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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  Great Small SUV, But you Pay for It! - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By RayBoyG - October 18 - 6:06 am

  We have only had our Tiguan a few weeks. My wife and I both love driving it. It has a high seating position, lots of headroom, and the full-length sunroof really makes it feel open. Acceleration with the turbo 4 is impressive. I found lots of small but pleasing features as I read through the owners manual....rear seats adjust back and forth, front passenger seat will fold flat for long cargo, both front doors hold a quart bottle, etc. Lots of nice little features. Gas mileage could be better for a small 4-cyl. but it has more than enough pep. It is usually in front wheel drive....4WD only comes on with slippage...you cant manually turn it on. High end satellite radio is great.

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  WOW - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Go-Fer - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I love this Jetta. I have recommended this car to a lot of people. It is so smooth and comfortable to drive. I have even taken it to my other home which is 10 miles up a dirt mountain road, it did great.

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  Good so far - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By paskinel - October 18 - 1:06 am

  I now have 10k miles, trouble free. Excellent handling, great mpg (43avg). There is light noise coming from drivers side door, dealer says they tighten but still there. Be careful where you buy your diesel, make sure it specifies ULTRA-LOW sulfur and stay away from the LOW sulfur fuel. Gas stations can continue to sell LOW sulfur fuel until the end of 2010. Dealer didnt mention that when I purchased the vehicle.

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  2008 VW R32 - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By jack - October 17 - 10:26 pm

  My wife drives a 2007 bmw 328ix and she loves her car but takes the R32 whenever she gets the chance, for a little more excitement. The complete package is almost perfectly balanced between comfort, performance, safety and can I Dare to say fuel economy. The one thing that stand out among any of the other pocket rockets on the market is the styling. No other car can really compare to the dynamic styling of this car inside and out. It is outside the box and beyond smart. I give it an 11 handling is sweet will keep up with anything on the hairpin road and the some.

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  The little TDI that could - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Tim York - October 17 - 8:16 pm

  I have been pleased to drive my bug for over 10 years. I have never had to open the engine. I do all maintenance including timing belt and oil changes. Replaced the clutch at 249,000 and have only had to do a little work on the A/C over the years. The TDI will outlast the vehicle itself as it is a workhorse that never gives up. In my type A days I got 38 to 41 MPG and over the last 100K I am averaging 43 to 46 but coasting in gear to stoplights and shifting at 2 to 2500. Will have to replace the old girl one day, but she feels like a old comfortable pair of tennis shoes that you just cant throw away. This is the best car that I have ever owned!

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  2008 VW Jetta SE 5speedM - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jnine569 - October 17 - 9:53 am

  This is my 2nd Jetta, previously driving a 00 Jetta GL 5speed. Im very impressed with the extras that come standard with the 08. I put 193,393 on my 00 and Im thinking I might do the same with this one. Its a great car to drive! Gas mileage is a bit less than my 00 since its a 2.5 and I had been driving a 2.0. I think the experience of driving this car will be worth the few extra dollars Ill spend in gas. I highly recommend taking the VW experience and going for a Jetta. The 08s have so much more room that even my 67" son fits comfortably.

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  Best minivan - 2010 Volkswagen Routan
  By rich - October 17 - 12:33 am

  I shopped around and this van is by far the best in looks and comfort. It is my first VW but will not be my last.

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  Its Still the Budget Bimmer - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VWd@1stsight - October 16 - 3:16 pm

  After owning five Nissan products I was determined to find a vehicle that would be entertaining to drive and make me feel special everytime I drove it. That vehicle is the Jetta. Coming from a Sentra this was a huge step up for me. I can honestly say that I didnt fully understand what most VW owners already know, there is just something about the driving experience in this car that I cant quite describe. I feel now that I am driving a road machine whereas before I was merely driving an appliance. I highly recommend the 5-speed transmission for anyone looking at the 2.5 model, you will definitely get more out of this engine.

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  Stuff - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kittykim727890 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  THe car is perfect for me.

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  TDI. What a great car!!! - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By David Tenney - October 16 - 7:14 am

  It is everything I hoped it would be