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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  High End German Feel - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ted - January 10 - 3:23 pm

  I bought the 2008 Jetta SE with the charcoal exterior and dark grey interior. I really like this car. Has the look and feel of a much more expensive vehicle at an affordable price. I think the biggest criticism Ive heard about the car is the exterior styling being too similar to the Toyota Corolla. I think the roofline and silhouette of the car is more sophisticated compared to the Corolla. The new tail lights for 2008 also have a new look (VW darkened the perimeter of the tail lights, giving it a more distinctive look). I think the interior is also top notch. Quality materials and lots of features you wont see on the Civic or base model, midsize cars (i.e. Camry, Accord, Altima).

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  Impossible to describe the fun! - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By AZEosLover - January 10 - 2:30 pm

  I drove this car as one of several I intended to consider when replacing a Honda Accord. One test drive and I was hooked. Couldnt wait to get my wife back in to see her reaction. she wasnt excited when I mentioned VW but she did give it a test. One test drive hooked her too. I cant explain to people how much fun this car is! The turbo power is great! Read up on the DSG transmission (Direct Shift Gearbox) and it truly feels like it shifts in 8 ms. Unbelievable! Oh, and the top! What a blast! Its designed so well its like a work of art (OK, Im sounding geeky now). 80 mph on the highway and hardly any major wind. I love it! Just drive one and see for yourself.

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  80K and still fun to drive - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By deeper - January 10 - 2:25 pm

  Have driven VW for decades and this one is no different when it comes to small things needing repair, mostly under warranty. Engine strong, gas mileage consistently exceeds EPA. With Good Year Assurance Comfort tires ride is quiet and smooth though not as sharp as stock. Fully loaded and air-condition running can easily achieve 32-34 mpg at 75mph+. Also fully loaded car doesnt seem to bog down due to turbo torque even going up hills. My son now drives the car but every time I get back in and drive it I smile. Wish they still made a wagon.

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  Not my Grandmas 58 - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By straightliner - January 10 - 10:50 am

  First VW Ive owned. Purchased used w/55K and doubled the mileage. Not bad in the beginning, but repairs have been escalating. Went through three water pumps, mass air flow sensor failed, intake leak (causing check engine light and failed emissions), radiator replacement. Funny, but all the electrical glitches and broken plastic others complain about havent been a problem. The alarm system never seemed to work as advertised, trunk latch doesnt always catch and I got stranded w/the valet key once, but otherwise OK. Fun to drive, love the stick and still turns heads after all these years. Im glad I tried it, but approaching 110K and $4,000 in repairs, Im ambivalent.

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  Yellow Lemon - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By wife of ciscokid - January 9 - 2:30 am

  THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK, built in Mexico not Germany My wifes car, but I paid for it and fixed it Expensive - Waited 4 months, and paid ABOVE MSRP Unreliable – Spent more time in service center than on the road. Electrical problems (windows, radio, seat) Overheating/cooling fan short Transmission problems AC problems (not fun in Texas summers) My favorite was broken drivers door handle If you buy a car for Looks not reliability then you deserve this car

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  Fun to Drive, but Unreliable - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Collinite Wax - January 8 - 9:16 pm

  Weve had our Touareg for about a year. Handles like a sportscar and incredibly fast, and a headturner. But unfortunately, the car is extremely unreliable and has been back to the dealership 5 times for a variety of electrical problems. While the problems have been relatively minor, its hard to reconcile these annoyances with a $42K car: the passenger side mirror sticks in the reverse position, the rear latch doesnt always unlock, and the radio fades out (apparently the antenna is in a poor location in the car, according to the service manager at our dealership). The dealership has attempted to fix these problems on multiple occasions, to no avail. Our last VW, next will be japanese.

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  This Car Absolutely Rocks - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By tom baiza - January 8 - 3:16 pm

  I have in all my life never driven a car that is as much fun as my new GTI. I am 27, so I have had the opportunity to drive a few. The acceleration, handling, and above all else DSG are amazing. Point blank this automatic is by far the best thing on the market today. Dont believe me? Go drive one, but be prepared, after driving one of these babies youll never want to get back in your old car. So make sure you have your checkbook!

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  Its a Keeper! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By digdoug78 - January 8 - 10:19 am

  Ive enjoyed this car from the first time I drove it. I picked it up used. The previous owner put 18s and dropped it about an inch. Low but not too low. Drives nice. Good power getting on the highway, passing, easily cruise at 80+. Controls are easy and intuitive. You can do everything but brake from the steering wheel! You can change from radio to cd to aux from the wheel! You can speed up and slow down, from the wheel! You can turn on wipers, check fuel, driving range, real time mpg, direction, from the freakin wheel! The seats are super comfortable. Im 6 and I have tons of room. The paddle shifters can be fun to use. Used properly, really fun to use. This is a keeper!

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  2006 Jetta TDI (Forget Hybrid & Get TDI) - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andy Haroon - January 8 - 8:23 am

  I bought the 2005.5 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and a month later was so impressed that I sold my other car and got another 2006 TDI for my wife. This vehicle rocks. I try to find excuses to drive it. I personally like the 2005.5 just because VW threw in free options like the heated seats, automatic rain sensing wipers, dual climatic control, entry / exit illumination (VW calls it coming home feature), and the MFI system. On the 2006 model you have to get package two (almost $5,000 more to get options like these). So our 2006 is a plain Jane but the good thing is its my wifes car LOL.

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  Beetle Turbo S - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By captgw2 - January 7 - 7:36 pm

  I bought my Beetle Turbo S for my girlfriend to drive. This replaced a 92 Taurus, so there was no where to go but up! Its been a good car, but has required several trips back to the dealer for warranty issues (emblems peeling, trim falling off, floormat anchors). Its fun to drive and Id buy another as long as it had a warranty in effect.