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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  A Slice of Heaven in every Ride - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ireland3 - June 22 - 9:50 pm

  I purchased the yellow SE in July and have been driving it everyday just smiling. The handling is great,and the seats are comfortable. I just love all the fun it is to simply go anywhere now in my new "Sunflower Yellow" bug. Gets tons of compliments and fits in the smallest spots. I updated mine with "daisy" steering wheel covers, flower vase, license plate, and seat covers for an even cuter look.

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  Best car for the money dollar per dollar - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Virgil - June 22 - 8:43 pm

  The cars is 200HP and you feel it. Paradise for tall people, more leg room than an E class Mercedes. At high speed in the highway you notice why European and Japaneses are different. Well built and fun to drive, very reasonable fuel consumption. No problems whatsoever in 13,500 miles. A lot of car for the money and safety features are important to me. This VW is designed to go over 100 MPH on the Germans "autobahn" and engineering is superb. Im extremely happy with the purchase of my Passat. The human bean is the most perfect machine in the world and sometimes fail. What the people expect of a car? In live luck counts for all. Wishing you good luck on your new Passatt as I had.

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  A pretty good car so far.. - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Roger2Texas - June 21 - 7:26 pm

  Purchased this 07 Jetta 2.5L 5cyl 2 yrs ago brand new, has been a very good car, handles great on highway. Have had to replace the gas tank door on warranty. The bad thing is I have to buy the Catrol full synthetic oil at AutoZone along with filter for local mechanic to change the oil. Love the 10k mile oil change intervals. This car has been A++ excellent compared to our old 2003 Passat which was a nightmare (since assembled in Germany, compared to the Passat in Mexico). Car is very sporty & sometimes catches peoples eye.

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  Mega Bang for Buck - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By KC SLY - June 21 - 6:10 pm

  The car is loaded with stock features. Options for once are just for personalization instead of need (traction contral, integrated turn signals in the mirrors,t elescopic wheel). I am 6 2" and fit in the front and in the back. My other car is a Mercedes as is my girlfriends, and we both are amazed at what we got for the money.

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  02 GTI 1.8T - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By billybob - June 21 - 10:00 am

  The GTI comes standard with everything you need, although I got mine with the optional leather package and 17 in. wheels. I love the interior, especially the blue/red instrumentation. The GTI is also a bit of a sleeper, which I like. It seems that most drivers dont know about the GTI, and dont expect it to be as fast as it is. I must say that I love the whistling/whooshing sound of the turbo. The 1.8T is a great engine.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Guru - June 21 - 10:00 am

  Plain and simple, I have never owned a better more reliable car. I drive the car a little on the hard side, and I still get over 30 miles to the gallon. I am over 6 feet tall, and I ride everywhere in comfort. This is a very comfortable highway cruiser (easily gobbles ground at 90+ mph) and sporty city commuter. I will never own another non-European car again.

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  excellent car - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Lothar - June 21 - 10:00 am

  Not one problem to date!

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  best sedan for the money - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By l Baum - June 21 - 10:00 am

  Super quiet and smooth car! Excellent handling. Neat Tiptronic trans.!

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  Jetta GLX - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rjparen - June 21 - 10:00 am

  I cant say enough about the VW Jetta. My car is equipt with the sports suspension and the 5 speed. I forgot how much fun driving could be. The car handles as a car priced in the mid $30s. For a sport suspension the ride is not rude but you do feel the road. Anything lost in the ride catagory is more than made up in the handling. The interior is laid out wounderfully if you like a driver orientaded car. Materials are first rate for the compact class then some. Makes the back roads to work worth the extra time.

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  Bought it 2 days ago - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Curl - June 21 - 10:00 am

  Love this car. Great performer. The dealer was excellent and easy to work with.