected features that my 2002 Celica didnt have. The turbo is fast and the car handles like its on rails. I call it a "poor mans BMW 325, lol" I once had a 325 and I actually prefer driving the Jetta. It is a little bland looking, but for some reason it looks better to me in white. I think it makes it look larger. I love it.

• 

  Passat! Love it! - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By sigjuliussen - May 27 - 12:01 pm

  Im 64" and over 300 lbs and the car fits great. Can stretch out my legs all the way. Drove 400 miles round trip to my cabin and with studs and snowy Alaska mountain conditions the car still go 41 mpg. 3 fill ups so far with all Anchorage city driving and twice it got over 30 mpg, and one time with lots of snowy cold days and still got 27.5 mpg. Cant wait ti see what it gets with summer tires and no snow (I have a few months to god lol) Car handles great in the snow and drives like a dream.

• 

  My VW - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Jack Gordon - May 27 - 4:40 am

  Prior to my purchase of the VW Phaeton, I have owned Bentleys, Rolls Royces, Mercedes, Lexus, and just about all of the other luxury cars made. I must say that in my opinion the VW Phaeton is as good or better than any of the others. The only faults that I can find are in the poor gas mileage, and the fact that the grill does not specify "Phaeton." I find it a delight to drive, localy or on a trip.

• 

  The perfect car for me - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ogden guy - May 26 - 8:20 pm

  I bought this in late 1999 and it was just right. I didnt mind the 91 octane as I got 35-36 mph all the time. Did a lot of long distance interstate driving and have over 130,000 miles on it now. Have always done dealer service and only one bad experience and never went back to that dealer on Provo Utah. Had to replace a control arm and tires as a result. But other than that, it is a dream. Wish I could still buy a 1.8 5 speed turbo in the future. Somewhere out there around 225,000 miles I suspect.

• 

  Professional and Sharp - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By MARGARET ADEBAYO - May 25 - 5:00 pm

  The Volkswagen Touareg is a strong and fast truck. It handles the road with ease. The brakes and safety features are great. The only thing I dislike about this truck is its poor gas mileage.

• 

  Time Will Tell - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rjs38 - May 25 - 10:16 am

  I have only had this car for a short time, but so far I love it. I was hesitant to buy based on previous reliability reports on earlier models (I have always driven Acura/Honda--very consistent with reliability). But I did extensive research with this model getting good reviews with more positive points on performance than appearance. I like the sporty feel of the turbo. Its roomier than previous models. Leather sport seats are very comfortable. Only time will tell if VW has improved its reliability.

• 

  excellant car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By flyboy 911 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  this car has been our best new car to date .

• 

  New Beetle Convertible - A real Toy - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By VA Driver - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, a real eye catcher. The new VW convertible has been lots of fun. It has had a couple of bugs, boot cover is hard to secure and electric windows sometime dont close together. The dealership has been wonderful about servicing and any problems. Time will tell the tale. If it holds up as the earlier model VWs this should be a life time of fun and great riding.