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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  Great car - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bryols19 - December 24 - 1:25 am

  I personally dont have an issue with this car. I upgraded from a 2003 vw golf 2.0 which was a great car but lacked power. I love my 2010 2.5 jetta. I have over 76,000 miles on it, car has never given me a problem. Its not the top of the line model but Im fine the engine, powerful enough for me. **Note** there was an engine software upgrade for the gas mileage... from personal experience the car has good gas mileage but I honestly think I had better gas mileage before the software update, I was getting well over 400miles before and now after its more 350-370miles in the city. HWY I can go from VA BEACH to waterbury CT on one tank of gas. 451 miles doing 70-75mph. Im not complaining.

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  cursed car - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shellky - December 23 - 7:16 pm

  Ive had my jetta for around six months now and had nothing but problems I know the complete history of the car being close friends with every owner its always had an elet problem brake light randomly not working but other than that no big problems sence ive had it the trunk latch broke key and elet moldings falling off coolant resvior cracked catt cloged fuel injector exhaust the brake lights are blowing instead of just randomly not working the coil cracked the back seat is falling apart clutch is going (180k impressive but still on its way out)

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  Couldnt Find a Better Hatchback - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Matt - December 23 - 1:13 pm

  I tried to find a better deal on a hatchback used and domestic (even went to car auctions). This two door appears to have more room than the four door Focus. What sold me was the vast range of features and powertrain. It is a huge improvement from the Mark IV Golf with its four wheel independent, five cylinder, and a very smooth shifting six speed Tiptronic transmission for only $17,000! The plastics on the exterior protect exactly where the car would get bumped in parking lots. Plus it has traction control, heated mirrors, ABS, cruise control, six airbags, laser wielded frame, and daytime running lights...the list goes on. I would love to sell these for a living.

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  Really Nice Van - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Bob S - December 23 - 6:40 am

  Compared to my 2006 Honda Odyssey EX-L, this is a great van! Much quieter on the road, better seats, and we dont see ourselves coming and going everywhere. The Honda doesnt have the toys either. The power passenger seat is especially important to my wife.

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  Lemon - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Holly Martel - December 23 - 4:56 am

  Ive only owned the vehicle for 3 months and its been in the shop for a total of 23 days now. The list is endless with all the problems. Nice to look at inside and outside when Im actually able to drive it. Have hired a lawyer and it will be going back to the dealership...for good!

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  Eurostyle wagon experience - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By Landon - December 22 - 7:06 am

  I shake my head at all our neighbours driving these hideous SUVs and crossovers that handle like buses and drink fuel like crazy. There are options! This car has way more room than our neighbours Murano and is a blast to drive! We love manual trannys and this was the only wagon we could get one in. We got a highline with real leather, moonroof, dual climate, satellite radio. Had an Acura TSX before and this is quicker but gets the same mileage. It is also quieter and smoother but the leather and aesthetics were nicer in the Acura.

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  Been good to me - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By audioi - December 22 - 12:26 am

  I have owned my 2003 1.8T Tip-Tronic for 2 years and have taken it to the shop for oil changes only. Yes thats correct no coils needed and therefore it has been a stellar car. It will average 25 to 27 MPG in town and I have often gotten up around 35 MPG on the open road at 10 over 65. I have tested other cars and quite frankly find that the zip from the turbo and the comfort of the quality leather interior make this a great buy. Its lines are clean and the fit & finish are as good as I have seen. The ride is a bit mushy but the standard 15" tires are a lot of the culprit and could easily be changed out for something better. The car is very stable in the NE snow country with stock tires.

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  R32 ownership - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By 15973 - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Exhilarting every time I turn the key!

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  second vw jetta - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bolero bolero - December 21 - 10:00 am

  exellent car.no problems,i make over 75000 miles in 3 years.

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  Few Complaints - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jillian Kennedy - December 21 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my VW for nearly 4 years now and it has only recently started to give me problems, but most of my complaints about that would be with the local VW dealership and service department (Moffitt Volkswagen in Bossier City, Louisiana; my advice: do yourself a favor and go elsewhere). Other than that my VW has been an absolute joy to own and drive!