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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  Love It - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By adagio75 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive been a Honda man until now, but wanted more features and wanted a wagon. Driving this car is the ultimate for me. Ive never experienced such luxury for $25K! Its quick (although I wish Id gotten the 5- speed manual...the Tiptronic accentuates the turbo lag), sexy looking, incredibly comfortable on long road trips, and it can outhaul my dads Grand Cherokee in cargo! I havent had one problem (yet...it looks like others have had lots!), and I have recommended this car to family and friends!

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  AMAZING!! screw all engines but the 1.8T - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RyanPortland - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive had several Honda civics and after this last one was stolen (AGAIN!) I decided to check out Volkswagen. I literally drove the car down the street and knew instantly that I would be purchasing it. The 1.8T engine is the funnest I have ever driven. If you dont beleive me just test drive one. This car is beautiful on top of it all. Get the leather and sport suspension with 17" wheels. It makes it an entirely better car.

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  Beetle Cov. 1.8T 6 speed auto - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By 1carnut - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I think the 2004 Beetle Cov. has a nice ride and has good room for its size. The power top is one of the best made in any price range.The 1.8 turbo has good seam less power mated with the 6 speed auto. The a/c can handle any thing you throw at it and the wind block helps keep everything calm. The things I would change a larger pass through the trunk (cant get my golf clubs in),some kind of help reaching the seat belt in front seat (they dont stay on you shoulders very well) and can they make the door not sound like you broke it when you shut it! All in all I like most things about it and would buy it again (I have had six new Bettles).

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  Cute Car!! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Merrie8831 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  So cute with and without the top! I love it and I think I might keep it forever!

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  new beetle - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lori - November 4 - 2:00 am

  awesome and super fun to drive. im a teenager all over again ;)

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  Best Car - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By katja - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Best car that I have ever driven...period.

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  I love this car!! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jkghee0 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I love this car!! Its fun to drive, and the colors great! If you get this car be prepared to be stopped by a lot of interested people!

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  Best for the Money - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By BrentSki - November 2 - 10:00 am

  When comparing the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C240 Audi A4, Volvo S60, Jaguar X-Type- I fell right onto the Passat. Recieving the award as one of the 5 safest vehicles of all time- I fell in love. I am 6 and the main feature that really sold me was that compared to all other cars in its class, the cabin was tall (with sunroof) and the drivers foot well is wide, unlike all other competitors.

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  Great Car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By dharjo/buhshe - November 2 - 10:00 am

  The Passat is a fun car to drive, it is peppy. The main reason we bought the Passat is for all of the safety features it offers and that it is featured on the Highway Safety web page as a great pick with the highest review. We get great gas mileage as well, plus it is a great looking car. We have been real pleased with the vehicle and hate that we have to sell it to get a larger vehicle as our family is growing (in numbers) and we need more seats.

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  A Practical Sportster - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Merckx2 - November 2 - 10:00 am

  The Passat is unbelievable value for the money. Its incredibly fun to drive- very comfortable,too. The longer I own it,the more I like it,and I loved it the day I bought it. The exterior design is very pleasing. The domed roof is just now being copied (Altima);it is the handsomest sedan on the road right now. There is just something very engaging about it.