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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  Poor Product, Arrogant Manufacturer - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Marq - March 15 - 5:33 am

  Grimly unreliable. This car reminds me of owning a 1977 Fiat in High School. VWs look classy and handle well, but things fall off this car (i.e. interior panels, turn signal covers, coat hooks) The check engine light flashes like a Munich disco. Never again will VW gain my business.

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  maritime hauler - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By nplatt - March 15 - 5:19 am

  I drive about 10,000 kilometers a month as we are building a house about 1,800 kilometers from where we live. I make about a trip a month down east and my daughter plays a lot of hockey in the Greater Toronto Area. My car has almost 50,000 kms. since I got it late last fall and I feel that I can give a fair and balanced review. Yes, the mileage is great as long as the weather is not too cold, it gets much better in warmer weather. My only gripe is the GPS which conks out after 10 hours of driving- maybe it overheats, I am not sure. The one negative thing that caught me off guard was a tow truck driver who tried to intimidate me which filling up. He said that I was in the truck land-a..hole!

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  You can tell it is a german car! - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Franco - March 14 - 4:50 pm

  After test driving some Japanese makes (you can imagine which ones), I finally made it to the VW dealer, and it felt like I had been driving go- karts all day! This felt so solid and drove so well. I loved the tiptronic transmission and the VW signature blue and red display on the dashboard! The mileage this car gives is also very respectable. This was the last car I test drove. The 66" salesman opened the drivers door wide open when we got back to the dealer, hung himself from the door for about 7 seconds, and then closed the door. It closed as if nothing had happened. He looked at me, smiled and said: "Do not try this on a Japanese!" I thought this was a funny remark. I love my Jetta!!!

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  Junk! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kady - March 14 - 3:06 pm

  I bought my Jetta 3 years ago. I had it for about 5 months before it started having serious electrical issues. After letting off the accelerator the car will just shut off and all the service lights will start beeping. Also sometimes after turning off the car and opening the door all the cab lights flash as well as the clock on the dash. Sometimes the car wont start at all. I have been taking it to VW dealership service shops and other shops that specialize in foreign cars for two years and no one can tell me what is wrong with it.

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  Wow, What a Fun Car! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By garyeaston - March 13 - 6:10 pm

  I test drove other cars in the same class (Corolla, Civic, etc.). Boy, are those cars "Mom and Pop" compared to the Rabbit! Lets start with the cars performance - it is simply hard to drive this car "normally", especially with the shiftable auto trans and Sport Mode! If I drive it fast and hard, gas mileage stays to the low end of what the sticker says (22), no big deal. If I drive "normally", I get 25 city/30 hwy MPG consistently. The car is incredibly fun to drive and has tight build quality. This is my second VW (Passat previously). Very happy with the car.

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  Love my 2013 TDI! - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ellerman99 - March 13 - 5:48 pm

  Have only had it for 2 weeks and 700 kms (Canadian) but I love this car! Upgraded the 18 VW Khartoum wheels so it has a nice sporty look, ride comfort is great and so far fuel mileage has been great! All around a perfect car for me, Ill be doing about 3,000 KM a month. Performance is surprising for a TDI, although I have never owned one, Ive heard in the past they were sluggish, not this, once the turbo kicks in it does pretty good!

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  Power Style Pleasure to Drive - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By goodgame3 - March 13 - 6:15 am

  The new Passat is a great family car. The DSG transmission is super smooth and quick gear changes. Merging on the freeway in sport mode always puts a smile on my face. There is more than enought power in this V6 so much so you have to goose it slowly to stop traction control taking power away from those not so sticky stock tires. I am sure they will not last long given the tendancy to slip on take off. Then I can get some really sticky performance tires on those 18 inch rims a couple profiles wider and really make use of the 280 Hp and 258lb of torque. Interior is solid with a great sound system. Seats are firm and supportive and give plenty of adjustment options.

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  This Car is for Suckers - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Graham25 - March 13 - 2:00 am

  After years of wanting a Jetta, I bought one and...well....be careful what you ask for. The car was great until it the 80,000 mile mark and then small things started going out and then big expensive things started breaking like the clutch. After only 3,000 miles, the clutch has gone out again and VW is refusing to guarantee their workmanship and pay to fix it. I will never buy a VW again and am filing a complaint with my states Attorney Generals Office.

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  Reasonably Adequate / Leather Lacking - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By wpederson - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle replaced my 01 Jetta which was too small. I love the endless list of features, like the auto up/down windows, and rear window shade, but the leather in my car looked fake (my Honda Accord has better leather) On a long road trip in a Montana winter the heating fan went out, if it wasnt for the heated seats I would have froze to death.

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  Decent for my standards - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wpederson - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This car is remarkable quick for being a 4 banger. I was equally impressed by the list of standard features with this model. Being a single man, I did not care about backseat room, until I had to sit back there! There was less room than my 2dr Accord Coupe! But the car really proved itself to me when I rear ended a brand new Mercedes, the airbags werent pleasant (but what ones are?) however I was highly impressed by the way it held up. The damage was $10,000+ and would have surely totaled my Honda had I been driving it. After the car was fixed it wasnt the same (are they ever?) so I traded up to a 2002 VW Passat (will review that one too)