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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  Just say no to SUVs by a VW - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By smithy - April 8 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this car brand new 4 years ago. It was my first "four-door family car" but I insisted on a manual trans for a sporty feel. I love the get-up and go. Someone tailgaiting? Put it in fourth and watch them disappear in your review mirror. My friends loved the leg room especially in back. Now it carries 2 kids in carseats. Followed the scheduled maintenance and the only problem was with the keyless remote for the trunk lock. My husband thinks it is time to upgrade to a monsterous SUV. Over my dead body! I love my VW! Ive had sport vehicles all my life -- this car by far is the most fun with the most pep!

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  VWGOLF GL 2003 - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By Apache1969 - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This is our third VW and our second Golf dating back to 1997. We loved our 1997 K2. It performed very well and saved us a lot of money on owning and operating costs. We have a 1999 Cabrio GLX that has been great and just bought a 2003 Golf GL. We didnt think they could improve on a great product, but they did. We expect years of economical, fun service out of this golf as well. We consider it a best bet for all around utility, comfort, economy and reliability.

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  Same Problems as Everyone Else!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By adam12 - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the 2nd new Golf/Jetta I have owned. The 1st was a 99 1/2 GTI. It got bought back under the Texas Lemon Law. Forward to early 2001 and our new 2001 Jetta 1.8T. Six months in guess what happens...yep window fails. So in 3 model years VW failed to fix a known problem..that is great customer service! On to the rest of the list: 2 pre-cat O2 sensors, 2 post cat O2 sensors, Mass Air Flow sensor, Center arm rest, Center arm rest latch, Ignition Coils, Throttle Body harness, Throttle Body, 2 window regulators, rear brakes worn at 22K miles (fronts are still good at 50K miles).

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  Nice Job - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By rotonya - April 8 - 10:00 am

  Replaced a 2000. 20 HP makes a difference, no turbo lag.

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  WOW - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By silverpassat - April 7 - 7:06 pm

  I test drove the car about 6 months ago, I revisited the dealership on a whim. I re-test drove the vehicle and enjoyed the feel. I purchased the car, not expecting to buy a car, and have not been let down since. I am used to the perfomance of Saabs and Volvos and I am not dissapointed at all with this car, more so excited to drive it every day. This is a great car with a great driving experience.

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  Great Ride - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By herg - April 7 - 7:23 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned in my 20 years of driving. VW went above and beyond on this one and the dealership was great too.

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  Solid, powerful, great styling - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By DM - April 6 - 10:53 pm

  Great little car, it feels very solid compared to other small cars in class. Independent suspension, great 6 speed transmission, 5 cylinder engine, add up to a lot of value for about 18K. Uncluttered instrument panel. Drivers seat great for taller drivers. Gets up and goes when it needs to.

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  Second Passat Not Bad - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Doug - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Had an 02 GLX 4Mo wagon, traded on this 07. This car is completely competent if not outstanding. The 02 was vault-like and had nary a noise body-wise when I traded it. This one is more jarring over bumps, something I attribute to the 17" wheels vs the 16" on the 02. Not nearly as solid vs the 02, though. I, like some others here, use synthetic oil every 4500- 5500 miles and have not had a problem in 15 months and 23k miles (68k total on the car bought used). Ergonomically it is bigger and has a better driving position. Overall satisfied. DONT bother with the Nav system-replacement DVDs are $99/yr for updates. Got a Garmin and pd. $129 for lifetime updates.

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  Fun, efficient, solid. - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Well, only a few weeks in my Jetta TDI, but so far I love it. With the manual 6-speed it is fun to drive, especially between 2d and 5th gear, but even in 6th at 70mph on the highway, there is plenty of "go" to move around in traffic. And my first three tanks of diesel I am AVERAGING 41.5 mpg (I drive about70/30 hwy/city). And with the seats down, yesterday I put my daughters bike in the trunk without taking any wheels off, so whats not to like.....

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  Best car to own - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ToddFoxx - April 6 - 12:13 am

  This is the best car to buy if you are considering the hybrids. The Jetta TDI gives the preformance you need for every day driving and fuel economy that doesnt kill the pocket. It is a great value thats fun to drive has all the luxury feel and quality of a BMW.