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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  Simply the Best - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By marek - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Great car to drive on the Dallas Texas interstate. Easy and fun to drive and loads of safety features.

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  More than my moneys worth - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jasonf - January 10 - 10:00 am

  As a long-time truck driver the size of the wagon has taken getting some use to. I have now learned that bigger is not better! The Passat Wagon is fun to drive, safer than my trucks and all-in-all a very good value. Despite the age of the line I believe this vehicle to be one of the best looking wagons on the road. I actually feel I got more than what I paid for with the luxury, looks and performance the Passat provides.

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  The best cars - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By patrick miller - January 10 - 10:00 am

  this is my secound vw, i love the cars. i have zero problems with mine. they are a lot of fun to drive and to have.

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  johns tdi - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By carolinaherdfan - January 10 - 10:00 am

  have driven across the usa, been in snow hip high in the tetons. not one disappointment through nearly 42000 miles.

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  What a car - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jettagli2004 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Wow this car rocks! Its loaded with everything a car enthusiast might have thought to change on a production car: theres nothing left to change! The RECARO seats are as good looking as comfortable, the 18 ins BBS stick to the road and the 1.8T is a great compromise between MPG on highway and performance when you need it. It makes heads turn more than the eclipse GT I traded-in!

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  To good to be true - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ritz - January 10 - 10:00 am

  As soon as I sat in that car it felt like home. The comfort in the drivers seat was perfect , I could see everywhere ,I felt as though I had perfect control of the car , everything was so handy for me that I couldnt believe it. Handles great, pick up is there when you need it, and Ive only got the 4 cylinder automatic.To make a long story short, for me , this car has everything.

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  I love my SWEETPEA! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lauraASU - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I just got my cyber green beetle about a month ago and it is the best car ever! This car is so smooth to ride in and has so many great features. It truly is like a luxury vehicle. I got the cream cloth interior but I would get leather if I could afford it. Beautiful car, this is my first car but I have driven many others especially SUVs. Nothing compares to a VOLKSWAGEN!

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  i love my beetle!!! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dradie - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love this car!

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  lotsa fun - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ligtman - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I havent had this much fun in a car since I was a teenager! Its well built and catches the eye of everyone you pass.

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  LOVE IT FOR THREE YEARS - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By galiti - January 10 - 9:15 am

  Excellent car for one or five passengers! Quiet, comfortable, reliable and safe. Good traction.