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:

• 

  Diesel is the way to go - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By dapack - March 24 - 2:23 pm

  A sports sedan that gets on average 35 mpg, who could want more! The only negative is diesel fuel is very expensive in the winter months. Friends marvel at the room and trunk size when the car seems almost compact on the outside. Lots of features, very good value. Hopeful I will not have to visit the dealer much, VW can have reliability issues.

• 

  luvin it! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By lilfay - March 24 - 12:02 pm

  I received my passat by accident, but it was a miracle, when i first drove it i was shocked by the solid drive and how smooth it was, it just felt good, i am blessed to say i have had no problems thus far and i am almost on my 1st year with it, only gripe is the anti freeze leaks and must be replaced every 3weeks or so, its a 250 job i dont wana pay for so ima just keep replacing the antifreeze, but this car atleast lets you know that it is low jus like the over protective gas tank which also alerts u when u r at the 1/8 mark, over all this car has been very good 2 me, i do my scheduled maintainence and it maintains, i am lookin 4ward 2 more german cars and ill keep this til its dead :)

• 

  I hate my car. It makes me sad. - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By tangentgirl - March 24 - 11:06 am

  This car is cute, but man does it stink. Little things keep breaking. Sure, theyre under warranty, but its a pain to have to bring the thing back to the dealership. Ive had to repair the following things: Seat back/fwd levers - these constantly break, both trunk arms, the lock on the center console, the front panel accessory slots (empty), rear phone charger - it fell right out, the back window is starting to have problems rolling down correctly, the front airbag sensor, various electrical problems - including one that made the car turn off while driving. Fun. Also, theres a wheel noise that I need to get checked now. I feel like I drive a 1987 Taurus or something, except with a payment.

• 

  An Excellent Choice - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By roadcyclist - March 23 - 5:46 am

  This is a car for the ages. I believe price is irrelevant but its nice to buy a car under $30,000 and get $60,000 worth of quality and performance. Im coming from an Audi A4 and this is a finer car in comfort, appearance, safety and performance. People should test drive the Lexus, the Mercedes, the Jag and the BMW and THEN take a drive over to the VW dealer and take the Passat for a spin. Youll be shaking your head in disbelief as the Passat is the complete package. Its got it all.

• 

  Great Commuter Car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jonesy - March 23 - 12:20 am

  I drive about 100 miles a day going back and forth to work and the TDI really gets incredible mileage saving me hundreds of dollars each month compared to my full size truck. It has great low end power and just enough top end to pass on the freeway. Interior is comfortable for long trips and your butt gets sore from sitting way before you need to refuel.

• 

  Its Great ... If Its Working - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By sherman - March 22 - 5:40 pm

  My wife and I bought our Golf GLS four-door new in 1999. It only took a couple of months before bizarre problems manifested themselves. Windows that fell into doors, mysterious rattling, seatbelts that refused to work, a radio that went on and off by itself ... plus more serious issues such as transmission problems and sudden brake failure (thats right: failure!), blown head gaskets at 30,000 miles, fluid leaks. Good luck arguing warranty issues with your VW dealer. We spent at least $1000 a year fixing the Golf every year we had it -- factor that in if you buy one. Buy a VW if youre wealthy and/or married to a decent mechanic.

• 

  Dont Ever Buy this car - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Priscilla - March 22 - 11:13 am

  I have had my beetle for three years and will get rid of it in 3 months. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. My beetle has been in the shop more times than I can count on both my hands. I only have 35000 miles on it and it is three years old. The cup holders are the worst design. It is almost impossible to put your drink in the holer without spilling your drink. The visors are worthless, I can never get the sun out my eyes. If you get this car make sure to get the warranty because you will need it.

• 

  perfect - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By britni morgan - March 22 - 10:00 am

  this is the perfect car. everyone who is anyone should own this fast beautiful car. it is perfect for teens. the handling is great thing about this car. you can do like a 180 with out a blink of an eye. no concerns of flipping. that is a german car for you. this car is a 10...without doubt

• 

  WOW From VW - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Walter Makers - March 22 - 10:00 am

  This is the most awsome car I have ever owned. I just replaced my BMW 740 with this Phaeton and it is such a joy to drive.

• 

  Looks good, eats money for lunch - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Z75 - March 22 - 10:00 am

  As other reviewers have said, the Passat is a good-looking, great-feeling ride. It hasnt been very reliable, though. In the first week, it failed inspection because of a leaky brake caliper (fixed under warranty). 4 years and 56k miles later, I had to replace the water pump, fix two oil leaks, replace all four disks and pads, replace all 4 tires, and replace another brake caliper. Not to mention the fuel filler neck recall (free, but annoying). Ive spent about $4k on my car in the past 8 weeks. A lot of it is routine wear, but I wish it werent so damn expensive.