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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  Gotta love it! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Lost in LA - July 6 - 3:20 pm

  The new Beetle is the best piece of design to hit the road in many years. It has good build quality, great handling, but unfortunarely a despicable dealer network. This is my 5th "Golf" platform VW. And each time I swear Ill never buy another because of the dealers.

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  poor emissions - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lorila - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I would love this car if I could keep it out of the shop-the price of repairs could have afforded me a much more expensive car! I am getting out VW this year as they have refused to help. Other people I know have much better response from their cars and their manufacturers!! I see other people have the same citrus experience!

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  Best Overall SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By JakeIllinois - July 6 - 10:00 am

  No other SUV can touch the interior styling of the Touareg. The quality of parts and materials makes the Lexus RX 330 look cheap. The outside is stylish without looking like aftermarket parts - the RX 330 chrome tail lights - come on! SO HIGHSCHOOLISH. The Tourag is a bit touchy in low speeds and gets 15 mpg, but, those are the only lows. Beats Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and all others. VW is also cool - who needs those other stuckup brands? My Touareg gets looks from all ages. Get one!

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  The Black Flash - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mate - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Very nippy, handles well - though should corner better with its wide rims & low-profile tires - a great fun wagon

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  Run away fast! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By wolfman333 - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Sexy car inside and out. Drives nicely on the freeway. Mine has some really bad rattles that the dealership cant seem to fix and I may have to get an attorney to get VW to do anything about it. Climatronic is the most illogical and difficult to use heating/air conditioning system Ive ever encountered. If youre living in ignorant bliss buy this car. If real quality matters run away fast.

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  best buy for the money in small cars - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chipmunk - July 6 - 10:00 am

  best buy for the money where as other cars charge extra added extras on the jetta they are standard equipment for an example the corrolla le or s modal with the same eqipment ended up beeing $4000 more

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  This car rocks! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By guywhoisjustin - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Very roomy and the 1.8T never gets old. I think the VR6 is not worth the price.

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  I still cant believe this car is mine! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RJkiefer - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Its like my own personal luxury german car... hell, its not LIKE it, it IS it. Its awesome. The 1.8t is glorious, and the car is feature rich. A car enthusiasts dream.

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  Jetta TDI - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By PJL - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Great car if you drive a lot and dont want to pay a lot for fuel. Still performs well and is fun to drive.

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  new beetle electronic problems - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bcliffelec - July 6 - 10:00 am

  constant check engine light immediatley after purchase. Multiple dealerships were unable to ever find the problem. Volswagen ended up having to buy the car back under the "Lemon Law" but it was a real hassle!