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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  My VW deisel TDI Laughs at Silly Hybrids - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By scott - April 19 - 12:03 pm

  My VW Jetta TDI far exceeds my expectations. I am so glad that I chose this vehicle over a silly hybrid. I mulled over the TDI for years. It turns out, diesel vs. hybrid is really a no brainer, which is probably why Honda finally hopped on the European deisel bandwagon last year. All I can say is look what won the 12 hour Sebring and 24 hour LeMans this year, (a VAG Audi deisel TDI) not an Asian hybrid. I drive rather spirited, (because i enjoy to drive), and still am amazed at my fuel economy. Unlike all the hybrids crawling along in the right lane getting mediocre fuel economy (but good for them, they need to save for their new battery), i can blow them away and save for all my admiring babes.

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  My favorite car ive driven - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By xbamx - April 18 - 10:00 am

  Looked at several cars in this class and finally settled on this instead of a Dodge SRT-4 because i felt that the interior of the SRT-4 was sooooooooo junk and the overall its still a riced out neon. This car is quick, fun, cheap on insurance (for me) and gets great gas mileage.

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 2nd VW - April 18 - 10:00 am

  This is my second VW. I purchased this after reading reviews. The jetta wagon i have removed the cupholders. I am not sure if this is a .5 year model or what. Anyway, great car to drive, decent gas mileage on the highway, but it is fun with the tiptronic. very smotth ride, but still can feel what is going on, and dosent "float" like other wagons. i wish i would have been able to get the sport package.

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  VW JETTA! 2002 - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Antnie - April 18 - 10:00 am

  Leased the VW Jetta 09/2001.Jetta is a 2002 GLS automatic. Great car! Also had a 1999. They have got to raise THAT FRONT END! Way to low. Had plastic window clips replaced. Windows would fall into sleeve. Really my only problems! Great car. Looking into a 3rd in less then a year. Will trade ths lease. Ya gotta drive one! The faster you go,th better it drves! What handling!

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  Fun to drive, great value! - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By bman33 - April 18 - 1:03 am

  The original sport compact and still the best. It is fun to drive and can be had for around $20,0000. I have been averaging 28 - 30 mpg. The interior quality is by far the best in this price range. The car is easy to chip, which adds up to 30 HP and 50 ft./lbs.of torque! When chipped, it will bury a $5,0000 more expensive Acura RSX Type S or Subaru WRX.

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  Fantastic, Solid Car - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Adam - April 17 - 10:06 am

  I traded in a big SUV (which averaged 15 mpg in the city) for this car, looking forward to receiving the tax credit ($1,300) and substantial savings at the gas pump. On the first long highway trip, the car averaged 45 mpg. Fantastic - and it drives no different than a car powered by a gasoline engine. Although very new, the car feels solid and responsive. The manual transmission is great. Not having braking issues as others have mentioned. The car is plenty big for my family (me, wife, child, dog). The radio and speakers are high quality. Definitely plenty of car for the money.

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  Almost 100,000 and feels like new - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By BillFromNY - April 16 - 6:13 pm

  We purchased this car new in 03 (03 Passat Wagon 5 MT, heated seats, monsoon sound), my wife drove it for 98,000 miles with minimal hassle. She replaced with an 08 Passat Sedan (6 MT not offered in 09). Car has been well maintained by dealer with mainly wear and tear items. Car is a blast to drive. Kind of a sleeper; five year old station wagon that can get up and move. You feel safe and sure footed in all weather and all road conditions. Mileage: I have been getting 26 to 27 in city driving (I do stomp on it a bit but coast steady when I can); I think on highway only trips it gets 32 or 33.

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  Still Paying for Itself - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By driven - April 15 - 6:43 am

  This TDI was purchased with the intent of commuting. It returned 47 mpg the first two years of ownership but just 43 mpg since a new set of tires was put on at 60,000 miles. It starts right up in cold weather (as low as -8 F), handles well, and has more than enough power. The car is comfortable and has been dependable to date other than the repeated replacement of headlights (three in 65,000 miles). The interior has held up well despite the miles and three kids. I bought it as a leftover for $16,600 and it has proven to be very reliable. My uncle owns an auto 2002 TDI and gets 42 mpg. Mine is the 5-speed stick. I am looking for a second one for my teenage daughter.

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  Suprise its a VW - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By AuntieG - April 14 - 7:43 pm

  We started out to buy a Nissan Maxima but were looking for something with better mileage. This car has comfort, head room and with the turbo engine, it can scat. We had some problems in the beginning with one of the back doors not opening & the paint peeling off the bumpers but the dealer made good on it while it was still under warranty. We love our VW! The only problem we really have is with the defroster. It takes forever to defrost the windshield. Is anyone else having the same problem? After 3 years, we are definitely pleased, and would buy it all over again. I still have people stop and ask me what kind of car I have and they think it is brand new!

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  Great Car - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By portagekix - April 14 - 1:10 pm

  This car is absolutely great. I bought it last week, and I have just crossed over 100 miles. I have a manual tranny, and it is simply a blast. to drive I cant wait for the break-in period to end. The stereo is loud with the stock ten speakers (the Honda Civic I drove had six, and its not even close). This vehicle comes with every safety feature you could want, and it is the base model. I would suggest getting rims. Mine came with 16 inch rims, and it just gives the car a better finish. This is my first new car. Anyone considering it against a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan needs to know the choice isnt even close. VWs feel more finished and polished. They are also much more fun to drive.