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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  Style, room and features! Get the Routan - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Sammie - February 21 - 9:03 am

  I think most professional car reviewers forget that most people who buy a minivan want features, space and comfort. The Routan has it all and it looks better than its Chrysler cousins both inside and out. Drives better too. The second row seats may not have the flexibility of the T&C but they have more comfort and the storage is still there which is the biggest selling point for me. I do wish the second row seats could be adjusted forward and aft but my boys (the third row occupants) are happy their sister can no longer squish their legs. I drove just about every minivan on the market and the Routan had the best mix of looks, comfort and features. Cheaper than the T&C and Odyssey too.

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  MUST READ THIS - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By NO on VW - February 20 - 11:00 pm

  Do not buy this car. From the very beginning of ownership, it has been a money pit. Within two years, had to replace entire suspension, total front dashboard in car (anything that had lights in it). One major problem after another. Also one minor problem after another. Car looks great, but is a terrible on reliability. We have been stranded multiple times...even on vacation. That our experience as fair warning. Do not buy a VW Passat.

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  Needs Prius Style MPG guage - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wiring-geek - February 20 - 8:56 am

  The Jetta TDI is a great car. My family needs booted me out of my beloved compact pickup, but this is a worthy replacement. If youre hauling children only in back, definitely remove and store the rear head rests...at least remove the middle (of three) for better vision when backing up.

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  2002 Eurovan Poptop - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By cathy - February 20 - 8:13 am

  We bought our Eurovan this summer for frequent weekend trips. It is wonderful, exactly what we needed. Its very roomy and easy to change the interior to match our needs. The seats come in and out quickly, The poptop is easy to put up. The car holds us, our kids, and our dogs with no problems. Put the bikes on the back and we are good to go. This is the best vehicle we have owned.

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  lemon - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By lemonowner - February 19 - 9:20 pm

  I like the way the touareg handles and looks. My main problem is all the things that have been going wrong with it.It has been back at dealership a total of 4 times already(for a total of 13 days),and Ive only had it for just under 5 months. Everything from electrical problems to the door handle becoming stuck and unable to be opened.Not what you would expect from a $.45,000 vehicle

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  Up In Flames - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By insrtg - February 18 - 11:35 pm

  My Volkswagon Routan 2009 was serviced back in March 2013 - transmission & power steering. When the service was completed at a VW service center, I picked up the car, drove home the short distance, and parked in my driveway. The next morning while at a traffic light, the car started to go on fire from the engine and eventually burst into flames. Thankfully no one was hurt, but I dont believe it was a coincidence that it happened a few hours since the car was picked up from the service at Legend Audi Volkswagon in Amityville. Aside from that incident, the car had numerous issues throughout the 4 years, i.e. brakes, glitchy doors, glitchy radio, and recalled parts. Terrible car.

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  Great Zip for the Dough - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By BR26354 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome car for money! It such a hoot to drive. Plus, there is ample aftermarket opportunity to tune this machine for not alot of green. Not that you need to do much more. Maybe a chip ugrade for more power and suspension to reduce the body roll a litte more. I am very pleased with #2780.

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  Buyer Beware!!!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Timm Russel - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Dont buy this car. Has a lot of known issues. If you browse through the comments on this vehicle and you will find out similar problems occuring to too many people. Malfunctioning expensive sensors, defective timing belts, window regulators, mysterious oil leaks etc. I had them all.Too many people with similar problems cannot be a coincidence. Dont let good looks fool you. Quality is a joke in VW and I learned it the hard way. And I can guarantee the manufacturer wont stand behind its product (though they are aware of the problems). Better take a little time and read the comments than being sorry: all these people with similar experiences cant be wrong.

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  So much for the Germans - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By scott1483 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I have 6000 miles on a brand new GLI. Its been in the shop for a cumulative of 20 days for the same electrical problem. This electrical problem inhibits the use of this car and makes it very unreliable. VW will not take responsibility and repurchase the car, and it falls way into the ball park of a Lemon.

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  Driver Found - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By AJWCAW - February 18 - 2:00 am

  After driving Chevys and Fords all my life it is nice to find a car that is both reliable and fun. Living in the Pacific NW the traction contol really comes in handy during those long winters and my frequent trips over the passes to Seattle.