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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  Man It Is Cool! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By lummer - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I had the Audi A6 2.7T before this & its like drin=ving the 6 on steroids.

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  german is better - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By onethuglif - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I used to drive a japanese car, i thought it couldnt get anybetter, but as soon as i stepped into this thing i was just wowed. All my friends now want to trade in their cars for something german.

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  vw - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By "J R" - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Fine auto, great mileage and more power than expected in a Diesel

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  04 beetle convertible - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By realtoratthelake - July 31 - 10:00 am

  not bad!! i couldve gotten a 911 carrera but i thought this would get better gas mileage and be almost as fun. Good solid car. no complaints.

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  Better than expected - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MAJikMARCer - July 31 - 1:33 am

  This is my third VW and my second GLI and it has not disappointed. I love the car and even the bright yellow color (though it wasnt my first choice). One of the other reviewers (a fellow Nebraskan) had trouble in the snow. I have not. I bought snow tires for the winter and didnt have any trouble at all. The DSG transmission would get stuck when first starting out in very cold temperatures, but otherwise no mechanical problems at all.

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  Great design; hopefully reliable too - 2011 Volkswagen Golf
  By JY - July 30 - 9:56 pm

  Its a delight to drive this vehicle. Nimble yet smooth and quiet (on par with our 07 BMW 3-series except accel). Very comfortable and beautiful cabin. Not quite as sporty as our MINI Cooper S, but much more pleasant. We also tested Accord, Fit, Fusion, Jetta, Impreza. Each has merits but cant equal Golfs nimbleness, road manners, cabin quality. Gorgeous cloth seats nicer than Jettas leatherette. Turbo lag starting from stop. Electric steering maybe a hair less responsive than 09 Golf? Neither bothersome, tho. Unlike reports from years past, a/c easily tamed 99-degree heat. Its day 2 so cant report reliability (fingers crossed) and fuel economy. Confident about resale value, tho.

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  The Wait is Finaly Over! Gotcha! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Kqwen Plasencia - July 30 - 6:30 pm

  I remember the earlier GTI Rabbit and dreamed of its return. I went from an 02 Golf GLS to an 05 Jetta GLS (prior to march 05) waiting for more horsepower at an affordable price. I was able to opt out of my current lease and purchase the 2007 Rabbit. The car handles like a dream. It pounces on command, zips when needed and delivers a smooth transition into cruise control, an upgrade in my eyes.

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  Best Car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By STEVE C - July 30 - 4:13 pm

  My Jetta GLI is the best car Ive ever owned! Its super fast, comfort, luxury, and style all rolled up into one. The turbo is awesome and overall it has quite a ride! Keep up the good work VW!

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  Sporty cruiser for the family - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By groovyvwroutan - July 30 - 3:33 pm

  We have owned our SEL for 2 years. Totally satisfied with this spirted and practical vehicle. VW no cost service is excellent and makes the experience of owning a Routan easy. We have had zero out of pocket except gas. We will go back in a few years and get another VW. Leather is nice.

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Danburry - July 29 - 8:50 pm

  I bought this car new. I have loved every minute of it. The stereo is great! Overall It is a great car. So fun to drive in twisty roads. 6 speed manual makes all the difference.