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:

• 

  Very disappointed!! - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Josue Lopez - July 14 - 11:45 pm

  One of the worst Volkswagens I have ever driven. A car with less than 70k miles had to get a new engines, throttle issues, oil leak issue, and much more. I have never had any issue with other makers such as Toyota and Nissan. I highly do not recommend this vehicle or anything else from VW please do not purchase VW it so unreliable.

• 

  NICE STYLE, POOR SUBSTANCE - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By WP - July 14 - 5:10 am

  this is a nice looking car and at almost 10 years old doesnt look old or have a dated style to it. But it definitely has its share of problems. Most are problems that vw is aware of and has not corrected...oil leaks that fill the cabin with smoke, bad coil packs, oil sludge, check engine malfunctions...and it aint cheap to fix! I tried so hard to buy a Mustang or a Honda for my wife, but she insisted she wanted a Passat...she gets very quiet when we have to take it to the shop every month. You pay too much for that cool style with repair bills...

• 

  Headache - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By KLD - July 14 - 2:00 am

  This car has been one headache after the other since I bought it! The car has been towed three times now and am waiting for the tow truck for a fourth time as I write this (because of ignition coils. The stereo stopped working twice and was a month ago given a new stereo. The car does make a lot of noise when you first start it and let it idle! Not dependable at all. Just LOOKS good.

• 

  Fool me ONCE !!! - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By Kirk Miller - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Apparently I am one of the few individuals that have had trouble with the Golf, but I assure you, it has been nothing but trouble. Although it drives ok and handles about the same, it certainly has its problems. The check engine light always seems to be on and impossible for the VW dealership to fix. Plus, the power window cables keep breaking causing me to take it once again back to the dealership. Grrr What a waste of time and energy. VW certainly fooled me.

• 

  Golf TDI - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By dunas cardunas - July 14 - 2:00 am

  This car has been "Top Notch". I am 6 and 275lbs and bought this car because of comfort. I have logged 21K mostly long trips and have been very pleased with the ride and comfort levels. Plus the TDI has returned an avg fuel economy of 47.5 mpg. Better than I ever expected. Make sure you buy the 5 speed. The auto is a little sluggish, but the manual offers plenty of giddy-up on the highway.

• 

  DO NOT BUY A VW - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Preese - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car for about the first 15K, and then the car started falling apart. I have 60K on it now, and I have already replaced all 4 air sensors and the catalytic converter. The interior lights go out sometimes and then randomly come back on. This car has been to the dealer on 11 occasions for the check engine light, and then they tell me nothing appears to be wrong. The VW customer service people are worthless, the service centers are full of idiots, and the car is completely unreliable. I do not enjoy paying $30K for a car only to be treated like a complete pee on. This is my first and last VW.

• 

  fun to drive - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By rt1739 - July 14 - 2:00 am

  the gas mileage sucks but if what youre looking for is a brilliantly constructed luxury car with a big trunk,room for 4 and a convincing sport- ute visage,vw has done it........

• 

  1st weekend - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By cyberbro_99 - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I had an x5 before this but touareg blows it away, at a much cheaper price!

• 

  Unbeatable Car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By aslan - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Even with the base model so much is included as standard, the only extra I got was the winter package - heated seats, mirrors and washers. Reliable safe and a pleasure to drive. Pleanty of space in the passenger compartment - Im 64" and fit with ease - not something I can say about many bigger cars including SUVs. The 1.8T has never felt underpowered and is very economical. Some lag on the Turbo - but you soon get used to it and it doesnt detract from the drive. Build is solid. Trunk is huge for a car in this class. If I had to do it all over, Id buy exactly the same car.

• 

  Sweet Car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By newvwguy - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Went from an Acura to the VW... No regrets!