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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  Im Still a VW Girl... - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By attaymik - January 18 - 1:33 am

  I wrote a review when I first bought the car in December 2005. Its got 8,200 miles on it now. I had a check engine light come on and the mirror on the drivers side went out, both were taken care of promptly. Ive owned eight cars since 1989 and every one of them (two Accords and one Maxima just to name a few) had repairs that had to be fixed. There is no exception here. The turbo lags a little in D, but is right on the money in Sport mode. This car is still a blast to drive. It gets great gas mileage and has so far been reliable. Ill check in again when it hits a year. Thank goodness I can use 89 gas and not just 91!

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  Great for the Money - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Joe - January 17 - 2:33 pm

  For the money, the 2006 Jetta Value Edition is a great car. I bought my 2006 Jetta slightly used and knew that I had made the right choice. As I look through the ratings of other cars I just laugh. GM is really funny. None of its vehicles should get a 5 or higher except for the Vett. VW makes good cars because they are drivers cars. This is the second VW for me and they keep getting better. For me the 2.5 has plenty of power because I have never had a very powerful car so it hard to compare to, unlike the editors that drive a $100,000 car with 800 horsepower. Of course the Jetta isnt powerful, but compared to other vehicles in its class it is good. My wife has a Saturn ION. Yeah, I cant wait to get rid of that car. Cheap plastic.

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  The Best Car Ever - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By love my jetta - January 16 - 10:56 am

  I cant say enough how much I love this car. I bought it used and got a great deal on it. I drive my Jetta about 156 miles per day and I have not had one issue at all. The check engine light came on once but that was my fault because I didnt close the fuel door and someone took my gas cap. I have done quite a few "improvements" to the car, adding aftermarket things like a new head light fixture to have projector lights and new rims and tires. I got the windows tinted and changed the tail lights to the new 2005 version as well. I have added XM radio to the car and have done a few interior updates. I really cant stop. I think I am looking every weekend for something new to put on this car.

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  Woooooo-whoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JENNIE - January 16 - 10:00 am

  In one sentence, The Jetta rocks! Although I have the bottom of the line Jetta (GL), it has been fun to drive and a great reliable car. This puppy has taken me on numerous road trips in comfort and style. In its seventh year with me the biggest problem Ive had is replacing the A/C... and the smallest problem Ive had is replacing the O2 sensor on a couple occasions. As a whole I would definitely recommend this fine piece of German machinery to anyone!

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  Jetta GLS 1.8T: Great Car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nick B. - January 16 - 10:00 am

  I have 8,000 miles on my GLS and the car continues to make me smile every time I drive it. No problems at all. The design, engine performace, and creature comforts are awesome. Rest assured, the cupholders have been moved away from the CD and are now in the center. I got the cold weather package, monsoon CD,triptronic, and ESP. This car is most happy on a twisty country road. It handles like a much more expensive (read:BMW, Audi) car.

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  Golf 1.8T - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By niko - January 14 - 11:20 am

  Best car ever owned. Fun to drive, performant, quality interior, great stereo (upgrade option).

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  Wow...On a Whim! - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By littleman01 - January 13 - 3:36 pm

  I bought this car on a whim. My wife had just bought a Routan, and on a whim I asked about the CC. Four days later I was driving unsurpassed and unmatched luxury at 30K. Unmatched 2.0T. Unmatched Interior Styling (better than C Class, TL, and Lexus). Unmatched Gas Mileage. Best of all, unmatched rubbernecking as I drive by. Volkswagen definitely hit the nail on the head with the 2012 CC. I cant help but wonder why you would buy anything else. To tell you the truth, I love parking next to "luxury" cars and peeking inside to see what I am NOT missing. I figure it gives them a chance to see what they ARE missing.

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  06 Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ScottysTDI2006 - January 13 - 9:40 am

  Hi. I recently purchased a 2006 VW Jetta TDI. I am reallly happpy with my decision to go VW. I traded from 2003 Acura TL-S , I have to say that I dont even notice the diffrence in power and but I REALLY notice in the 43-45 mpg of the Jetta! Also I learned that it even can use BIO-Deisel, and help the enviorment, but this fuel is not widely avaiable where I live.

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  Will not be beat for the Price - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By Gab4ever - January 11 - 7:03 pm

  Super vehicle especially for the price. Standard features, build quality and performance is something I would expect in a much higher end vehicle, The turbo makes the gas pedal like a hair trigger on a gun, the attention to detail and quality materials is far superior to this cars competition. Something as simple as an umbrella storage compartment built into the drivers door are the small touches that really make the vehicle a standout aside from what Ive mentioned.

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  What a bargain ! - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By robert peter - January 10 - 9:40 pm

  I bought the car 5 days ago so I cant yet speak for the reliability and the quality. But so far its a great car to own. I bought the car stripped except for the alloy wheels. But stripped the car has just about all I need. The 8 speaker stereo is great. The car rides very comfortable, it hugs the road, and the 5 speed manual is about the smoothest Ive ever driven! There is some road noise mainly from the 16" tires as at a full stop in traffic the engine is very quiet. Also the AC/heat tends to get loud when cranked up but hey, the car cost $15K. My biggest problem is with the 2.5L engine is avoiding a ticket!