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 car - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ch0ppersrule - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Our car ran awesome, nice and quiet until the recall item was replaced. Now you can definately tell it is a deisel, but the car still runs great. Love the mileage 42-43 in town and 49- 52 on the highway. This is of course a manual TDI. Lots of room, more than you would think looking at it.

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  EVERYONE SHOULD OWN A VOLKSWAGEN - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By babyblue - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I JUST SWITCHED FROM A CIVIC TO A JETTA AND I THINK ITS THE BEST THING IVE EVER DONE. THE JETTA IS SUCH A FUN CAR TO DRIVE AND LOOKS GREAT. YOU GET A LOT FOR YOUR MONEY AND FINALLY I CAN GET THROUGH TRAFFIC WITHOUT A PROBLEM.

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  Ms. Jetta Turbo - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By PrincessKitty - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Ilove my new car! It was the best choice I have made. The rid is awsome! Everyon compliments me on how cute, but perfessional looking it is. The price was right, too! I am proud to be a VW Jetta owner!

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  Changed My Mind - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Heather - August 3 - 1:20 am

  When I first purchased this car it was just a car to get from point A to B. Now that Ive had it over 4 months I absolutely LOVE this car. After learning how to drive with the S and shifters it is the most fun vehicle I have ever owned. Oil change ran 60 bucks at the dealer. Seems very maintenance friendly. MPG about 25 city driving. Im not a lead foot so I think it is pretty reasonable. The only thing lacking is that I originally wanted a hatchback to haul stuff. I dont have the storage space I need, but after all it is a sedan. If you are in the market for a sedan definitely check this one out! I wasnt looking for this car it kinda found me. Overall very pleased.

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  Brakes Need Work - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CJ - August 1 - 7:20 am

  As I read through the reviews, I agree with the brake issue. I had to replace my rear left brake system completely at about 10K miles. The rear caliber seized and wore down my pads and bent the rotors. I am now close to 18K and having another brake issue. I have had 2 other cars of which I put well over 100K each and did not run into this problem. If it were not for this problem, I would say the car is great. Awesome handling and great pickup. Very comfortable on long road trips. Just fix the brake issue!

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  I Love This Car! - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By Cindy - July 31 - 10:16 pm

  I traded in my 2001 Cabrio for this car and oh boy am I in love! This car handles like a dream. It is the most responsive car I have ever driven and Ive driven some great cars. If you want to drive a great car, with great gas mileage and still have a ball doing it this is the car for you!

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  This car kicks! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By VeeDubs Forever - July 31 - 3:03 pm

  Bought this car, a 2007 leftover, off the showroom floor. I fell in love with it the minute I drove it, and it just keeps getting better and better. When I see it from the outside I cant believe how small it looks - the interior is so roomy and comfortable. This is THE perfect city car. I drive less than 5 miles roundtrip each weekday, then take to the highway on the weekends. The Rabbit is zippy and such fun to drive either way. I love the safety features and the versatility. This is my second VW (2000 Jetta) but my first hatchback and I am utterly amazed by what will fit in this car. But what excites me the most are the high-end features like the wheels, the sunroof,and the heated seats.

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  GTI brothers live again!!!!! - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Gti Brother 1 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Fastest HOT hatch on the market. R32 is king but my vr6 gti gives me all the pleasure and performance i need. p.s. Great Aftermarket for this car so i will make this car a total BEAST!!!!!

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  Drive it. Youll get it. - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By turboidiot - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Volkswagen is right with that one. I test-drove the 1.8T after I took out a Mazda 3 5-door from the same lot... there is no comparison. It feels like you are one with the road, handles great, and there is a lot of power inside. Sometimes, the thought of the drive home is the only thing that gets me through 12 hour days waiting tables!

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  Touareg 04 - An Excellent Buy - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By MJLAZ04 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is a great Mid SUV with plenty of power (stick to the V8). You will not be diapointed. It drives like a sportscar with the features of an SUV. Most of the standard features you will never use but you get a sense of security that they are there. See suggested improvements for my concerns.