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:

• 

  Try and buy it - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Yves - January 5 - 4:06 am

  I have tried almost all of the new 2006 sedans in the same price range. The Jetta was the last one. So I try the Jetta 2.0T...after 5 miles my decision was made. I cant get out of this car. This car is just the deal of the year. Almost all the new techonology is made for the driver. The engine is superb and brakes are powerfull. ESP is very helpfull and it is a great safety feature, and the DSG transmission makes you feel like a super driver. The interior is well designed and comfort is like many other pricy cars. I have had no problems with my Jetta. People that rate this cars build quality and reliability less than 9 should list the problems they had. Facts talk better than imagination.

• 

  Love My Passat! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By alana_711 - January 4 - 10:40 pm

  The Volkswagen Passat is a great car! its fun, safe, comfortable, handles great, and overall is a great deal :).

• 

  A Blast to Drive - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Chicago VW Fan - January 3 - 2:20 am

  I just purchased a 2007 Rabbit 2.5 5-door on 8-5-06. I went to a great dealer with great salespeople. This is our fifth VW. This cars fit and finish are superior. I am impressed with its numerous safety features - see IIHS for crash test results. Its 5-speed manual transmission is smooth and slick. Its handling is awesome - it really hugs the roads. Its accelleration very pleasing as well - especially with the 5-speed. The interior materials are first class. The rear seat leg room comfy for a 6-footer. Its cargo area spacious. I use this vehicle to drive to work - 40 miles round-trip. So far it is averaging about 28/29 mpg mix city/hwy. This is one well-built-fun to drive-good looking automobile. Hats off to VW.

• 

  An SUV with good fuel economy? - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Kelli - January 3 - 1:06 am

  I have been driving a Tiguan for a little over a week now and it rocks. Very versatile, tons of room for people and luggage. The panoramic sunroof is superb this car was really worth the wait and I am get just on 30 mpg! Get one!

• 

  Awesome Good - 2013 Volkswagen CC
  By ussjimmycarter - January 2 - 4:13 am

  Just traded a Passat (2006) with the 3.6 L engine for a 2013 4 motion and the same motor. I love the car! It is quiet, comfortable, wicked fun on curves and it is beautiful! The sound system is unbelieveable. Programmable Key Fob, Air Conditioned and heated seats, when you shut the car off or hit open on the key fob all the windows go down about a 1/4 of an inch to make opening and closing doors easier! And boy is it fast! Switch to Sport Mode and manual shift and this bad boy will scream!

• 

  happy with car - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By der meister - January 1 - 2:00 am

  went from a 2000 vr6 to the 03 1.8t, the car is great bang for the buck, wish it had the 6spd like the 337 though. missed out on that one.

• 

  The Best Economy VW Ever in the USA - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By Mahmoud Itani - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I am very pleased with VW is doing nowadays in the USA especially when it comes to the Golf. Golf has always been a worldwide best seller and here in the US if the Golf is probably the most cost-effective VW you can get. I highly recommend any person who needs a very reliable economy car, try the GOLF gas or TDI engined as they both deliver excellent mileage.

• 

  AMAZING CAR!!! - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By Artem - December 31 - 5:14 pm

  Simply best in its segment. Test driven many competitors, but VW PASSAT definitely stands out. Excellent handling and brakes, awesome road experience, quality interior, great infotainment system, catchy design (I leased the R-Line model), and many more. Definitely recommend this car, especially with current deals from Volkswagen.

• 

  Right Choice - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By HappyInCbus - December 30 - 9:56 pm

  I am a recent college grad. who just started his first real job, and needed a new car. My old car was on its last leg, so I started test driving everything (Camry, Avalon, G35, Mazda6, Altima, A4). I was all set to lease an Altima, but the CC was my last car to look at, and it blew me away in person! In my opinion, it is one of the top 3 or so best looking cars, regardless of price. I have already had 5 different strangers come up to me and ask what kind of car it was (nice ego boost by the way). Its a blast to drive, and nice to have a "worry free" warranty that lasts for the life of the lease (3 years, 36K mi.).

• 

  2003 Volkswagen GTI - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By TMullen - December 30 - 2:00 am

  The 2003 Volkswagen GTI is a very quick, very peppy car. It is absolutly a blast to drive and also a very reliable car. After Im done with this one, I plan on buying another.