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:

• 

  What a relief! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wyonative - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2004 Jetta after I was in an auto accident that totaled my other car. My other car was a 2002 Kia Spectra. Talk about night and day! I literally had problems with my Spectra from day one and after my accident, I found out the Spectra did not hold its value at all. I feel confident (and very safe) driving my Jetta. I look forward to my morning commute because I enjoy driving it so much. What a great car!

• 

  Best Wagon for the Money! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By structoman - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Compared a Subaru Outback Wagon, an Audi A4 Quattro Wagon, a Volvo V70 Wagon, and a VW Jetta Wagon. I eliminated the Subaru because Japanese cars are just to plastic on the interior. I narrowed it down to the Audi, Volvo and VW and compared everything- from quality of components, performance, comfort and space and decided on the VW Jetta. The diesel engine has great torque and sips fuel. It is solidly built, good looking and was $10k less (paid $21k) than the Audi or Volvo. It is identical to the Audi A4 Quattro Avant Wagon, except that it is front-wheel drive and not all-wheel drive.

• 

  Tons of fun, but not without flaws - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By CarAddictDFW - March 31 - 5:36 am

  Ive had my Passat for about 18 months now, and I love driving it more every time I come home from a long business trip that put me in a boring rental. It handles superbly, the engine is rev-happy and powerful while getting great mileage, the Dynaudio stereo is incredible (when its working correctly) and the interior is stunning. However, Ive had some quality issues pop up. Some odd interior rattles have developed, a trim piece or two has fallen off, and the stereo and XM receiver have been replaced four times and the problem still persists. I think newer Passats have had these issues ironed out, but Im starting to miss my Acura TL in the reliability and build quality department.

• 

  Fun in a box - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Californian - March 30 - 10:00 am

  This van is a blast. We have the rear configuration where the seats face eachother. Kids actually fight to ride in our van - often leaving adults carpooling on their own. If you are not into your kids and thier friends, this van is not for you. Plenty of power, stylish, fun to drive. Get lots of comments.

• 

  Overall a great car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rich in Jax - March 30 - 10:00 am

  After studying this and other publications, we came to the decision that the Passat was the car for us. We choose the GLS 1.8 for its fuel economy and added the Luxury Package. The side curatin airbags and traction control weighed heavily in the protection of our children. We have had two fit and finish errors. First of all the child lockout for the power windows didnt depress. Secondly, the dashboard had two small indentations where the dash cover wasnt properly adhered to the underlayment. Both were fixed without any trouble. We absolutely love the car and are looking foward to remaining VW customers.

• 

  Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mpiper - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for only four days and I really love it. The fit and finish is is superb, the materials are all high quality. The monsoon sound system really kicks. The ride is taut and the steering is tight and very well balanced. The suspension is sporty and it stays surprisingly flat on turns. This is a fun car to drive, it handles like it should cost another ten grand.

• 

  2010 VW CC Sport 6M - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Peter - March 30 - 6:03 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. Stronger acceleration than my VR6 Jetta GLX and much better looking. V-Tex seats are beautiful.

• 

  Best looking SUV on the road today - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Clipper - March 29 - 9:23 pm

  We have not had one single problem with this vehicle. We love it. its a great looking SUV.

• 

  What is it? - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Chuck - March 29 - 10:43 am

  This car is beautiful both inside and out. Ive had many people slow down to see the badge to see what it is or come up to me in a parking lot to admire this car. It looks and handles like a car that costs 20-30K more. The turbo-4 has exceptional power (scary power for a 4). It hugs the road and handles like a charm. No problem with pulling to the right like some reported with the 09. Im afraid I know Im going to get a speeding ticket because it rides so smooth and is so quick that it glides to 80 mph before you know it.

• 

  TDI performance and quality - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dongreen54 - March 29 - 5:16 am

  Beautiful car, great mileage, gets 35 MPG if not hitting the turbo, plenty of power, good finish and fun to drive. Would recommend it to anyone.