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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  Tiguan Review at over 48,000 miles - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Butch - October 9 - 4:10 pm

  We have had this car for over two years and have driven it over 48,000 miles and have had only one problem. The right front head light assembly. The mechanic wrote it up as a problem of the internal mechanical malfunction of the headlight assembly. Other than that our Tiguan has been a pleasure to own and drive.

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  Well Mannered but boring - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Winter1 - October 9 - 2:46 pm

  This is a well mannered wonderfully smooth vehicle with a gorgeous interior, especially all lit for night driving. Underpowered in summer driving with the A/C on. Smoothest car that I owned, but needs more HP and handling. Winter all wheel drive performance was excellent once I ditched the stock tires.

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  Drives like a porsche - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bob Young - October 9 - 5:17 am

  Ive replaced many parts with OEM parts, The Radiator, front axles(2), new brakes- front/back, timing belt, water pump, front airbag, turn signal led strip, 4 new tires- 65k warranty. Body has a few small dings and scrapes, leather interior is very good condition, overall a good daily driver or 2nd backup vehicle, dependable and drives great.

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  Great Car - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By GMAN - October 7 - 11:40 pm

  Ive had the TDI Jetta for 4 months and put over 8,000 miles. Ive saved over $370 in fuel costs in the first 3 months. Ive been getting an average of 42-44 mpg and drive at 70-80 mph on highway. This car is a great alternative to a hybrid and is fun to drive. Ive also tested the Prius and Insight before making my decision. If you do a lot of driving I recommend that you take a look at this car.

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  So Far, So Good - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By david85m - October 7 - 3:20 pm

  Well, after swearing I would NEVER own another VW after my experience with my 2000 Beetle, I had to get a new 2006 model. I bought the Gecko Green Beetle, and so far, Im THRILLED with the car. The small changes theyve made to it (cupholders, chrome around vents, exterior lights, 5 cyl engine) have made all the difference. It is like no other car on the road...I just cant stay away from it! It does kind of stink that Im always scared it wont start due to previous experience, but so far so good! Ive had just a few small issues, the rear hatch sometimes takes two tries to open, the speakers rattle pretty badly and the gas mileage is way worse than before.

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  Just beautiful!!!!!!!!!! - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By jsantos05 - October 7 - 1:24 pm

  This ride is a straight up head turner! sport feature is amazing and on the freeway going 60+ just so smooth. Interior / exterior are beautiful they really put effort into making this cc look more expensive then it really is. BEST THING ABOUT THIS RIDE YOU HARDLY SEE IT ON THE ROAD SO WHEN IT PASSES BY DEF. CATCHES PPLZ EYES.. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE IM VERY PICKY WHEN IT COMES TO CARS. I WANTED TO BUY THE AUDI A4 BUT ITS TO EXPENSIVE WHEN I TEST DROVE THE CC SPORT I WAS SOLD ON THE SPOT IM 24 YEARS OLD AND A PROUD VW OWNER !!!

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  Nice car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dinker Abraham - October 7 - 9:36 am

  Overall good performance, 1.8T lacks pick up problem in highways and all.

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  21,000 Miles So Far - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gordy - October 7 - 7:13 am

  This replaced my 2006 TDI in August. Think I was the third one sold by the dealer. Seat is the same as 2006, and I found out that new TDI(s) have electric passenger seat (I should have waited for it). Best mileage running Minnespolis to Louisville was 41 mpg (WINTER DRIVING). New EPA ratings are realistic for a change. Around Town gets around 33 mpg (WINTER DRIVING). I expect a minor improvement with straight #2 fuel. I love the mileage and feel of the car.

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  ode to a new beetle - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lansing - October 7 - 2:00 am

  While it was love at first sight, the affair turned out to fade with higher maintenance costs than my second wife. The Dick Dean has a shabby, little practice of adding 10% more to the overall price as a market adjustment", which since cured me of ever buying a VW from them again. Their only saving grace is their service department, which treats customers as if they matter. The only problem with the service department, is I see too much of them. After 32,000 miles, every thing on the car started falling apart, or needed replacing at $92/hour. Now that the romance has faded, I will never fall in love again with anything on the lot at Dick Dean VW.

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  Outstanding Value - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Eddie Z - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Excellent aceleration, great interior. Adjustable suspension is great. Better value than Porsche.