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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  2004 GLX Passat - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By soccmom1 - March 1 - 10:00 am

  Great car to drive. No problems just general maintenence. Nice pickup and better than listed fuel economy. LOVE IT!!!!!!!

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  New Vdub rush - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rwikerson - February 27 - 2:30 pm

  This is my first foreign car and now I get it. This car is quite impressive all around. I love this car. It is comfortable, enjoyable, affordable, even if the gas mileage isnt stellar. It sure beats my old 2006 PT Cruiser which was getting 17 mpg city. You cant help but smile when driving the Beetle. It sticks to the road and is very quick and I feel extremely safe in it even though it is a small car. Dont over think and criticize the back seat. It is more than enough. So the head room isnt excessive, I have had 4 door sedans that were just as bad. Enjoy the ride.

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  Expensive but worth it - 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By emotionalrat15 - February 27 - 9:35 am

  Bought our 2014 Tiguan R-Line and love it! The rear cargo room is a bit small and I was super nervous about rear leg room if the trunk was that small but it was more roomy than a 2014 Escape! I was amazed! Leather seats are comfy and the memory seats are great too! Off the line, there is about a full second of turbo lag but after that, its gone. Engine sounds throaty and has a great exhaust note. We got 19mpg on mainly hwy driving which was disappointing but its -10 where I live and I do accelerate hard on occasion, it also doesnt help that its not broken in! Paying 40 grand is a lot especially when it doesnt have a backup camera or sat/nav(extra options) but still a fantastic CUV

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  Ultimate Small Hatch GT - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By Boz - February 26 - 4:56 pm

  My respect for VWs new R32 grows with every drive. The sounds that emanate from the exhaust when pushed turns pedestrian heads. Yet the supreme comfort of the seats and adjustable wheel makes the perfect driving position available to anyone. The dual zone climate control quietly keeps the car comfortable and the systems auxiliary heater gives me warm air within a minute even at single digit temps. 4Motion works effortlessly in snow while the DSG automated manual impresses with its quick, smooth shifts. Handling is much sharper than the GTI when turning at speed as the engine tourque is split between all four wheels. This car definitely has the soul of a long distance autobahn cruiser.

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  This car will surprise you! - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By MBekefi - February 26 - 2:00 am

  This car will surprise you with its refined diesel engine, the power, the fuel economy, and so much more. If you think diesels are horrific, this car will change your mind.

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  Great car, couple of issues - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Andy L - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable ride. Good mileage around 30mpg. Love the fresco green color. Two negatives about the car are: 1) delay in acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear, 2) poor visibility out the back window because of the head rests getting in the way.

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  quick, loaded with features, Fun! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jim Driver - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven my Jetta 1000 miles, and I am really having fun with every mile! The manual trans, excellent handling, braking, and turbo have made me feel like Im in a rally car- with interior comforts and luxury. Performance is VERY good. City fuel mileage is not great at about 25.7 right now.... I rate the build quality so far as excellent, except some stray door rattles, and everything works great. Amazing features, attention to detail- gently dimming lighting, trunk release, and the unique remote key. This is my 9th car, probably the best overall quality. LOVE the interior lighting - I could drive this car all night long!

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  EXCELLENT COMMUTER - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By imangymoose - February 25 - 12:39 pm

  This car is average 42 miles per gallon over 3000 miles of which 70% is highway and 30% is in town. No problems so far

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  Car feels more expensive than it is - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By whofan67 - February 24 - 11:36 am

  I love looking at, sitting in and driving this car. VW did this one right. I was looking at a Sonata, Lexus IS250, Infinity G35 and Buick Regal and none gave me as much car for the money as the CC. There simply is no finer car for me in the low 30K range.

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  Phabulous Phaeton - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Kinikia - February 24 - 10:00 am

  The best luxury car Ive owned. Spacious, comfortable, powerful, convenient, well made and solid. An A+ addition to the Volkswagon family,following in the tradition of quality.