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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  Great Intention, Average Execution - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gee - December 16 - 5:50 am

  Ive had this car for 6 1/2 years (120,000 miles). Its stylish, well designed, has good fuel efficiency (2.0 engine), is comfortable, and fun to drive. However, compared to modern cars, the build quality and reliability are only average (below average if compared to a Japanese car). Rather than list everything that has gone wrong, Ill say this: averaged over the most of the cars life, Ive had $1,000 of repairs per year. It would be closer to $1,500 if I didnt do most of the diagnostics and labor myself. All of my problems have been mechanical, so the body and interior of the car look GREAT. If you can get one used for a few grand, and dont mind putting $1,000 a year in the car, its a buy!

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  overall, good car - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By srihari - December 16 - 4:40 am

  First of all, I am six feet six inches, most of that legs! Given the fact that I prefer small and efficient cars, nothing that I tested came close to this VW in terms of leg room (lots!). When I first drove it, I was very impressed with the cars power and handling. Interior fit and finish is baby BMW style, gorgeous combination of black and beige. Not so good: the car is heavy! Feels almost like a an older American car: heavy, with a large displacement but uninteresting engine. Lots of torque but no fun to rev up. Nothing like a Mazda or Honda in terms of tossability. Getting about 24-25 mpg, mostly highway. If I floor it just a couple times per full tank, mileage drops to 21 mpg!

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  Very reliable, great mileage - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rrocks - December 15 - 10:05 am

  After 10 months and 9500 miles, all is excellent...upper 40s on the hwy, 29-30 in horrible suburban driving conditions where I live (a lot of stop and start). Absolutely no problems. I think its a great, fun car for the money. A bit slow on the start, but it picks up speed quickly. Im sold on diesel. The only thing I dont like is the odometer display. My wife claims she doesnt care about cars but I can tell she loves it.

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  Terrific car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Turbonium - December 14 - 9:00 pm

  This is a terrific car. Luxurious, perfectly designed interior with so many nice touches that it is hard to remember them all. Its luxurious, with soft leather, and lots of legroom, especially for rear passengers. The 2.0T engine is very refined for a 4- cylinder engine, very smooth, with lots of power, matched to a firm but comfortable suspension, coupled with very effective electromechanical steering. It has great brakes. Dont buy the car without the Dynaudio stereo. The navigation system is useful but costly. The car feels and drives like something special, not just a means of getting from point A to point B. I keep finding excuses to drive the car. "What, were out of milk? No problem! Ill get it!

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  I Love this car - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By zman - December 14 - 1:23 pm

  I bought this car after researching cars to buy for the past three years.I cross shopped it with the Acura TSX the VOlkswagen GTI and the Honda Accord. I needed a four door that was well built, a drivers car, comfortable, fuel efficient and under 29K. The car looks and feels so much more expensive than it is. I have the fake two tone leather, and the seats are better than my previous cars real leather seats. Excellent computer information system that allows you to customize everything from how long the lights stay on after you leave the car to what speed to remind you to slow down. The standard premium radio has excellent sound reproduction, works with ipod and supports Bluetooth hands free.

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  The Best One So Far.... - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ray Cavanagh - December 13 - 7:10 pm

  I owned a 2002 SLK and 2003 BMW Z-4. After spending a fortune for upkeep of these two cars I dumped them both and bought a 2007 Convertible, and a 2008 Triple White coupe. They both run circles around my former car. I have homes in both Sacramento and Palm Springs, a ride of 500 miles. Both cars get me there in style and comfort. So far, I have been happy with both. The comfort level and handling has been outstanding. Love the fact that I am putting regular gas in and not the premium I was so use to. I will never do the luxury car route again when I can get a better car in the New Bug.

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  The best car I have ever had - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mohavi - December 13 - 10:00 am

  P E R F E C T, what can I say...Great on gas, fun to drive, I bought it used with 89k miles, changed the oil, spent total 100 dollars on it, and just kept it maintained by changing the oil, tune ups, tire rotation, and basic maintainance. I never had a problem with it. TRUST YOUR VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. Before you buy your new volkswagen, take it to a dealer, invest that 40 dollars to have it checked, they can tell you exactly what needs to be done and what kind of condition it is in. This is the best car I ever had, when I am ready for a newer car, I will buy a newer Jetta. Love it

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By Widdsfly - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle to replace my 1997 S10 and I couldnt be happier. The power is adequate, the mileage is excellent, and overall it seems to be one of the best vehicles I have owned.

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  fun - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shiner - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is very fast and a lot of fun. I too had the coil problem, but my dealer fixed it quickly and gave me a rental in the mean time. Since then it has run flawlessly. Second gear is a bit funny. If you dont hit it just right it can bog a bit. Otherwise, Im looking forward, and fully expecting, to taking it to 300k miles.

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  volks review - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By eyewired1 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  nice car, good handling, decent acceleration while maintaining fuel economy, lots of good options. Apleasure to drive