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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  A year and 20,000 miles later. - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tom Cheesman - January 29 - 9:23 pm

  I still love driving this car. Handling and suspension are tight, no rattles or squeaks. Manual transmission is so much fun. Getting consistent 29-30 mpg with 80%/20% hwy/city. Going from San Diego to central California with four passengers, powered along @ 80 mph at times & car stayed planted and steady. Around 10k service, noticed slight tapping noise in engine. Dealer replaced valve camshaft at no cost. Total maintenance cost to this point is $0.00. Dealer provides free oil changes for life! While dropping daughters Escape off @ Ford for service, a car shopper asked about my Jetta. I ended up doing a VW sales pitch to him in the middle of Ford dealership. VW is doing it right, so far.

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  VW Hits a Grand Slam Home Run! - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Shrivelhead - January 29 - 3:40 pm

  Wow! I own a Mercedes SL55AMG and an Escalade EXT but the CC Sport might just be my favorite car to drive. The car is without a doubt a head- turner. Then it is a head- scratcher. "Thats a Volkswagen - wow!" I get that a lot, and I mean a lot. Lets face it, the car looks like a Mercedes, drives great and costs about half what the Merc would ask. This car performs incredibly well and has smooth, yet powerful acceleration. I added some 20"s and wheels and voila!, I have a luxury sport car that I can drive every day. Dont walk - run - to test drive this car. Youll fall in love with it. I did and so do the 2 - 3 people who stop me in the parking lot on a daily basis!

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  Luv It - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SanFranGuy - January 29 - 10:00 am

  So far so good. I luv it. Luv the performance and gas mileage. Have had 1 problem with it and that was a humming noise from the front when you made turns. They replaced the transmission fluid with a synthetic fluid and the problem went away. There is a tech. notice on this for those of you who also have this problem. The delearship was good but their maintenence dept is the best I have ever been to. They keep you updated every 30 mins while you wait.

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  Love It! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By NetGuy411 - January 28 - 8:00 am

  I got this car on Saturday. It is a pleasure to drive. I love having a manual transmission again. The engine is very responsive. I got 29 MPG on my first tank of gas. Why would any buy the six cylinder?

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  Excellent all around car - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Zandzaver - January 28 - 2:50 am

  Ive had the car for almost a month now and have loved every minute of it. The interior layout is simple, sophisticated, and functional. It is deceptively large on the inside, and very comfortable. The drive is much like an entry level sports car, smooth, quick, and tight. Fuel economy could stand to be a bit better, but then again, you gotta pay to play. Also, Ive experienced better than advertised gas mileage on the highway in my car.

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  An Overall Great Car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Robert - January 27 - 8:10 pm

  VW customer service is less than stellar, however for the car itself, my 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T is a beautiful, fun to drive car. I got rid of my 2005 Mercedes C230K for more room in the back. The quality is just as good as Mercedes and for a lot less money.

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jerry Rosen - January 25 - 1:33 pm

  This is my favorite car in over 30 years of driving. It has all the benefits of a wagon, yet drives like a sporty sedan. It has great mid speed acceleration, downshift to 4th or 3rd, floor it and you can, pass almost anything. It looks great, very European and the interior is very high class for a car in that price range. The gas mileage is so-so in city driving, but cruising at 75mph you can go 400 miles before gasing. I have had for 42,000 miles and have only brought it in for scheduled maintenance. Its reliable, sporty, looks great and practical, what more could you want.

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  No complaints - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By slider - January 25 - 1:00 am

  This vehicle has been a pleasure to own. It still looks stylish and several of the cues are visible in the so called new styles today. It has been reliable and any check engine light issues were taken care of early on never to return. I would buy one again in a flash.

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  Jetta 00 - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sweets - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive. Really nice handling. Good gas mileage in the 5 spd. Sleek interior but poor leg room for rear passengers. Lots of trunk space.

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  Awe-inspiring SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By aj0684 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Its an absolutely gorgeous SUV inside and out. If you love VWs and desire an SUV like my wife and I, this is it. We lease an XC90 also and this rides better. Cant wait for the snow here in MI.