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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  Brendans review - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By brendan - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Good Car it has very good traction contrel it is also good in the snow

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  Excellent car that I have ever own - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Velu - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Its a wonderful car to drive, comfort and own. Never felt more confortable with any car in my life

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  my darling beetle! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By margetz@aol.com - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I will never own anything but Beetles!

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  Turbo S named MAX - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By wldwsel - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Fun to drive - lots of features. My first new car was a 68 VW Bug, so I can can compare and say this one has all the things you would have wanted if you could have afforded to modify it, plus its much larger inside.

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  Lovin this car!! - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By sportyj - January 3 - 9:36 pm

  I test drove everything in the Volkswagen Passats class, including the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, Volvo S40, Lexus IS300, Saabs, Nissans, the list goes on. A friend recommended the Passat, I drove it once, and fell in love. The car is solid, feels safe as can be, has every feature I could ever dream of having, and is a BLAST to drive. I use the sportshift all the time and this car flies off the line when using it. It is not so great with the auto engaged, but it leaves nothing to be desired. I got a smokin deal on it. I have put on a ton of miles already because I just WANT to drive. This car has impressed me SO MUCH!

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  2006 Beetle Convertible - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jennel - January 3 - 11:16 am

  My Beetle Convertible is adorable, fun, and a perky drive. It has more pick-up than youd expect, and is built more solidly than expected. It has a great sound system. I love its creative tidbits. It gets lots of smiles from strangers. I feel like a kid adrift in cotton candy...and guilty too! Its too nice. Negatives: teeny trunk; no storage. If you need storage, this has to be your second car or simply skip it. The front seating is fairly comfortable - the seat moves 7 directions so you can sit up, like in a chair, or down more as if in a sporty car. The 2006 model has the armrest farther back and its too far back for me. I really dislike it and find it uncomfortable. The convertible top is too hard for me to shut.

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  Practical and fun to drive - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By austin - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I moved in to this car from a 1996 Infiniti I-30, primarily for the safety features. Very comfortable right, tight handling, all the features of a luxury vehicle. It stacks up against my brothers BMW wagon for much less money. Its the best wagon in its class.

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  A lot of fun to drive - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Creole - January 2 - 10:00 am

  This is my second convertible and I am pleased with my purchase on the 2001 GL model. I totally recommend this vehicle.

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  From Mercedes to VW - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Carol - January 2 - 9:40 am

  I had a Mercedes M-Class previously and decided to purchase more earth-friendly auto this time. I have continued to be pleasantly surprised with the vehicles comfort, reliability and gas mileage. The longer I am in possession of it, the more I appreciate it!