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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  2012 Tiguan - Early Signs All Very Positive - 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By gobuffs2 - February 10 - 9:45 pm

  Purchased this SE model with FWD after about 5 months on the car hunt. AWD not necessary IMO & saved $2K. Looked at Hyundai, Nissan, Ford, Toyota even Audi & Merc. Benz. The car has good zip, the turbo kicks in when asked, and it rides smooth - suspension can feel a bit stiff though, so you feel some road bumps. Fit and finish are outstanding as are the ergonomics. It is very fun to drive, the navigation and audio package is very nice - IMO, no need to bump up to the next level of audio or trim. The leather-ette interior is very nice; most people think it to be real leather and I like the idea that it will clean up easier since I haul kids. Overall, very very pleased so far.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jetta 06 - February 10 - 10:06 am

  This is the first German car Ive owned. Ive always driven Hondas, Toyotas and an occassional domestic. Even though I bought the base model, it feels much more expensive and solid than anything I drove from Japan. Im very impressed with the build quality and materials as well as the amount of features that are standard. Not to mention the safety factor. Also, it rides like a little Audi or BMW. I definitely feel like I got my moneys worth from the Jetta!

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  Black 01 GLX 4Motion Wagon - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Willliam Wenzel - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love our GLX 4Motion Wagon. My wife and I both state that we will definitely purchase another Passat Wagon or Audi S4/A6 Avant for our next family transportation. Very pratical and economical. Great looks and wonderful Germanic handling characteristics with a great firm, but comfortable ride to boot. Indigo blue lights at night for the dash are real cool. I also have received several compliments on what a great looking, quality wagon it is. I own an 01 BMW 325Cic convertible for my weekend fun and the German engineering really shows on these vehicles in the quality and the handling characteristics.

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  The Car Drivers Wanted - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By KentClark - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I just bought the VW 2002 Passat...VW touts, "Drivers Wanted", I think this is the car that Drivers Wanted. I love the car! It drives like a dream and has really intelligent engineering features. My friends and family all want to drive it. I was in a friends BMW 325-something last night, at 5110", I was squished in the backseat...not so in the Passat...backseat has plenty of room and plenty of trunk room. I love the Tipronic. The controls and switches are simple and simply placed. Very nicely done and easy to use day or night. I love having dial gauges again! The car looks and drives smart!

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  New Beetle Turbo GX - 2000 - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Tom C - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Is fun to drive and still gets attention on the road. The few problems so far have mainly been minor annoynances.

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  Happy Driver - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By miana - February 10 - 10:00 am

  This Jetta is my second one and I absolutely love driving it. The handling and road feel are excellent and the styling brings positive comments from other people.

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  Goog little ride! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lovemyjetta - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2001 Jetta and so far so good. The only problem Ive had is that recently the sunroof got stuck...while open. The dealership took it and fixed it right away and even gave me a rental car. I commute about 45 miles everyday to work and I feel very safe in my jetta. I think it is reliable and sturdy.

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  Why buy anything else?? - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TXwhitewater - February 10 - 1:10 am

  Gobs of fun to drive! 40+ MPG. Holds a bunch of stuff. Very good fit & finish. Too soon to tell much about reliability... Only problem so far, I look down at the speedo, Hell! Im doing 80 again... Really smooth, quiet for a Diesel.

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  total lemon - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By paul206 - February 9 - 9:37 pm

  $8,000. & counting. In the shop as we speak for same problem - replaced cam shaft & lifters twice. Started bellowing black soot & delayed throttle. Had a complete diagnostic before warrenrty expired - "not a problem" until warrenty expired then became downright VERY DANGEROUS. Then after problem was apparantly fixed - cam & lifters = $$$ thousands the turbo would shut off & again VERY DANGEROUS going up inclines on highways. VW (canadas) reply - "NO CAMPAIGN existing" which in VW land means go away - we dont care).

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  timing belt - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Pete Poindextrer - February 9 - 9:30 am

  We purchased our bug about 11 months ago. We immediately had to replace the AC condenser but later found out that it was the electrical box to the AC. The mechanic said that this was common for this car. We had the timing belt break and it destroyed most of the engine. VW states that the timing belt should last 1005,00 miles. Ours broke at 86,000. This cost us $2600.