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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  Love it! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By jk - May 7 - 2:53 am

  Bought a used Passat 5 months ago. I have already put 15k miles on it. It is so much fun to drive and I love the look of it. Very practical car, they thought of just about everything.

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  Sweet driving car - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By Pepe Guitarez - May 7 - 1:40 am

  Turned in my 2013 diesel TDI SE pursuant to the emissions fraud settlement and bought a gas powered 2017 SE 4cyl. with the proceeds. Sweet riding and driving car. Well put together. If you liked the 2012-2016 Passat you will feel at home with the 2017 model. Not many changes. The gas powered Passat doesnt have the torqued up feel of the diesel version. The engine and transmission dont break speed down hill like the diesel version did. Consequently, I anticipate that it will burn brakes faster than the earlier diesel versions. The standard 4cyl. 1.8 turbo powered engine has plenty of get up and go. However, fuel economy is nowhere close to the earlier diesel versions. Unlike the diesel versions that got great mileage all the time, mileage on the gas powered 2017 Passat tends to run in two modes: low to mid 20s in town and mid to high 30s on the interstate. Not much in between. However, I think 40 mpg is possible on a long trip if the gasoline powered car is driven properly. My diesel TDI routinely got over 50 mpg on long trips. VW decided to reduce the vertical opening of the front door entry way by about 1". That was a terrible mistake. It may make the car look sportier but it makes it more difficult to get in and out of if you are 62" tall or more. People dont buy a Passat to be sporty. No free maintenance program comes with this car. It has a large back-up camera and blind spot warning sensors, etc.. Stereo system, Bluetooth and other electronic app functions work great. Same huge trunk. Heated front seats. AC system and controls have been enhanced. LED lighting package is a worthwhile option. I am basically delighted with my 2017 Passat SE. I hope it will prove to be a versatile and maintenance free car over time.

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  KICK A... VW,VW TUNERS DREAM - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By VW MAN - May 6 - 10:00 am

  MY 11 TH VW.THEY SHOULD GIVE ME THIS ONE FOR FREE!!!GREW UP IN GERMANY. ANYWAY.THE BEST,THE MOST FUN TO DRIVE VW EVER MADE.HANDLING IS A DREAM,STICKS LIKE A GLUE.4 MOTION WORKS GREAT.DID SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO 120 MPH ON PUBLIC ROAD AND JUST WISH THERE WAS AN AUTOBAHN SOMEWHERE NEAR BY. QUALITY SUPERB.WAY TO GO VW!!! DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A COUPE WITH SOME ...s,JAPANESE HAVE TO LEARN A LOT FROM GERMANS.DRIVE THIS ONE AND YOU WILL BE HOOKED LIKE ME. REFLEX SILVER SITTING IN MY GARAGE. SITTING AND LOOKING PREETY!

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  2nd one - 2004 Volkswagen Golf
  By agamitza - May 6 - 10:00 am

  very good car. interior design still very stylish almost 6 yrs after model launched. everything that touches your hand is very good quality. can get good mileage by upshifting below 3000 rpms. just bought a second one for my wife after 5 very good yrs w/ the first one. only problem requiring repeated service was adventitious noise related to air flow valve, changed 3 times in 2 years, but then vw had a recall, and i got all my money back (didnt have the receipts anymore, dealership gave me copies).

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  Passat GLX 2000 - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By aprender2002 - May 6 - 10:00 am

  The Passat GLX is an excellent automobile and mine has given me great service. It is a pleasure to drive under all circumstances. Where I live, the roads are not the greatest, with cobblestone streets in my town. This has resulted in some wrattles in the car which I probably would not have otherwise. Economy is good enough, considering the engine and how I drive. Tiptronic is a great transmission system.

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  Fun Car to Drive Outdated Styling - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gapper - May 6 - 10:00 am

  Love the car the 180 hp engine is a great motor, fun to drive, nice interior, somtimes wonder what is different than the A4 seems the same to me

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  My Baby Girl - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ben Cooper - May 6 - 8:20 am

  Since my husband has purchased my 2007 Jetta, it has been the best experience I have had. This care is the compact and fast. The take off is awesome.I drive to and from work which is about 13 miles. Its the smoothest ride for such a small car. After having it for two years I will trade it in for another VW Passat.

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  Reliable, strong, economical - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tdi10 - May 6 - 12:01 am

  No problems in 36k+ miles. Drives like glued to a road. Great city acceleration or when lights turn green, and pretty good on interstates when downshifted. Mileage depends on the number and frequency of stops: 32-40 in town, 45-52 on secondary roads and close to 50 on interstates. All with dynamic driving. Excellent radio and cell bluetooth integration. Large cargo volume with non-crushing hinges. Quiet engine except for occasional louder turbocharger heard on quiet surfaces.

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  My Sweet New High Mileage Girl - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By wayneq - May 5 - 1:31 am

  After shopping the top-rated mid-sized sedans to transport my growing family and drive on rather long bi-monthly business trips, I settled on the Passat TDI SE. Since my driving does not often take me where there is a lot of stop and go traffic, I opted for the six speed manual transmission. Both times I test drove the car, it made a reverberating impression on my sense of quality and design like no other car in its class could. Its lines are elegant and sublime. It looks and drives like a much more expensive car than it is. Ive had her for less than a month but it feels like a marriage made in heaven so far. (Update to follow)

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  Fahrenheit is Awesome!!! - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Tony Scavo - May 4 - 10:53 pm

  Always wanted a GTI since the MK1 in 1983, finally got one almost 25 years later and I got the special edition. Wahooo, power/Torque is incredible for a 4 cyl turbo hatchback, reliability is perfect (currently have 27,000 miles on it after 10 months of ownership and the only issue i have had is figuring out where Im going to drive next - best car i have ever owned, dead serious. I have driven it through death valley and into the yosemite valley, from Vegas to Denver and even up a dirt mountain driveway ( with snow chains ) and it has never failed me. The exhaust note is great and I added a K&N Intake which makes it sound even better. Suspension is stiff and sporty but pliable for long trips.