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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  Rock Solid and Refined - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Zenimage - January 29 - 9:30 am

  I just bought a Passat TDI Wagon and it is a wonderful car. Excellent handling, gutsy acceleration, and is exactly what I need for my 60 mile round trip job commute here in Michigan. It seems to to matter little how many people or how much stuff I have in the car, it just presses on regardless. The only option I have on mine are the 17 Inch wheels. If I had to sum it up: Refined, Rock Solid and Gutsy.

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  Diesels are GREAT - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bob - January 29 - 8:56 am

  Manual trans is fun. I feel like I am in control just like years ago with the standard transmission. The pick up is good working the gears.

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  Driver Found! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By BeetleGal - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with this car the first time I test drove one three years ago. I purchased my car this past May and though its been back to the shop a few times (as can be expected for a used car), Ive had no problems with it at all. My bug is very reliable and always starts, even on frigid PA mornings. The only complaint that I have about it is that I cant really do much of the mechanical work on it myself; it has to go back to the dealer. I cant wait untill Im able to afford the convertable! I will definately buy another Volkswagen!

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  Now, THATs an SUV... - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By bjb21 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned three SUVs (89 Bronco, 01 Pathfinder LE, and 03 Touareg) in the 12 years and neither of them comes close to this car. I can clearly see why this car won the Motor Trend car of the year. All of the standard features were enough, particularly at a relatively low base price (ie: Volvo XC90).

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  Cant Believe I Own One... - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Maggys - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I love my convertible!!! I keep checking my garage to make sure it is still there. It is the cream color car with the beige top. My other car is an Infinite I-35 and I still drive it, but my convertible is my second-childhood car. I wanted it for months and finally got my husband to go to the dealer with me. It really drives well. The engine sounds really great and the transmission shifts smoothly. It really sounds like an expensive sports car. I cant wait to drive it tomorrow morning. It has alot of power for a 4-cyl. I am so-o-o-o lucky to own my 2004 VW Beetle. Thanks, VW!!!

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  Like a GTI on stilts - 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By DAVE ZECH - January 28 - 2:59 am

  I came from a VWGti and the tiguan is everything I need. Fast easy and fun to drive. It has great technology in that it completely syncs with my android phone, for Voice commands including navigation with Google map

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  2004 Jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mikec888 - January 27 - 11:22 am

  We bought the Jetta with 25,000 miles and it has 65,000 now. The only repair was that we replaced the thermostat, otherwise it runs and drives great. Gas mileage is around 24 mpg mixed driving. The build quality is really good and the interior has a lot of room for a compact car. However, the transmission is acting up. It shifts hard and slips on occasion, which at only 65,000 miles is surprising.

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  Best hatchback for the buck - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By donthasslemeimlocal - January 27 - 10:00 am

  My 4 door Golf GL with 5 speed transmission is one of the best purchases I have ever made. The attention to detail in the exterior and the interior is amazing. Everything is very well made and durable. I only have 400 miles on it so far, but the gas milage is already superb. The hatchback design is very useful, and the two extra doors in the back really provide extra utility. Looks and feels way more expensive than it is. People who sit in it dont believe me when I tell them it only cost me $15,095 (before tax of course). If you are considering a focus, civic, lancer or the like I urge you to test drive one of these.

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  Superb Auto - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By DanScar - January 27 - 8:06 am

  Overall excellent performing vehicle. Turns beautifully/confidently even on wet roads. Awesome sound system, cool V8 growl when you press it. We knew about the mileage before we bought but we are not daily commuters. After six months we are still impressed, and there are probably many functions in the computer that we have not discovered yet, like the speed warning my salesman just told me about.

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  Back to its Roots - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By robd - January 26 - 9:46 pm

  This new GTI is everything the hot hatchback should be. Its quick off the line, has plenty of room and usability, is incredibly fun to drive, and gets pretty good gas mileage. I traded in my 02 Jetta for this car, and went from a true manual to the new DSG transmissoin, but couldnt be happier. The new transmission is what got me interested in this car, and I have to say it has all the benefits of both manual and auto trannies, and no drawbacks. The new styling is splendid, and the plaid interior makes you get in and say "I love this car"