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:

• 

  So much car for the money - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Scott - July 13 - 8:36 am

  I have a Wolfsburg edition and it is so much car for the money. For 22K, you get a sunroof, leatherette, heated seats, premium audio, satellite radio, aux input, 17" alloy wheels, and a 200 hp 2.0T engine. No other car has all these options and powerful engine for anywhere near this price. This car is really really fun to drive! Ive put 5,000 miles on it in the 2 months Ive had it.

• 

  My CC - 2014 Volkswagen CC
  By richardca - July 12 - 1:33 pm

  I enjoy this car and the features, moved up from a 2012 Passat, the extra 30 hp. certainly helps and the MPG is nearly the same. The 2 tone interior looks great and is very comfortable. Feels like a luxury car and drives like one. Nav. system is a plus.

• 

  07 Passat - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Wisconsin Driver - July 12 - 5:33 am

  So far we have had this car for about 4 months. My wife absolutely loves her car, she feels it is easy to drive and the most comfortable we have ever owned. I like the sporty feel (when she lets me drive it), and it never lacks for power. If you are looking for a new family car check out the new Passat, you will not be disappointed.

• 

  Word - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bmac - July 11 - 10:00 am

  haha a great car

• 

  Happiness = Golf TDI - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By TDI_BUFF - July 11 - 10:00 am

  I just picked up my new TDI yesterday in Las Vegas and drove home to Salt Lake City with a smile plastered on my face the whole way. I chose the GL model and sacrificed the sunroof and alloy wheels on the GLS, but it was well worth the $2000 savings, in my opinion. I decided on the Golf because of the many safety features and other standard equipment not available on other cars in $17,000 price range - Civic, Altima, PT Cruiser, Legacy, etc. The mileage with the TDI is icing on the cake!

• 

  Cant beat the German engineering - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Aerospace Gerry - July 11 - 10:00 am

  This car now has about 35000 miles on it, and there isnt a single squeek, rattle, or annoying vibration sound to be heard anywhere. A rock solid machine, in the finest German tradition. The 1.8T rocks and yet gives me like 29 MPG while doing freeway speeds of 70+ MPH. The clutch has a nice full "throw" to it, and the braking is excellent. Only design flaw I can find is that the drink holder is hard to move to the closed position after its been opened. And more importantly, it covers the opened ashtray when deployed. This makes it difficult to plug in my cell phone recharger into the lighter receptacle. Big Ger...the Aerospace Guy

• 

  AWESOME - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By MELLISSA - July 11 - 10:00 am

  GREAT VEHICLE, I WILL BUY NOTHING BUT VW AUTOMOBILES AFTER MY RECENT ACCIDENT. THE SAFETY FEATURES ARE BEYOND AWESOME, MY NEW BEETLE SAVED MY LIFE!!!!!!

• 

  Makes me smile - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By mobigman - July 11 - 10:00 am

  This is the only car ive ever owned that just brings a smile to my face each time I drive it. Im a large person, and I REALLY APPRECIATE the interior room. I love the design and the sportiness.

• 

  Excellent Car - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Chris - July 10 - 10:36 pm

  This is a great vehicle. I looked at it for a year, didnt like the looks of the 2006 so purchased the 2005. I am stationed in Germany so I get to drive this US spec car on the autobahn, which is lots of fun. With 4 adults in it, I cruise at 140 KPH and get great fuel economy. You cant beat it. My car has had no defects, and has a solid build.

• 

  Buy or Youll Regret - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Marcellus - July 8 - 5:31 pm

  This is the 5th car that Ive purchased and its by far the best! I think that the price should be higher especially for everything you get. Literally,the only thing that could make it better is a 10 yr/100k warranty.