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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  2003 GLX Turbo Automatic - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Cutebug - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Love my car. Cutest thing on the road. Turbo gives the car a lot of pep. Smooth ride on the freeway.

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  Great Wagon can compete with the best - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By frederik - November 28 - 8:03 am

  Was looking for a wagon and found it in the Passat. The interest rate and the fact it was a CPO was another great decision. Despite some different opinions on the 2002 models, I believe this is a solid car. I could not get the diesel wagon may be next time premium model will do :).

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  I love my new car! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jaime - November 27 - 11:13 pm

  I LOVE my new car! This is my second Volkswagon. My first, 2001 Cabrio, was not great whatsoever. I was a little bit iffy on getting another Volkswagen but Im glad I did. Its been great!

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  Another reason that Detroit is in trouble - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Joseph D - November 27 - 5:30 pm

  I have wanted to combat the high cost of gasoline for a long time. I have found my weapon to be a stylish, sophisticated economy (or is this a mid-size, the rental car companies have me confused on whats what!) car with luxury touches: the Jetta TDI. The interior is surpisingly smart and "rich". The heated leather seats have the look and feel of a high end car in a different price range. Some other manufacturers charge $500 - $1,000 for satellite radio, it was included in the cost when you purchase package 1 or 2.

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  Great Diesel - 2010 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Don - November 26 - 10:00 am

  This is an excellent SUV diesel which has exceeded my high demands and expectations in every respect: Power, comfort, style and reliability. I have 20,500 miles and virtually no problems have surfaced. Eventually I will probably buy the newer model, but I plan to keep this for many more years because it is so well-executed and realized. Dealership support for the routine service has been exemplary. It is superior in most respects to my former BMW X5 and is more evocative of the Sahara than Wilshire Blvd--a good rugged simple feel with less "look at me!!" attitude than the BMW.

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  Sleek Baby! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Tony - November 26 - 8:30 am

  Amazing car. The performance/luxury/value equation on the CC Sport (or Luxury) is very high. The amount of style (beautiful inside and out), performance (sub 7 sec 0-60 with the manual), fuel economy (30+ on the hwy and 24ish around town), and standard features puts this car in a class by itself. It really stands out on the road in a sea of forgetable family sedans. The get up and go has really surprised me; you find yourself over the posted speed limit in no time and the power delivery is so smooth, you would never know this is a 4 banger. Build quality is top notch and even the standard radio is solid. The one down side...the steering is a little too light. Otherwise, well done VW!

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  Update on my May 2013 review - 2013 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By desertguy51 - November 25 - 11:53 pm

  Updating my May 2013 review Great seats for long drives. Excellent lumbar support. Id like full power seats, but at least the power seat back adjustment is a great idea. Mileage: Great. Recent trip: Palm Springs to Oakland: 35.5 mpg. Marin to Ventura counties: 37.5 Ventura to Palm Springs: 39.5 This is not the TDI, so although Id love the additional power of the turbo, the excellent mileage has compensated for the 2.5. Bluetooth works well, although I did have to have the dealer pair my phone to it. They were happy to do it and I have to say that VW service has been excellent from VW of Palm Springs.

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  Love this car - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By TJ - November 24 - 8:37 am

  Ive only had this car for a week but Im in love. Purchased mine with under 33k miles. For the most part she rides like butter. Its taking some adjustment after driving 2 manuals for the last 11 years. This car isnt at all my usual style as I normally choose a smaller, sportier car. In fact, I purchased this is lieu of the Mazda3 Id chosen. The power and room sold me. Pros: classic and elegant looking and VERY roomy. Feels high quality yet minimalist by design. Tech and navigation are simple and adequate. Great speakers. Cornsilk leatherette and nickel interior looks high end (mine is in minty condition 3 years later). Lots of features on my TSI SE. Fast! I leave people in the dust:) I dont see tons of these on the road unlike Kia and Hyundai. Cons: Seats lack padding and are not at all plush. MPG isnt as good as I thought it would be, though not too bad. Sport mode has choppy shifting and the tranny is quirky sometimes. Hate VW dealership customer service so far. Love this car and would recommend this non diesel version.

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  2012 VW Golf TDI - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By chasda - November 23 - 12:51 am

  My previous car was a 2008 civic EXL. It was economical, dependable transportation, strictly point A to point B. I wanted to move up to something more competent, more fun to drive. I researched all the cars in the compact class. I compared power, performance and economy. Although all had something to offer, I felt the Golf TDI was a step ahead. The blend of performance, economy and build quality is unmatched in this segment. The diesel has a lot of torque and a broad power range, the DSG transmission blends perfectly, acceleration and passing are a breeze. The ride is solid, and handling is precise. Road noise is minimal, it has the feel of a much more expensive car. Sound system is awesome.

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  Jetta The best car ever!...and safe too! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jessica Lauderdale - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I have a 99 Jetta and I tell ya, I refuse to buy another car. Im selling my car right now and Im upgradeing to a 2004 Jetta. I got in a car accent about a year ago. I was in my jetta and I stopped for a red light when a man in a BMW hit me from behind going 40 mph. The accent did do some damage to my car but I tell ya, It should have been a lot worse. My bumper absorbed all the accent and I didnt get hurt at all. I do have to admit, the BMW looked like it hit a tree. It did not crash well. I was not the least bit impressed. I highly recomend a jetta to anyone. I recomend a jetta to anyone who is looking for a new car.