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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  Great SUV - 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By joefrank64k - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I was looking to downsize from my Audi Q7, but I really grew to dislike the MMI interface for the radio/nav, so that ruled out the Q5 as well as the BMW X3, with its similar iDrive interface. I saw the Tiguan at the LA Auto Show last year and really liked the interior, both the layout and touchscreen nav. I had heard that the 2011 was going to have some updated features so I waited, and I am so glad that I did! I love this SUV...roomy, quiet, great tech thats so much easier to use than the Q7, the interior build quality is easily on-par with Audi.

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  Great Rabbit... Cant wait for the 2008! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By jm - August 7 - 6:00 pm

  I test drove all of the subcompacts that are available. I test drove them all, and came down to the conclusion that I would rather have an inexpensive car with a 6 (not 4) speed transmission, an upscale interior, a more powerful engine that can actually pass on the highway, more interior space, more comfortable seats, and better handling. This car is also much, much safer than the other competitors, especially with all of the massive SUVs out there now. We have had absolutely no problems with this car after almost 5000 miles! I would definitely buy another! My wife likes mine so much that she is going to take mine and I am going to trade in her 2005 civic for a 2008 rabbit 4dr automatic.

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  Absolutely amazing car for $250/mo w/ no money dwn - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Balki Bartakamoos - August 7 - 10:47 am

  The more I drive it, the more I like it. The overall design of all of its functions was very well thought out. Its not a sports car with a ton of boost, but be in the right gear and its plenty quick, handles great, is comfy with plenty of storage, great electronics connectivity and controls with apple software support, and a very quiet interior 2x better than any car in its price range. Its really like theyre giving them away. I cant possibly imagine a better car for the price. I feel bad for the people paying all that extra money for the GLI as theres no way its that much better than the sport and for many thousand dollars more, I highly doubt it even compares once a month when you have to make the payment. Maybe Im just bias coming from a soul crushing ford focus, but I also have a racecar and this thing is a great time for a daily driver.

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  Absolutely amazing car for $250/mo w/ no money dwn - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Balki Bartakamoos - August 7 - 10:47 am

  The more I drive it, the more I like it. The overall design of all of its functions was very well thought out. Its not a sports car with a ton of boost, but be in the right gear and its plenty quick, handles great, is comfy with plenty of storage, great electronics connectivity and controls with apple software support, and a very quiet interior 2x better than any car in its price range. Its really like theyre giving them away. I cant possibly imagine a better car for the price. I feel bad for the people paying all that extra money for the GLI as theres no way its that much better than the sport and for many thousand dollars more, I highly doubt it even compares once a month when you have to make the payment. Maybe Im just bias coming from a soul crushing ford focus, but I also have a racecar and this thing is a great time for a daily driver.

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  Love it - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Lehnman - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I love everything. It is built very well and flies. I like the smoothness of the manual. It seems like there is always more than enough power. One thing is there is a rattle on the inside and I hate rattles. Back right side.

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  Better that Cayenne, $20K less - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Ptorl - August 4 - 2:00 am

  The Touareg with a Premium Plus Package (PPS) has a much nicer interior than the Porsche Cayenne. The air suspension allows for a very comfortable ride over frost heaved Midwest roads. A similarly priced Cayenne S was a very harsh ride (did not have air suspension)and did not have the luxury or features of the Touareg. Very pleased with the vehicle. Had to wait 2 months for delivery, as the factory made very few with Black exterior and Anthracite interior.

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  Great car! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By a.m.k. - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I test drove so many cars before the Passat and was immediately sold. I love everything about this car, and am so happy with my purchase. I love to drive this car and have found nothing negetive about it. I have and will strongly reccomed it to anyone I know shopping for a car.

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  Awesome CUV! Cant find a better match! - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Dat - August 3 - 11:10 am

  Gotta write a review for this one. This car has a very nice firm ride, sporty look inside out. I love that big 13 cu. in. moonroof, gotta have it. It makes the car more open, airy, and relax while cruising. The 18 in. wheels are hot. Nice xenon headlights; it uses the same xenon lights as DRL (daytime running light). Quiet interior. Feel roomy inside with well designed spaces. It actually about 1 foot shorter in length than a 09 Honda Accord coupe, surprising!? Engine power is adequate; wish that it came with DSG transmission; and eventually TDI engine? Bluetooth is standard on 2010 models, but not 09! :( Dynaudio system w/ 600 watt upgraded for the 2010 models w/ 2 extra speakers.

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  3 months and still drooling.... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By swconlinefl - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Got to love the latest Passat! Luckily they have fixed most of the minor annoyances in the earlier runs (98- 01). The cup holders are great, finally. The boost in horsepower makes a great difference in traffic. My only beef is the autistic Monsoon Stereo that seems to have a mind all its own. Overall I love this car even more than the day I drove it off the lot. I test drove the new Camry and Altima which felt bland and cheap in comparison. Overall I love this car even more than the day I drove it off the lot. Happy driving...

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  hsssssssssss - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lovin the vdub - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I love the car. Upset that the 2001 has only 155 hp and the 2002 has 185, but these things can be fixed. Easy to work with and one of the best manual cars I have driven. I put about 20,000 miles on my car a year for work and I have never been uncomfortable for a second. Nothing like the feeling of driving in 6 inches of snow and not having to worry about the ABS or traction control not working. I was passing most of the all wheel drive vehicles.