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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  Nice Car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ooo - March 20 - 1:36 am

  Driving this car was not only fun but comfortable, you have to love that 2.0T engine, once it gets going you can really feel the turbo kick in! With 200hp Im loving this car, my Dad has a 2006 Passat with the same 200hp 2.0T engine but his was way more expensive, only has a few more features. I never want to get out of the car when Im driving it, since I bought it just a week ago I have yet to notice anything wrong with the car. There is no road noise and a smooth ride, especially on corners going 30 mph ;) the car stays just like you were going straight on a road! The bi-xenon headlights on pkg. #2 help in seeing the road ahead as well.

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  My 4th and so far the best VW - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Erik - March 20 - 1:10 am

  I recently purchased my 05 Jetta I am one of those people who just love VW this is my 4th one I absolutely love it though it is only 7 inches longer and 1 3/4 inches taller and 3 inches wider it feels huge I love the features such as the dual climate control, rear seat vents, new armrest in back seat. Would you believe from 2 cupholders to 6? Wow, satellite radio which I love. This is truly a smooth riding comfortable car. Go VW!

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  Love it - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By btaylor - March 19 - 10:00 am

  I love this car!

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  TDI 185000 still going strong - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By string - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Luv this car. commute 172 miles round trip. Excellent milage >50 mpg. Only routine wear and tear repairs.(Brakes, tires etc....) Extremely reliable

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  GTI 1.8t is smooth performer - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By GTI Owner - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Last car was 02 GT Mustang... was total loss in accident after only 9K miles... GTI was always interesting to me. (On the short list when I bought the stang) Ive had this car for a couple of months and it is truly incredible. Build is great, performance is great. Love the 1.8t though wonder if VR6 would have been better choice for me... I love the tourque more than the speed. Anyway, love my 03 GTI and would reccommend to anyone. Despite the fact that this car has endeared itself to me, I do believe I will be replacing it with a Golf R32 in 04... that car has potential to be incredible!

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  This car has been a terrible mistake - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mkastor - March 19 - 10:00 am

  This car has been one continual headache after another. The windows continue to fall off the tracks. We go get them fixed and then the glass falls down inside the door with a loud thud again. During the warm weather, large amounts of grease from the window mechanism leaks down through door and on to the frame where you get in and out of the car--getting on your clothes. We have had many other problems besides this, so I definitely would not recommend anyone to purchase a Volkswagen.

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  200,000 Miles & a Head On Crash! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Florida Mike - March 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2000 TDI GLS Jetta a little more than 3 years ago. I use it for work and drive, on average, 275 miles/day. I had all the features you could get with the GLS - leather, sunroof, winter package, alloy wheels, etc. The other day I reached 200,000 miles. I never had any unexpected repairs and the car remained in excellent condition until the other day. Unfortunately, the same day I hit 200k a woman crossed the median on the highway and we collided in a 65 MPH crash. While the car was totaled, the cabin remained in tact as did all the glass - with the exception of a cracked windshield and I walked away with only a few minor bruises.

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  Disappointed with the Jetta - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Alli - March 19 - 10:00 am

  I previously owned a Jetta (1985), and thought it was the best car ever. I purchased another in 2001, and have been very disappointed. Although cute and okay to drive, the performance of the car is not as good as my last one. Maybe it is the inferior labor used in making it, but it is not as peppy as I remember.

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  Great fun and reliable - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jen - March 19 - 6:56 am

  Classic VW - fun to drive, great performance, good handling and safe. Always feel fun and in control at same time. Turbo really gets going once you learn to drive it.

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  2nd Passat after 16 Years - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By Walter D. Medley III - March 19 - 4:06 am

  Traded a 2015 Mazda 6 for my 2015 Passat Sport Manual Transmission. Love the Passat. Just had the 10000 mile service after 90 Days of ownership. Trouble free . Great gas mileage. Large Fuel allows 500 miles between fill ups. Traded the Passat for a Tiguan at 45,000 after 10 months of trouble free driving. I was tired of driving the manual transmission.