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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  passat glx v6 - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By gypman - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is really fun and easyto drive, and comfortable, too. I love adjustable seats. I handles beautifully and climbs hills effortlessly.

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  Mileage & Fender Problems: READ THIS - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mike Kurry - June 27 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I love this car but have two major complaints: 1. The mileage is 14 city / 22 highway - weve spoken to Boston VW about this - they say nothing can be done. Given that VW still adverstises 19/26, we feel deceived. 2. The rear fender is terrible. It dents at the slightest contact, like cheap plastic with the paint coming off. Look at the fender of a VW on the street.

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  VW disappointment - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By rpauley - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought a loaded GLX TDI with all options. Creaked and groaned when first driven off the lot. Told it would go away. Windshield defective has a coating on the inside that cant be cleaned off. 3rd heater motor, window quit. Rattles and thumps are embarassing told I was acutely sensitive by service mgr. Velcro lint catcher interior discusting.

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  good to go... - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By dmbbravo - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Although I have always owned and driven trucks and sport uts, I really enjoy this car. It handles really well and the comfort and security is best of all. Iwould recomend this car to any one friend or foe.

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  The Best car Ever!!! VWs Rule!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By slvrglf78 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive always been a VW owner, Ive gone from the Golf to the cabrio, and I love it. Everyday I like it more and more. Ive never had problems with nothing peeling, no noise, just a smooth fun ride. For those that want power, and expect power from a Cabrio, take a suggestion from me, buy the GTI...thats power...The Cabrio is to chill in not to speed in. If you speed in a cabrio you take the fun out seeing everyone admire your car. its built for looks not for speed!!!!

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  Happy Passat Owner - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Happy Passat Owner - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Test drove Maxima, Accord and other used cars. Passat was best overall- most comfortable, safety features, good performance, excellent engineering. I have 45,000 miles on it and it still drives like new. Very quiet on the highway and smooth around town.

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  Get rid of this thing! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nicht Frohlich - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I actually have a 1999 Jetta GLS that I leased brand new. At first, it was a great car; fun to drive, reliable, and stylish. Now, I just want to get out of my lease as soon as possible. After a year, my drivers side window fell into the door. One month later, the passengers window fell in the door. Luckily Im dating a mechanic that could fix it for 1/2 the price of VW...they wanted over $300 each window! Then the glove compartment snapped, the parking brake knob popped off, the antenna stopped working, the O2 censor stopped working, and some other censor as well. Its aweful in the snow as well! Im very dissapointed in VW.

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  This car is Terrible - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By None - June 27 - 2:00 am

  If you want an electrical Nightmare buy this car. It is a total piece of crap. I will never buy a foreign car again. I have never driven this car 60 days in a row. Dont waste your money.

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  Real fun car - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By 1.8T-Fan - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This a stunning car. The performance is phenomenal and roadholding is excellent. I bought it as a second car for my wife. I have an 2002 Audi A4 which is also awesome. The A4 has the same engine in it but the gearing in the Beetle is much better so that it is really a pocket rocket. The best thing is that 4 of us fit in the Beetle just as well as in the A4. Definite buy again.

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  Excellent - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By katall - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Well worth the money (alot of it). Drives beautifully. Everything we were promised.