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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  Buyer Beware - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By M Zolner - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This car requires a high degree of maintenance. I have had my 2002 Passat into the dealer twice within the past 6 months for engine issues. I have less than 30k miles on the car. I have spoken with 3 other Passat owners and they all have similar stories. I recommend that you buy this car if you have alot of extra money laying around to dump into maintenance fees.

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  Jetta TDI - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By NJV - June 7 - 10:00 am

  The TDI Jetta I purchased is real tight and trouble free in the early going. Fuel mileage on my first highway trip was 52 MPG.

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  Satisfied Jetta Owner - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By John Nelson - June 7 - 8:10 am

  My 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is the best car that Ive ever owned. It gets 42 to 50 mpg and is fun to drive. I have not had any problems yet and do not expect any.

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  Si killer - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Jaycee - June 6 - 7:03 am

  The GTI is a stronger, more comfortable, has a classier interior, and just an all around better car than the Si. Dont believe me? Test drive the Si and GTI back to back and tell me what you think. Everything about the car makes it so special: xenon lamps, original GTI styled seats, responsive clutch, intricate buttons and lights, roomy backseat, 60/40 rear folding seats, 6 cd changer with premium sound (product of Bose), free 3 month satellite radio subscription, mpg counter, miles till refuel counter, rear AC, in dash computer menu, and definitely the large amount of torque. I was also surprised when I received my Fast yesterday in the mail.

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  Nice car, not good on NW roads - 2011 Volkswagen GTI
  By markb9 - June 6 - 6:16 am

  The 2011 GTI is without a doubt a nice car. It performs well, is fun to drive, and the interior is first rate. The only very disappointing aspect of the car is road noise. I dont expect a small sporty car to be super quiet, but this car has a split personality. I test drove it on some smooth highway and, as advertised, is very quiet. The problem with WA State is that a lot of the highway is fairly rough, and when this car hits rough road the interior noise goes up exponentially, it even makes my old Ford Ranger seem quiet. As I said, overall a very nice car, but like most other small cars its not going to be quiet.

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  A Serious 4-Banger! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Hank - June 6 - 3:30 am

  The Passat 2.0T is a blast to drive, particularly when you pass all the gas stations. You get the best of two worlds, economy and performance. I leased a 2001 GLS V6 and a 2004 GLX V 6 before. The 2.0T is MUCH roomier and has much more "git up" than my previous V6s! I cant see any need to go to the new 276 HP V6 in this country. If I had some Autobahns, I would be changing my mind! Get Package 2 and the navigation system. Enjoy!

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  Rabbit - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Knight - June 6 - 3:00 am

  I owned just over a week now and love driving my Rabbit everywhere. I drove a variety of cars before I bought this one and I am very happy. I have a wide back and the seats fit excellent for that. The power decline is great, and love the sunroof. Also came with heated seats and windshield washer nozzles which will be great for Minnesota winters. Traction control for 2008 is an option and I read 2009 will be a standard in all VWs. The manual transmission will not be available for 4 door next year. I am very happy with my new car and will drive it for many years. Thank you.

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  VW R32 Reviewed by owner - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By ilya - June 5 - 7:16 pm

  Overall very good reliable car, no problems whatsoever. Very fun to drive and difficult to put on cruise control, because of the urge to step on the gas!! I like this car a lot and unfortunately will have to sell it because of a need for 4 doors.

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  Update to Hope it lasts forever! - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By VW4Life - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Well, were headed towards 2011, and my trusty Passat now has 138,000 miles. This car STILL drives like the day I bought it over ten years and 100,000 miles ago. Im bored and want something newer, as the plastic trim pieces are falling off and the door handles / window regulators continue to be flaky. However, from an economic AND enjoyment standpoint, I simply cannot beat this car.

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  2000 VW Jetta GL TDI - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By GLM - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I love the low RPM torque the little diesel puts out. It requires only minimal changes in throttle settings to climb hills. My automatic transmission has been perfect. Timing belt changes are the norm for all current vehicles and this is an somewhat expensive procedure. Not the best build quality and lots of rattles and other noises have developed. Occassional "Check Engine" lights but VWs seem to have these and they usually go away on their own. This car should not be a daily driver for a non-mechanic. Too much trouble on the little things. Expensive to repair. Really bad CD changer in trunk. 600+ miles to the tank.