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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  Good for the long haul. - 2005 Volkswagen Golf
  By scvcampdavis - December 28 - 4:36 am

  I drive about 115 miles round trip to work. All I have ever done is change the oil (about every 12-15k miles), replace a couple head lights, and change the tires. My car has yet to need brakes or any major repair. The perfect stylish, fun to drive, daily commuter!

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  Great Car - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Chris - December 27 - 3:06 am

  First, I didnt give any "10s" because something has to be literally perfect. That said, for the money, a great car. Its broken in and the last 3 fill ups have been right around the 30 mpg combined mark. I drive very conservatively and about 60/40 hwy/cty. 5 spd manual allows low rpm shifting as well. 5th gear could be taller for the highway, or a 6th gear would help out too. Car comes standard with a good number of things like remote entry. Fun to drive and well made. Im coming from a 2006 C-Class MB, so I had high expectations. Seems to have met them so far.

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  Best Ever - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By sunsetswan - December 26 - 5:26 pm

  I have owned this car for 2 years now. This has been, overall, the best car I have ever owned, and I have owned a lot of vehicles over the last 40 yrs of driving. The quality is exceptional and the driving puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. The fun factor and mileage make it a "10".

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  Yeah, well, ok. . . - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Victory - December 26 - 10:00 am

  We bought the volkswagen passat as our first family car, and it just didnt meet our needs like we thought it would. When we purchased the passat it seemed roomy and exceptionally quiet, The roominess quickly wore off but it still remains one of the least noisy cars (behind the wheel) weve been exposed to. I didnt like the fact that this car was the first I had to take to the dealership to change out the headlight; Its very complicated under the hood. It was alright, but didnt thrill us at any point.

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  no jetta - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By nojetta - December 26 - 10:00 am

  There havent beeen any major problems with the car, but small things seems to have all kind of problems. Example 1.problem with power window failure. 2. Signal light relay. 3. Annoying rattle from the door locks. 4. Burns about a quart of oil per 1k miles ect...All kinds og small mechanical problems, just enough to annoy the heck out of you...

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  Great fun! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By redbug04 - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Its the fun car! im 16 and it is just an awesome car to have. I always feel safe and just am always laid back.

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  DSG trans slippage?I - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mark - December 25 - 11:30 pm

  light purchased car april 09,and really like the gas mileage esp. in town. Having problem with the DSG trans. slipping when on an incline. The trans. slips to neutral and the car starts to roll backwards for a few feet and then engages.Talked with dealer today and he said that was because the trans. goes to neutral at a stop. Offered no fix except possible software upgrade. Was wondering if any one else had same problem and what the fix was? Also added on a dimming mirror with homelink. This should be an option on sportwagon.

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  VW has hit a homerun with the new Jetta - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RDW South Carolina - December 25 - 2:36 pm

  We have driven Mercedes diesel autos for fifteen years. my wife got us interested in the Jetta diesel and we made a good decision to buy the VW. it is a pleasure to drive.

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  Best Audi for the money.... - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By The Car Expert - December 25 - 2:16 pm

  I had test driven the new BMW 5-Series, the Audi A6 and S4 before leasing this vehicle. The new 06 Passat is completely redesigned and it is quite simply, the most affordable "Made in Germany", luxury sedan in the world! The spacious interior and powerful 200 bhp turbo engine make this Passat the best offering VW has ever made to a thirsty American consumer, unable to wait for Alfa Romeos return, or unable to afford their flagship Audi branded sedans. It was almost identical in drive, ride, handling and braking as the new 06 Audi A6 sedan...but for exactly HALF the price! Why would anyone buy an Accord or Camry, when this fine German made vehicle is available?

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  V-dub 2008 - best bang for your buck - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By climbonboard - December 25 - 1:00 pm

  This car is the best "bang for your buck" for the money. Beautiful design inside and out. The safest compact car in the U.S.; disadvantage is weight -at 3200 lbs, as heavy as a Toyota Camry. Newly re-designed engine has plenty of passing power on the highway. Engine note is quiet at steady speed and rich sounding under acceleration. Car grips the road better than any car Ive driven in my life (hint: order the OEM Continental Contipro Contact tires on your car). Stereo - good sound - quite decent for factory stereo; has RDS (station and song info) and volume leveling (increases volume at speed). Excellent residual value allows for cheap leases.