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:

• 

  Great German SUV - Go Drive - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Robert - July 16 - 7:46 pm

  What a wonderful German engineered SUV! It is the best in its class, by far. I have had no problems with mine.

• 

  Passat Wagon - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By RRGDDS - July 16 - 10:00 am

  The car seems to ride and handle great. Love the lights on the dash at night. Seats are very comfortable.

• 

  Fast , Fun & Safe - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Velvet Hammer - July 16 - 10:00 am

  After weighing all of my options, looking at competitors vehicles. I decided on the best car. The Jetta 1.8T w/ the Tip-Tronic and 17" wheels. The other cars were boring and all looked the same. This one stands out for performance and the "Fun Factor".

• 

  2002 Jetta GLS 2.0 Automatic - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jack Carter - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Overall, I am thrilled with my car. I had a 1995 Jetta III, and a 1997 Jetta GT. They were good cars, but dont compare to the 2002 Jetta. In fact, I brag so much about my car that two of the girls in my office are now driving Jettas,

• 

  "Awesome SUV" - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Chris - July 16 - 7:26 am

  I purchased a preowned 2004 Touareg V6, about two months ago and it is AWESOME! I have never had an SUV that rides, drives, or handles as well as the Touareg. Its overall fit and finish is exceptional and all the gadgets are great. I am pleased with the V6 engine and the fuel economy I have received so far. I cant wait for the snow this winter to try it out.

• 

  5th VW love them - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By GF - July 16 - 4:59 am

  Great prices now.Take advantage when you can.I just went from a 2013 see to a 2016 GLI sel for 25.00 more per month.

• 

  Buy It! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Axman - July 16 - 2:50 am

  Best valuse for the money. I compared it to a Volvo s70 Cross Country and the Passat simply blows that Swede away in every category. The s70 drifts all over the place whereas the Passat is glued to the road.

• 

  Fun and Practical Ride - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By VW Driver - July 15 - 10:03 am

  Being a Former Mini Cooper S owner, I was looking for a car that could match the feel of the Mini’s drivability, while offering more practicality. The new 170HP engine makes a small, but noticeable increase in peppiness and allows the driver to have fun. Though the suspension has received some criticism for being soft, I feel it is pretty close to replicating the feel of the Mini; it is better than any other car I’ve driven in this class. I was very close to purchasing a Mazda 3, but the build quality feels more substantial in the VW Rabbit. While the Mazda is quoted for having the “German feel”, the VW is truly has the German feel all the way, from the steering to the engine tuning.

• 

  Drive Fast - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By Love to Drive Fast - July 14 - 10:00 am

  My 1.8T just turn 2 and it has been fun. I usually buy a new car every 2-3 years because of the heavy mileage I do. However, I think Ill keep this little gem a little longer and maybe do a few upgrades. I just dont think I can part with it. Its fast, handles great, and loves to go hard. You cant beat this car up, it was meant for hard driving. Im often in the drivers seat for hours at a time a find the seating and controls very comfortable. It has the comfort of a much larger car, yet handles nimbly. The only negative was the window problem others have experienced, but my dealer fixed it right away. No problems since.

• 

  My TDI - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By provence1997 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  This has been an excellent car. Great ride, mileage, handling.