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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  The Bug that just kept Going... - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By javbw - November 20 - 11:33 pm

  I have a 1999 (2/24/99) GLS bug with 200,000 miles on it, and I drive the heck out of it. I drive it fast, hard, and occaisionally offroad. (get the sport springs). Im very hard on the things I own, and the fact my Bug is still with me is a testament to its inital design and early warranty recalls (window switches and a couple sensors back around year 2) - all the "bells and whisles" worriers can forget about it for their next car - and get auto door locks and windows already! All of my issues have stemmed from things thrown at my car on the freeway (rocks, ladders, etc) and as long as you keep up with the maintaince, shocks, and a failed engine sensor every year, youre good.

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  Buy A Warranty and have fun - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Look Out - November 20 - 7:16 am

  In two years the car has been towed four times due to "electrical failure"...like a brake light goes out. AC failed twice, car looses power and stalls at 60 miles an hour. BUY THE WARRANTY....Have another car available to drive when they have to order parts...could be days for repair.Between repairs it is fun to drive....Electrical and fuel issues are many at 50k miles

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  All around great car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Greg - November 19 - 9:40 am

  Some minor interior quality things need to be improved, like the window buttons have started to loose its paint, and homelink transmitter fell off. Over all its a great car. Have not had one bit of problems with it. Doesnt have that great of pick up and go. But has a lot of modification options which Ive taken advantage of.

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  My first manual SPORTS car. - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By duffychou - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Its a fun car. Really like it.

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  04 V8 Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Bob McMahon - November 19 - 2:00 am

  The doors on the car do not always close when shut and remain ajar about 50% of the time, unless slammed really hard. Some of the door handles are also remaining in the open position (or out) when released. This also causes the doors to not shut properly. The automatic shifting doesnt always shift into the 6th gear under all circumstances. It will shift into 6th gear if the shifter is moved ( to the right) into the shiftable transmission mode. Overall if the longterm relaibility is excellent Id buy another Touareg. Bob Mc Vermont

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  My - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Biffer - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Saw several last year in Europe just as the model was being launched--love at first sight. I couldnt wait for it to hit these shores. Handsome exterior, flawless interior, outstanding build quality, superb handling, reasonable performance from the V6...this car is brilliantly executed in every way. I enjoy the looks I get from other drivers!

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  fantastic SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Mr archer - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Superb Vehicle. Great road/off road driver. Found out to after purchase that several features that are in VW brochure and on their vehicle features web site are NOT available on United States Vehicles. These unavailable features are promently described inthe handbook that comes with the SUV.

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  2002 New Beetle GLX Turbo - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Stephanie Ross - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I was interested in this car because of the retro design and the performance of the turbo engine. Its an eye-turner car; however, Ive been having continual problems with this Beetle. With less than 30K miles, I went through two transmissions, new A/C unit, and defective power windows (suddenly fell inside door and broke). Im not impressed with VW and was really disappointed with this car. Its not reliable and Im anxious to sell it before the warranty expires!

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  Not much to ask for - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nigel Deidrich - November 19 - 2:00 am

  So far this has been a great, fun car to drive. Ive taken it on a couple of 800 mile round trips and it handles/drives wonderfully on the interstates. And its even more fun on the backroad curves. Comparable to or even better than my Jag XK8. The 6spd trans is terrific.

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  I finally got one! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By roniraes - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I have wanted a beetle for 19 yrs and I finally have it! It was worth the wait. I love the way it handles and the ease of just dropping the top. I think everyone should have one excellent de-stressing tool. : )