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:

• 

  I Can Afford A Passat?!! - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By westys_4_ever - January 12 - 8:53 pm

  Yes. Yes I can! This car is so packed full of value, bought on a lease, anyone could afford it. And they would be right to do so. The details inside the cabin are so thought out, they really didnt cut any corners. All of the cubbies found in the car are lined with grippy rubber to prevent sliding of phones or other hard items. The top of the dash, near the bottom of the windshield has a strip of brushed stainless matching the stuff on the dash and center console. The seats are supportive and comfortable. The drivers seat has power lumbar which feels amazing. I really like the stark white dash numbers at night. They are easier to read at a glance than the blue ones.

• 

  New Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By 2004 Touareg buyer - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Great Interior, lots of toys with the Premium package. Radio is excellent. lacks back seat room. good cargo space, for future models I would expect a movable rear seat (available on the M class mercedes benz). the aftermarket rubber floor matts are a $99 must for bad weather cities or muddy children.

• 

  Quite Happy with my TDI - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By atltdi - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my TDI Wagon since May. I previously had a 2001.5 1.8T 5 speed. Although I loved the efficiency of the engine of my old car,the low end torque of the 1.8T was simply not strong enough to handle extreme driveways and hills in and around Atlanta. The diesel is a completely different story altogether. It comes off of the line quickly...so much so that the tires will squeal if punched too quickly.... The hills and steep driveways are no longer a problem from standing stops. Atl to DC on one tank of fuel. I love it.

• 

  Loving my Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By boobootg - January 11 - 5:56 pm

  It provides a very comfortable, quiet, smooth ride while also having wonderful performance. Its acceleration is good for a sedan of its size. The built in XM and interior lighting get compliments from everyone.

• 

  Bullet Proof!!!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By 2000vw - January 11 - 12:08 pm

  i purchased my vw 2 years ago with 133,000 miles on it and have had no problems with it ...took it to florida on spring break doing 85 mph all the way made it from indiana on 1 tank getting 52.3 mpg love it:) its got 204,000 on it now bout time for water pump and timing belt replacement just normal wear...i love my car:)

• 

  2014 TDI R-Line - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By mkcoach1 - January 9 - 6:27 am

  I bought my 2014 Touareg R-Line in November and have driven it 3,600 miles of mixed highway and city driving. It is a great vehicle and has exceeded my expectations. The interior is very similar to my 2010 Porsche Cayenne that I drove for 3 years and very close to my wifes 2012 Audi Q7 S-Line. I am getting 26 miles to the gallon combined and the R-Line sport suspension is great fun to drive. Very comfortable seating for an old athlete that is 65" and it has very easy controls for navigation etc.

• 

  My Dream Come True - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sprawler - January 9 - 2:00 am

  As far as I can remember, VW has always been a part of my life. I grew up with a 77 Bug. At 16 years old, my first car was an 82 Rabbit convertible, and now, at 23, I drive a 2002 Jetta GLI. This is my realistic dream car - affordable, yet undeniably awesome! It is everything I could want - power, looks, comfort - all neatly packaged on 4 17" wheels. If you are planning to purchase a new sedan, you owe it to yourself to test drive a Jetta GLI first.

• 

  2003 GLS Convertible is a winner! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By MNBeetleOwner - January 9 - 2:00 am

  VW has done a fantastic job with this new model! Great handling, fun to drive. The rag top roof is a feature I have waited for since the New Beetle introduction. Cant wait for the first Spring day to pull back the roof and let the sun-shine-in.

• 

  Awesome Passat 2.5 - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By twmfam3 - January 5 - 5:14 pm

  Great room great fit and finish great engine, transmission, steering and braking. I push this car hard when Im on the Interstate, 80 plus mph for hours this car can run with the best and step out and lead with no problem. Change the oil 2x per year runs like a top. Great back seat room, great front passenger and driver comfort. Very well executed sedan.

• 

  Wonderful car - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By phaeton II - January 5 - 4:26 pm

  I have 5000 miles on the car and it is still a good feeling to get in and drive. The fuel economy is 15 to 16 in short trip city driving. Highway speeds 70 and higher where allowed 22 to 23 mpg. The car is solid and quiet at speed. The fit and finish on this car is perfect. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a good luxury car for a price way less than some other brands.