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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  Best car in its class!! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nikola Karev - September 27 - 12:07 pm

  If you are looking for a regular, normal, everyday car that can get you safely from point A to point B, then look no further. In my opinion the Volkswagen Jetta is the best car in its class. This is not a sports car, this is not a BMW or Audi, so dont expect this car to pull out miracles. This is a regular "economy" sedan and it is probably the best compared to its other competitors (ford, chevy, Honda etc.). I have many reasons why I state this. First of all the car extremely reliable. It is probably the most reliable car I owned, and I own a lot of cars (BMWs, Fords, Audis and other VWs). I "trust" my Jetta more than any other cars I have. I use it almost everyday in any season, and I never (literally never) had any problems with it. Of course I do a regular 10k service, but thats it...nothing else. Compared to my BMW for example which is a "hassle" to own (I still enjoy it though, it is really the Ultimate Driving Machine). I find the Jetta comfortable enough, and fast enough for every occasion. I traveled the whole country north to south and west to east with my Jetta without a single problem. It is also great on your pocket (you wont feel the money you spend on gas)... Overall I recommend the Jetta to everyone who likes a reliable , economical and good looking sedan at the right price... If you are looking for a sports sedan, with 300+ horsepower and 4.0 + engine size with terrible fuel economy then the Jetta is not for you.....In that case open your wallet wide and go to another dealership (BMW, Audi etc.)...but dont blame VW

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  Best car in its class!! - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nikola Karev - September 27 - 12:07 pm

  If you are looking for a regular, normal, everyday car that can get you safely from point A to point B, then look no further. In my opinion the Volkswagen Jetta is the best car in its class. This is not a sports car, this is not a BMW or Audi, so dont expect this car to pull out miracles. This is a regular "economy" sedan and it is probably the best compared to its other competitors (ford, chevy, Honda etc.). I have many reasons why I state this. First of all the car extremely reliable. It is probably the most reliable car I owned, and I own a lot of cars (BMWs, Fords, Audis and other VWs). I "trust" my Jetta more than any other cars I have. I use it almost everyday in any season, and I never (literally never) had any problems with it. Of course I do a regular 10k service, but thats it...nothing else. Compared to my BMW for example which is a "hassle" to own (I still enjoy it though, it is really the Ultimate Driving Machine). I find the Jetta comfortable enough, and fast enough for every occasion. I traveled the whole country north to south and west to east with my Jetta without a single problem. It is also great on your pocket (you wont feel the money you spend on gas)... Overall I recommend the Jetta to everyone who likes a reliable , economical and good looking sedan at the right price... If you are looking for a sports sedan, with 300+ horsepower and 4.0 + engine size with terrible fuel economy then the Jetta is not for you.....In that case open your wallet wide and go to another dealership (BMW, Audi etc.)...but dont blame VW

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  My best car yet - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dab - September 26 - 10:00 am

  My 05 TDI has 112000 miles. I purchased it new. It gets up to 60 mpg but averages 45 mpg. Im 6, 250 and find it very comfortable and fun to drive. Maintenance is expensive but I never had any major problems. I also had a 04 Passat TDI but only got 30-32 mpg. Would love to have another Jetta TDI like mine.

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  First VW!! Awesome Car - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By cbar71 - September 24 - 1:25 am

  Toyota convert and love the fun, features, and value this car brings. Feels like a really high end vehicle. Well planned interior, smooth and quiet ride. Great value for the SE package.

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  Very Satisfied Owner - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By WCM - September 23 - 7:03 pm

  I am very pleased with the comfort and cabin space. Handling is very good for a sedan; it has handled snow and ice well. Controls are well designed and thoughtfully placed. Fuel consumption is about what I expected. My Value Edition has the necessary safety features. The electronic key and parking brake are nice "impress the neighbors" items. Its acceleration is very good for its size and weight. The transmission sometimes is not as reponsive (i.e., start from stop moving rapidly to reach highway speed on uphill grades) as I would wish . Climate control is very satisfactory. The truck is large. Overall I am very happy with this car. It is fun to drive.

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  Save $10,000 over a Volvo - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By flheat - September 23 - 6:43 pm

  When I orginally was looking for a new car, I also considered the Volvo C70. This car drives so much better, the interior is more luxurious (very much like the Audi A4 cabriolet I traded in). My Eos is equipped the same as the Volvo is about $10,000 less. The design of the car continues to amaze me, from the sunroof, to the gymnasics the roof performs when it goes up and down. I got a manual and I think it pairs up better with the engine than the DSG.

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  Its great ... - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ky - September 22 - 11:03 am

  This car is the perfect car for a teenage in high school or college. My parents bought me one last October, and it has worked great for me. I went fromm a 2001 4Runner to this and it is much easier to drive. I would recommend this car to any parent thinking about buying a car for their child. Even my guy friends think it is one of the best drives they have ever driven when they get behind the wheel. The only think they are againt is the color i picked... mellow yellow, but i love it and thats all that matters right. My neighbors loved the car so much they went out and bought the exact same one color and everything. Overall its a great car.

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  Review - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By DDP - September 22 - 2:00 am

  A great car which is super reliable. The styling is a little plain but and outdated. The VR6 engine is great though a little more power could be needed. But, a great car overall.

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  FUN DRIVING IN THE WIND - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By TERRY MEYERS - September 22 - 2:00 am

  VERY SMOOTH RIDING AND SHIFTING . WE HAD A 2001 BEETLE AND THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. IT IS A FUN CAR TO DRIVE AND HAS A LOT OF PEP. WE HAVE A 1.8 TURBO CONVERTIBLE. THIS IS A CLASS CAR VW YOU HAVE COME BACK.

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  There is a reason I named her Nyx... - 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By fieryimpassion - September 21 - 5:12 pm

  I live in 4 seasons country and I have now converted to 4motion as a way of life. Driving to work everyday on poorly plowed roads allows me to do circles around other SUVs and I pushed my car hard to get to work on time and have yet to spin out. I am not a professional driver but I have driven a lot across the country many times and my car has yet to fail, sputter, or slight in any form of performance. She takes what gets thrown at her with a determined grin. The turbo-charged engine makes easy work of green lights and passing cars on the freeway. Mileage has been about 24/25mpg steadily and I have yet to have a major repair going on 1.5 years/ 11000+ miles. Miles are too easy.