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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  radio problem - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Very Happy - May 17 - 10:00 am

  The 1.8T is by far the funnest vehicle I have ever driven. No problems to date except for the radio. I FIXED RADIO BY WIGGLING THE FUSE! What a surprise on the dash lights when first drowe at night. Did not know they were so pretty when I bought the car.

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  VW Jetta Wagon GLS TDI - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By KJF - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Great little work vechicle. I dont know how they got 45 mpg from this model, the best that I have got is 40.9 mpg. Overall a nice little wagon

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  1.8T NEW BEETLE - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By keebee133 - May 17 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS VERY FUN CAR TO DRIVE. WE JUST GOT THE LIMITED EDTION BLUE ON BLUE AND BLACK SEATS. THE TURBO ENGINE PICKS UP QUICK, AND ON THE INSIDE IT IS THE BEST IN ITS CLASS.

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  VW Owner - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By John - May 17 - 6:20 am

  Great SUV to drive. There was no question after test driving the 4Runner & Jeep which was the best vehicle for the money.

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  Maxima guy buys VW - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Doug - May 17 - 12:46 am

  Have had five Maximas since 1990. After testing a 2002 Maxima and Passat, my 15- year-old son said "except for sheer acceleration, the Passat is superior in every way." He was right. This car is stylish (even white, which I dont care for), very comfortable (with memory seats, everyone should find a good driving position), has good room for people (abovementioned 6 son or his 65" friend sits behind me when I drive) and stuff (easily handles 8lumber). I have two herniated lower discs in my back, so the heated seatbacks as well as seats are great. Overall, German ergonomics are better than Japanese. Looking forward to the 4-Motion capability in bad weather. Power could be better. Six months...so far so good!

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  Wait for bugs to be worked out - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By SORBES - May 15 - 2:56 pm

  I have had the truck for 5 months now and I have put 5,300 miles on. My major complant is that the gas mileage is awful (I get 13.5 MPG on average using the AUTOMATIC setting compared to the VW listed 18MPG. If use the Autostick or Sport functions it drops my MPG to 10.5!!). I do find the ride to comfortable and the power to be ample, but I dont think that the Writers of these "Editors choice" pieces are taking into account the cost of the vechicle and the overall, longterm ownership of the vehicle. They dont account for the $105 oil changes and the cost of Premium gas that it requires.

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  Good Value and a Good Ride - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rob - May 14 - 8:58 pm

  Pros: Fun to drive (stick shift), Dependable, Paint has stayed bright, This S model (base) has many conveniences found only on more expensive cars, such as all four windows power up and down automatically, many hooks in the trunk for attaching grocery bags, etc., two power sockets, good arm rest between front seats. Cons: Relatively poor mileage for the engine size, Weak Brakes (most VWs).

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  Great compromise Car - 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
  By htree11 - May 13 - 3:00 am

  Had this car 5 days will update later. 105 miles with approximately 5 gals used. I have been using it as a commuter car 20 miles average per day. 1/2 interstate the other Blvd/city driving. There is a driver side window issue. will not come up all the way all the time. It will work afar several attempts. Plan to take it back to the Dealer. Dealer was asked about the problem prior to purchased. However vaguely acknowledged it existed. The only problem...Yes. The 2.5L is a blast to drive good exceleration, large cabin for two, equipment works fine. I have bluetooth (easy to setup), iPod connectivity (works without instructions) and the radio sounds great (no Fender).

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  Best minivan ever! - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By luvveedub - May 12 - 10:31 am

  Yes, I know the criticism -- the Routan is a Town and Country disguised as a Volkswagen. No matter. I am a Volkswagen loyalist (this is my 3rd VW -- also have a 2008 Rabbit) and this is a GREAT minivan. Comfortable, smooth, great seats, attractive, even powerful (4.0 engine). Really, whats not to like? Sure it isnt as nimble as my old Passat or my Rabbit, but I didnt expect it to be -- I mean it is a minivan, after all. Yet, I think VWs suspension tweaks do make it superior to the Town and Country and - - dare I say -- the Odyssey and Sienna.

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  Do not buy - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By sarg033 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This car is very attractive and fun to drive. However, it has serious quality issues and is not reliable. I have been stranded twice because of the coils (only to be recalled after I had already been stranded!) After the first two went bad, VW would not replace the other two until they broke (full knowing that they would eventually.) The headlights blow out every 12000 miles, the radio will stop playing (but can be easily fixed by jiggling the fuze). Ive had to have the doors adjusted because they were falling off.