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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  German Engineering at Japanese Pricing - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By skyhawk182 - June 5 - 8:03 am

  Admittedly have only driven the car 6K miles, but must say, am more than pleased. Well thought out with ever so many clever features that make car seem like it knows you. Sweetest engine Ive driven - excellent power due to great low end torgue via turbo charger. Rides like on rails, yet seems like larger luxury ride. One needs to keep an eye on options (can escalate pricing rapidly) and bargain aggressively - with that in mind, pricing is quite attractive and competitive.

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  Excellent 30-something Family Car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By FrankieO - June 4 - 11:36 pm

  I had my reservations about owning a -. family car. Being a "young" man I wanted something with style and get up and go. WOW was I ever surprised! I cannot say enough about this car. Its stylish, fun to drive, has all the bells and whistles and safety features, and the mechanical soundness of German technology.

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  2010 Golf TDI 4-dr - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By Cincwoody - June 3 - 8:20 pm

  We sold our 2001 Golf TDI last fall when we moved to Europe, and opted to buy a 2010 Golf TDI this spring. It truly is an amazing car that delivers comfort, autobahn speed and efficiency in a very nice, well built package. The Edmunds.com review is spot-on in its evaluations. With only 2000 miles on the odometer our Golf VI TDI is getting 35+ mpg in mostly urban driving, and 40-45 mpg in highway driving at European speeds between 75 and 100 mph. Our Golf is a four door with the DSG manual-automatic transmission and the heating package and Bluetooth. Tons more fun to drive than a hybrid with comparable fuel economy. Superb car!

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  I love this car - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VR6-inside - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Well this is my second MKIII jetta. My last one was a GL and now i upgraded to a GLX. I love this car. It is so fun to drive. The VR6 is a great motor. I added intake and a preformance chip.... the car feels even better! Stock sound system is nice too.

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  Much bettern than Turbo - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By mike kawasaki - June 3 - 2:00 am

  The 2.8L engine revs up excellent in every gear. Had a test drive both Turbo and VR6, and I liked VR6 better because 6 manual shift was excacly cutting the butter feels.

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  Pleasure to Drive - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Satisfied in Sumner - June 3 - 2:00 am

  This platform of the Passat is based on the Audi A4 and utilizes the same Audi 1.8L T engine and 4-link suspension. The engine has great low end torque and top end speed. Matched to the 5-speed manual provides a great touring car. The fit-and-finish are typical German high-quality. Bought used w/ less than 16K miles in 2001 and have had zero problems (now at 34K miles). Great MPG for a high performance car (Note to Big 3: It can be done!). Comfortable front leather seats and interior. Monsoon Sound system is also a plus.

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  Awesome car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JARNO1 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  The TDI is an impressive car, it has more than adequate pickup for around town, and cruises effortlessly on the highway. What other car can you spin the tires in and at the same time get 53 miles per gallon on long trips. The build quality is very high, and VW has one of the best interiors ever made in this car.

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  I LOVE MY JETTA - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Robg - June 3 - 2:00 am

  For a 4 cylinder its got some pep, but I wish I had splurged, because I know the 1.8 has some kick. But I love my Jetta, and wouldnt trade it for the world. The leather/cold weather(heated seats...) package are worth the price of the car altogether, not to mention the reliability. All of our friends are jealous even a year later. Those Germans know what they are doing.

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  the best - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Bobw - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I love this car!!! I almost bought an Avalon and Im glad I didnt. Its got plenty of power, and enough leather to kill a PETA member!

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  Awsome! - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By hybrid killer - June 2 - 10:40 pm

  This car is awesome. Its fun to drive and reliable. This is the best economy car I have ever driven.