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:

• 

  Great overall car, maintenance is key to go 200k+ miles - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vwguy84 - July 23 - 1:08 am

  I owned 2 VWs on the past, a 02 Jetta Wolfsburg, and 03 Gti , both 1.8t 5spds. I recently got rid of my newer truck to go back to No payments, and found a 1997 Jetta Gt black with black leather w/140k miles this past January. This car has been awesome, ive taken great care of her, since it was a 1 owner and interior is immaculate with no rips and paint looks new. mechanically car seems very sound, especially on the freeway, its very smooth. Ive had a few hiccups with car, such as gas gauge not always working or power door locks not working on driver side, but its expected with a older car. I plan to do a full overhaul and tune up to car in next 6 months, glad i finally own MK3 JETTA.

• 

  Fun to drive, but not a long term keeper - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Bob Warren - July 22 - 3:50 pm

  The Reliability and Build Quality is terrible. Handles break, Window regulators break, hoses fail ahead of time, sensors give out ahead of time Not a reliable vehicle at all and expensive to fix and maintain. No more VW for me

• 

  A good looking nice ride. - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By Larry Hilliard - July 22 - 10:06 am

  Some road noise.

• 

  Utterly reliable - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By scorcher - July 22 - 10:00 am

  My third Jetta is a bitt heavier & slower-handling than the last 2 (only a bit). Theres a little more "looseness" in the front end. But its cost me NOTHING to run - no mechanical problems EVER.

• 

  Buy one, if you can find one. - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By ToughCustomer - July 22 - 10:00 am

  This thing is incredible. If ranked soley as a luxury car, off-road 4x4, sport sedan, station wagon, it would do very well. The fact that it can do ALL of those functions, is amazing. We have a current BMW M5 and its no longer the favorite car to drive! No kidding. We had a Cayenne Turbo on order. Im sure its nice, but glad we went V10 Diesel instead.

• 

  Passat Wagon- fun, functional, awesome - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Lise - July 22 - 10:00 am

  We bought the Passat after trying out over 8 different models/makes. We selected it because it offered all the features we had to have in a car; safety, economy, comfort, fun, and looks great. The kids love it and are excited for their friends to see it- no wonder, its a beautiful car. The Passat is smater than the humans that drive/ride in it- seats molding to your own body, remembering you when you return- even if someone else has taken your place before. Hopefully this car will last as long as the 17 year old Saab we traded in.

• 

  Great Car! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By RRanchL - July 22 - 10:00 am

  This car is way more car than I expected! I went to get a Jetta and ended up in a Passat and am I glad. Its truely a luxury sedan at no where near the price of a BMW or Mercedes for the same features! I love driving it and you dont see a million of them on the road like some of the other sedan models! Highly, Highly recommend.

• 

  Second Childhood / Cool car - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Dottiegarrison - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for anything but another minivan. My sons all have their own cars now and my daughter and I were looking for something fun. Shes 9 and I am 45. I remembered my fathers VW bug and it brought back many good memories. We bought a mello-yellow VW (2004) convertible bug. The car is fun, handles well and we love the car!! The VW stero/radio and CD player in the car is fantastic! I drive a lot for work and now I can blast the beach boys on the CD player with the top down/work/save on gas (the milage is great)/all with a smile on my face. I would buy the car again! Even my 18 year old son says the sound system is awsome!

• 

  Lemon? - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By HAKOSAMA - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car (with 40 miles on it) because it was a VW and Ive been hearing about the wonderful quality of VWs. 3 days later the Clutch went out. If I ever get it back, its been 2 weeks, Ill let you know if I still like it. I did talk to a friend who has had one for 4 years and his turbo has gone out twice. Lets keep our fingers crossed or Ill have to go back to Kias and Mazdas.

• 

  Classy and FUN - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By ILGrammy - July 21 - 2:56 am

  Ive had my 2008 Eos for about a month. The exterior design is classy and it s FUN to drive. The back seat is perfect for my 4 year old grand daughters car seat plus groceries/shopping purchases. Rear visibility is good. Seats are comfortable. With the turbo its impossible to know youre driving a 4c. I drive to work with the top down and put it up in the parking lot for the day. Then, put it down for my return drive home in the evening. It only takes about 25 seconds to put the top up/down. So far its the absolutely perfect "classy and FUN" car for me. One drawback. Its hard to get out of the car. At 56", I need to pull the seat forward to use the clutch.