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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  What a beaut!!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TuTu - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Yes, the windows do "rattle" a little when you hit a bump...yes, the cupholders are in a bad place...but if you are looking for the perfect car, it is not going to come at a $25000 price tag. The car handles wonderfully, the seats are comfortable (not to mention heated), it looks better than any other small sedan and has low maintenence and the highest resale value in its class. You are not going to find a better car for the price. Oh, and to the person who said the doors are heavy...THAT IS A GOOD THING...it means it is a quality, solidly built vehicle. I highly recommend this car to anyone considering it.

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  Comfort - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Yolanda - July 3 - 3:43 pm

  I had a 2002 Jetta with 59,000 miles on it and the performance was great, able to handle the highway without loosing any grip. I bought a 2008 Passat Lux. I needed leg room and performance with an economy niche to it. This Passat is better looking than the Lexus. I have received more compliments on this vehicle style, color, and performance. I needed a good running car with a slight luxury texture that is not expensive in maintenance. VW designed the perfect car for me. Thanks VW.

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  VW Luv my bug - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By NancyP - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Okay, only owned it for 2 months, but what a joy to drive! Responsive in traffic- big plus. Shifting a breeze with the 5-speed. Cuter than cute! Safe, fun, performs when asked-- what more could you ask for?

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  2003 W8 - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jim Hubber - July 2 - 10:00 am

  After a year of ownership this W8 has lived up to my every expectation. I have had no problems with the vehicle. Quality, integrity, and performance are excellent. Fuel mileage is better than I expected.

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  Love this car! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dawnimer - July 2 - 10:00 am

  I had a 1999 Passat (1.8T) and traded it in for a 2004 AWD. The motor is actually zippier. I looked at the 6cyl but it was only 20 more horsepower for about $4,000 more. The 1.8T is plenty fast enough. I love this car. It is really fun to drive and sticks to the road like glue. It is confidence inspiring on wet roads. My favorite part is how cheap this car is. For what you get it is the biggest bargain on the market.

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  Expedition to Jetta and Im OK with that - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By WI_Commuter - July 2 - 10:00 am

  After 17000 miles Im very happy with the 04 Jetta wagon. Very comfortable on the highway (Im 62" and have an hour long commute, so this was a concern). Have hit 50+mpg on highway drives, average is closer to 40 though when commuting. Mine rattles between 35 and 40 mph, but cant complain cause I havent taken it in for a fix yet. I went from an 02 Eddie Bauer Expedition to the Jetta; I cant realistically tow my boat with it, but other than that Im happy with the change. I did install a class II hitch on it though and can pull a loaded 4x8 trailer easily (the low and torque is an obvious benefit here).

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  Fun to Frive - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By justin h - July 2 - 9:23 am

  Regardless of which VW you drive the suspension build is much greater than most car brands. There is no play in the steering wheel, no sway around corners, and plenty of power now that the 2.0 4 banger is gone as a base engine. After renting Pontiacs and Fords, and driving many other brands, driving a VW is how driving should feel.

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  VERY IMPRESSED!!!!!!!! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By j sansone - July 1 - 6:00 am

  So far I seem to be very impressed with the build quality.

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  Sweet Ride - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mr. Driver - June 30 - 6:36 pm

  I love this car. I just picked up my third Passat in six years. The turbo engine works best with a manual transmission. The ride is smooth and dignified. This is a car that likes to be driven in the same way you should drink a good wine. The 05 model has more body roll than in past years. The tradeoff is a more forgiving ride over bumpy roads, potholes, etc. As for long term problems like "oil sludge", I can only say that VWs are popular with people who like to modify their engines. They turn a 170 horsepower engine into a 240 horsepower engine, dont bother to change their oil at the suggested intervals, and then cry with outrage when their engine goes bye bye...

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  Solid - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By CA - June 29 - 8:50 am

  Bought this R32 used with 12k miles. It is everything that I thought it would be. Solid build, handling, acceleration. DSG is surprisingly quick and responsive. 23 MPG mixed so far but am surprised at the amount of revs in top gear. This engine could easily handle a taller gear and would probably get better gas mileage. Unlike others, I think this vehicle is exactly what it was made to be and should be. "FUN" The only thing Im disappointed in is the IPOD adapter. $75 Harmon Kardon add on unit does a far better job.