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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  New Owner - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By 2muchpwr - May 6 - 6:10 pm

  Just took delivery two days ago, and I LOVE this car! Ive never seen so many people staring, and I know it isnt me theyre looking at. This car just feels good.

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  What a GREAT car!! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RoadKing - May 6 - 2:20 pm

  Went from a 2001 BMW 540i 6 speed to this vehicle with NO REGRETS. Wasnt even looking at this vehicle but my wife saw one, we test drove, and bought one that the dealer had coming in. Very lucky too to get VW rebate, low interest financing, and the $1,300 govt refund. Glad I listened to others and got 6 speed, sunroof, and 17" rims. Added fog lamps and tinted the windows. Car looks great, has typical German Engineering, is a BLAST to drive, and gets great mileage so far (with only 2,500 miles, Im getting 36 daily city/freeway and got 43 highway on a recent trip). Love all the room in back the wagon creates, its been great for hauling two black labs. I highly recommend this car.

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  Great SUV desperately needs air suspension - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By clarkg - May 6 - 5:51 am

  This is my 3rd T-reg and will be my last - I previously had the Lux version but decided to move up to the Executive - this changed the rim size to 20" from the Luxs 19" - just this 1" taller rim harshened the ride considerably to a point that passengers in the back seat went airborne over any large bump - I had test driven a Cayenne diesel with air suspension before purchasing the Executive - it had a pleasing controlled ride on rough streets - a similarly equipped Cayenne diesel bites 6 figures fully loaded so the Executive is a relative bargain - I hope that VW will once again offer air suspension as an option on the T-reg since the large majority are street driven

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  Buyer Beware - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By roger f - May 6 - 3:40 am

  The appearance looks great, but buyer beware. I have had more problems with this vehicle than all the cars I have combined in 45 years. Electrical problems began from the very beginning.The check engine light came on all the time.The car was in the shop frequently. I have had to replace both rear wheel bearings with just over 50,000 miles on the vehicle. I contacted Volkswagen USA and they were very rude and abrupt and stated the wheel bearings had to be replaced because of the bad road conditions. I would caution any buyer to stay clear of any Volkswagen vehicles. They do not build them like they use to. Repairs are extremely costly! I just picked up my car from the dealership and was

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Grandpa - May 5 - 6:23 pm

  This is my 5th VW but the first diesel and I must say it is one of the best , the ride is good the car is very well made and the mpg is around 33 in town. never been on a long road trip yet so cant say what the mpg would be. If I could change on thing on the car it would be to extend the length of the front seat a few inches where the front edge of the seat would hit loweron my legs.

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  Can be improved - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Walter - May 5 - 4:23 pm

  Have one ongoing problem, its the road clearance under car, you will bottom out on road dips (not potholes) just thoses waves and dips that you cannot see. This has caused the dust panel behind front bumper to fall off. You will hit this panel entering and leaving driveways etc. There is just not enough clearance under car. I estimate the clearance under my Jetta to be approx. 2 to 3 inches at most. Is this legal? Local mecanic suggested that mybe Volkswagon might have stiffer front springs to lift car a little higher, will check soon. Good fuel economy but you lose a little of what you save from the pumps when you pay high, very high oil changes.

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  Everyone is "WOWed" by my car - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By thejester1 - May 4 - 2:36 pm

  LOVE this car so much! Amazing gas mileage that gets better as the engine gets broken in, and its super roomy! People sit behind my 63 boyfriend and they still have tons of space in the back. Everyone has commented that it rides really smooth as well. People ask, "This is a Volkswagon? WOW! This is super nice!" This car has exceeded my expectations, and I find myself volunteering to drive everywhere because its so much fun.

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  I should have pursued the Lemon Law - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jal - May 4 - 11:50 am

  Transmission clunking on downshifting, service dept said they could not duplicate the problem. Thus, they can not fix it. Tire pressure monitors not working, cracked panels at dash, seat belts locking and have to be cut off. Center carrier barring had to be replaced. I started Lemon Law proceeding on this. It just happens that the day VW recieved by defect notification, "suddenly" they can fix my vehicle. I sold it after less then one year and bought Lexus RX 330 and lost several thousand dollars over my purchase of the 2004 Touareg, SUV of the year. I was so happy to get rid of the VW, and never happier driving a vehicle like the RX330.....

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  Best car ever - 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Susan Dillon - May 4 - 8:42 am

  Great car, this car does require premium gas and is slightly more in repairs but well worth the money.

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  3.6 w/Sports Package - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Randy V - May 4 - 5:06 am

  With sports pkg comparable with Audi A4/6 only faster, less money and isn’t seen at every stop light. Sports pkg has suspension w/ lowered ride ht, nice ten-spoke 18" wheels, paddle shifters, adj. sport seats (not made for wide bottoms). The 280hp VR-6 has a nice growl when you accelerate: 1/4 mi in 14.5 sec. at 100.2 mph, compare to others in R&T Mag test summary. It has a quirk: accelerator is non-linear and is tricky to master. Too light on the gas and you get a momentary blip of hesitation or if you step into it (no kidding) you light up the tires shocking your passengers. If you love car audio you must get the Dynaudio opt, exp at $1K but it rocks! Added bonus – insurance is reasonable!