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:

• 

  Best Convertible on the Market. - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jane - January 27 - 5:03 pm

  This is a fun car. Ive had convertibles my entire life but there is just something about a convertible New Beetle that is more fun than any of the rest. It has a lot of power and something about the angle and shape of the windshield gives you the illusion of being in a much larger car. Front seat is wonderfully spacious and roomy. Backseat, as Ive stated below, is the major drawback. Im also not delighted with the gas mileage. Im averaging less than 25 mpg .... I was hoping for a little more but even so Id buy the car again in a heartbeat.

• 

  Cute on the Outside, Cheap on the Inside - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Brina - January 27 - 4:26 pm

  I have wanted a Volkswagen Beetle since they came out, and I finally got one last year. I admit it is a fun car, but having to replace the turbo already (before I made the first payment!) and having strange transmission problems, I dont know that I would buy another one. I would absolutely reccomend buying from a dealer, and spending the extra for the extended warranty! The inside is incredibly cheap and easily broken, but the cute flower holder makes up for part of that! It is still fun to drive, but its going to my husband to drive the commute in, and Im getting something different!

• 

  Great Value - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Chappy - January 27 - 3:46 pm

  This is a great car for 25k. Getting 40+ MPG out of the gate in mixed driving. Very quick off the line. You cannot find this mix of performance, build quality, MPG and price anywhere else.

• 

  passat - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By marlene2 - January 27 - 11:28 am

  the worst car nothing but trouble after 3 years

• 

  phaeton 12 - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By scb - January 27 - 10:00 am

  excellent automobile (performance and comfort)

• 

  Phaeton is a great deal! - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By bobschneider - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Phaeton 10 days, and I love it! I was shopping for a 530i or an E320, but when I found I could get a Phaeton for the same money (with incentives) I jumped on it. I got a base model, but it still had all the features I wanted, and is the most comfortable car Ive ever owned. Its no sports car, but it drives very well, and rides like a dream.

• 

  Purchased October, 2003 - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By whatsnaname - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The refinement, styling and attention to details is what makes me appreciate this car the most. But it is also fast, very fun to drive and versatile enough to take off road or drive to the opera. On the negative: gas mileage is around 14 mpg, I wore through my OEM Continentals in less than 20K miles, and have had a couple of quirky electronic or mechanical problems that have not recurred. Once you learn the subtlties of the "convenience package" it is great to be able to customize the features and settings that are usually factory defaults on other cars.

• 

  Shopping - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By WForgacs - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I had been shopping for a SUV for a couple of years and narrowed my search to a Land Rover. My plan was to purchase a 2001 with low mileage. I had tested many with low mileage and was buying based on pedigree and comfort. I was intrigued with VW, it had many good reviews and one day decided to drive the SUV having minimal expectations. I was surprised at the finish, quality, performance, and overall impression of the car. The 6 had enough power for my needs and in my mind decided to confirm my impression with further research. 2 months later I purchased my car. I love the car it s awesome. I can’t say anything to anyone about the SUV that would change this opinion. It handles like my 320 BMW

• 

  DONT BUY OIL PUMP PROBLEMS - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By ciarlone24 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Four oil pumps, One turbocharger, one intercooler, 4 ignition coils, This car sucks!

• 

  outstanding - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By dw8 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  An oddity: a luxury car from a non-prestige name. The interior is gorgeous. (A VW/Audi hallmark.) The W8 engine is smooth and powerful. The AWD system is the best available: VW 4motion IS Audi quattro. Tight precise steering and a well-tuned (sport) suspension. So sure-footed even in blizzards that it exudes confidence. And its a wagon -- so it has tons of space. A fully-loaded family truckster shouldnt be able to blow the doors off 3-series and G35s; this one can. But what family truckster of old was this polished? Its like a buff gymnast in a nice Italian suit. Dont compare it with other Passats; the luxuries it offers are more in line with the A6/allroad and 5-series.