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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  Hippie car - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By richard - July 16 - 3:03 am

  Bought the car new in march of 2005. A fun car to drive, gas mileage is 24 around town and 29 on the highway. We have taken this car on three long distance trips with no problems at all. We use the back seat for luggage as the trunk is not of any use for suitcases.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Manuel R. Tamayo - July 15 - 7:36 pm

  Previously, a car was simply a means of transportation. Now it is fun to drive, comfortable to be in, and a real pleasure to own. At first I questioned about the difference in fuel cost between the diesel and gas engine. However, I am able to average 33 miles per gallon in tight city traffic and about 42 on the open highway. The diesel engine is quiet and smooth. The car rides extremely tight with a comfortable road feel even in high wind. It corners like a cannon ball in a laundry chute. It simply has a solid sensation about it both inside and out. When asked how I like it, I say "Best car I ever owned and I have owned a bunch." That about says it all. Except, I bet I sold some.

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  Dissappointment - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By johnson - July 15 - 5:33 am

  This car has been a disappointment from the day of purchase when the dealer left the oil cap off. It has been to the dealership three times due to a terrible vibration through the steering wheel when traveling slowly. They say it is within reasonable limits of the car. It is trash, and I cant wait to trade it in on the new Toyota RAV4 when it is released!

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  Not an economy car - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By paul - July 15 - 1:53 am

  The Rabbit is fun to drive and inexpensive to purchase. Handling is very good. Acceleration from the 170 horse 5 cylinder is vastly better than the approx 120 horsepower and 4 cylinders of most cars at this price point. Interior space is good compared to the small exterior. From its price and size you might think it is an economy car but it is not. Gas mileage is poor (pathetic 22 MPH after 4 tanks). Dependability ratings are not nearly as good as an Asian car either. If you think of it as an inexpensive sports car you will be happy, if you think of it as something in the class of a bullet proof Honda or Toyota you may be disappointed. Overall I am neither very happy or unhappy with it.

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  Back to the drawing board - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Babs - July 14 - 1:53 pm

  This car is NOT what I expected. Lots of wind noise drowning out the nice stereo system. Creaks, rattles and groans (mine). This car is going back to the dealer and some other fool can try and enjoy its poor build quality.

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  Some hitches in its get-up - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Suzanne03 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  First off, I love this car - comfortable, sporty, great speakers (Monsoon) and gas milage about 22 in the city. However, it has not been without its issues and I hate to say that after a year, I may be selling it. Having owned it for 13 months, its been in the shop 3 times. Twice now for an engine "miss" where only 3 of the 4 cylinders are firing and once for a high pitched, very annoying, whiring heat/ac fan noise that they are unable to identify and fix.

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  Driver Found - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By OhioNavyman - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Passat just about a year ago, and I enjoy driving it more each time I sit in the cockpit. I was close to buying a WRX before I saw this. The 1.8T engine provides plenty of pep. My 65" father could sit behind me. Theres enough cargo space in the trunk to fit even my wifes hefty packing habits. The ride is smooth and quiet, but I love the sound of the turbocharger when I floor it. The interior is the definition of luxury, and the blue and red instrument lighting is sweet! I tested Accord (no 5 spd w/V6), Altima (ugly inside), and WRX (a bit too racy). Ill never buy another Japanese car again.

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  VR6 GLX 2000 - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SFD - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I am very happy with my Jetta. I have put 4000 miles on it since buying it used with 17000 miles. I have had no problems, although I wish I had read some of the other reviews before purchasing this car. I hope I dont have to look forward to the expenses that some of the other buyers have. Ill keep my fingers crossed.

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  Great car, but interior could be nicer - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By mjegan59 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I went out truck shopping and came home with the Passat Wagon turbo. It gets close to 30 MPG and is so fun to drive that I even went without my coveted 6 cyl engine and 4 wheel drive. It whips around tight u-turns, accelerates like crazy on the freeway (moves just as fluidly between 90 mph and 120 mph as between 40-70 mph), makes almost no noise on the road and has a sick sound system. It feels great on the road even at high speed and still accelerates at altitude and climbing mountains.

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  Love It!! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jowibo - July 14 - 10:00 am

  To the guy who complained about no room for owners manual--theres a cubby for it underneath steering wheel- -I didnt know it was there, either until I read about it online. And VW is replacing all 4 coils now, so that point is moot, too. I am so in love with this car--Id marry it if I could. Ive always been a car nut, but dont think Ive ever been so pleased with one. I have 10,000 miles today (bought back in July--allegely first 2003 in town) and never had any problems. Great in snow, excellent mpg, etc. Cant figure out why they put 180 hp in Jetta but only 170 in Passat.