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:

• 

  The 20th AE GTI - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Janos - June 24 - 11:06 pm

  This car is style, fun, power, practicality all in one. Very happy with the purchase, it is a head above the standard GTI. Great engine - very tuner friendly. Love the torque. You get all sorts of aftermarket pieces stock on this car. A great value.

• 

  Volkswagen vs. Ferrari - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By WOZ - June 24 - 11:26 am

  I had a truly amazing experience with the VW Touareg. I own two Ferrari 360 Spyders and I still love my Touaregs performance and comfort. I am a huge off-roader and the Touareg handles like a soft carpet throughout the toughest of terrains (e.g. Swiss Alps Ugust 2005). However, I also love to race on tracks and I raced a Toureg against its "cousin", the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and I ended up winning topping out over 175 mph.

• 

  forgot the passengers - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By comfort? - June 21 - 2:00 am

  This is the most uncomfortable drivers seat I ever sat in. 1 hour driving and my legs are sore. The seat is too narrow and the side humps are too high. Half my leg is on the flat part of the seat and the other half is on the hump. Very uncomforatble. Also, when turning the side of the seat collapses. The seat does not keep the hips motionless in a turn. The range of tilt and telescopic wheel is poor. The gas and brake pedals are too far into the passenger compartment so when I move the seat back to make room for my legs I have to stretch to reach the steering wheel.

• 

  Good for crashes - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By johnnyonspot - June 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 4dr Golf TDI last October 2002. I loved it. Yes, past tense. I was recently in an accident and it was totalled, but I received only a few bumps and bruises. My one complaint is that the mileage was only about 40-42 mpg, not to quibble or anything.

• 

  Not bad,but......... - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By cdks7of9 - June 21 - 2:00 am

  I love it. Great look, wonderful ride.

• 

  GLX Wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By nuffsaid - June 21 - 2:00 am

  We were going to purchase another Volvo wagon but liked the Passat better. Handling, turning radius, fit and finish are superior. Just hope that it is as reliable as our Volvo. So far, having some electrical gremlins but nothing major. MPG could be better, especially using premium gas. I would recommend anyone buying a car to go to FightingChance.com and use the fax attack method. I got my car for $199 over invoice and it was a breeze.

• 

  Be Ready to MAke Repairs - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By van w. - June 20 - 2:36 pm

  The 2006 VW Paassat costs too much to keep up. The engine-related problems thhat mine has experienced include oil pump replacement at 84,781 miles ($995.00), instrment panel warning lites, throttle body malfunction, engine coolant temp. sensor replacement, a tie rod end, dealer front end aligment ($120), and replacement of the brake hydraulic unit. All repairs were made within 40,000 miles. The emmission controls problomatic.

• 

  AWESOME CAR! - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By doc5339 - June 20 - 8:59 am

  I never really liked Volkswagens, but I have really fallen in love with this car. I purchased the Golf with over 150,000 miles on it, and have no issues, other than scheduled maintenance and wear and tear replacement parts. Had to replace the Glow Plug Wiring Harness because it was throwing Codes. The car has over 215,000 miles on it now, and still gets 43 MPG average, 46+ highway; probably will get 50 MPG if you can force yourself to drive the speed limit on the highway. Why buy a hybrid, when the batteries will fail when this TDI engine is just hitting its peak? Unless you drive 100% city, stay away from hybrids, TDI is the route to go for great fuel economy and long-term durability.

• 

  Touareg V6 - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Luigi - June 20 - 4:56 am

  I have enjoyed the handling and comfortable feel of this truck, especially on bumpy roads. It is firm and solidly built. The driveshaft gave up at 17,056 miles of smooth highway driving though.

• 

  Very disappointed - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Elise - June 19 - 8:33 pm

  My 2005 Jetta has 87000 miles, is serviced regularly, but now I have to get a new car. The timing chain, gears, spark plugs, and coil pack supposedly all went out last week and to fix it would be $3700 according to the dealership. While I have loved the design and the drive, it just isnt worth it. The worst part is they only offered me $1500 for a trade in. Why would I want another VW if that is all they think it is worth? Ill be getting a Toyota this weekend.