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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  My pretty black car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By smoothish - December 15 - 2:43 am

  Gotta love that German engineering. Very comfortable car with everything in the right spot. Pretty dang quick also, can feel the extra thirty horsepower from the 01 Wolfsburg to the 03. Great car.

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  Excellent Choice! - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By RAL - December 14 - 12:25 am

  What we paid for this model was only slightly higer than our 2001 Passart. However, they cut back the warranty, changed the dash lights to whiteish, and it seems there are no drip edges over the doors, we got a small puddle on the seat when we opened the doors in the rain. Otherwise the Tech option give you a bunch of toys! Even if some cost money like Car-net, and XM radio. But the car overall is great, with the tech stuff it makes the car fun and the handleing is totally German, so is the quality. Everything fits perfectly! Oh, they also cut out option choices, you get the package of each model and thats it. If you want to cut out the Sat radio and get Park assist instead with a regular radio, its not gonna happen, whats on the advertisements and the sticker is what you get. And as everywhere today there isnt much haggling on the price, they have their sales and you get a little off that, then theyll add in maintenance and paint protection and tir warranties and they get their full price. Then there was the SEL with lane departure and Park assist for only a couple thousand more!

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  Terrific car but expensive to fix - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Susan - December 13 - 10:00 am

  We love this car. It is so comfortable, secure, tremendous dexterity, tight driving circle, and compares really well in performane and looks and comfort to our friends more expensive BMWs. Have had 9 years, bought new, mid-year, i.e. new model. It was perfect for about 50,000 miles and then things started happening. I just replaced the water pump; the really bad thing is there is no warning that it is going to fail soon... I could have fixed before starting big road trip. But, we may well buy another Passat; they just feel so good to drive and you feel safe. Thinking this time of a lease so as not to keep an older car that we need to worry about.

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  2003 VW Jetta GLS TDI 5-Speed - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Pugman - December 12 - 8:10 pm

  Volkswagens DTI Jetts is better than a Hybrid any day!

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  German evolution - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Franco Cannatella - December 12 - 8:56 am

  This is my 4th Passat and certainly the most luxurius. No doubt VW is after a higher end market. Satelite radio, 6 CD in-dash perfectly diplayed and easy to operate radio with great sound for a standard item. The 200 hp engine coupled with a smooth 6-speed, no clutch transmission gives it a very subtle touch. The handling is pure Volkswagen: nimble, agile and responsive. This car has a stiffer and more solid feel in curves compared to my previous 2003 model.

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  9k Update - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By FrankD - December 10 - 11:30 am

  Ive had the car for a little over 4 months and have 9k on it and I still love it. I average 45 mpg combined with 75% highway. I drive 27 mi to work and my highest comp mpg has been 51.7 mpg, coasting and 55-60 mph, typ is 48 mpg.Love the radio and the SmartCard insert.I have the panoramic roof which is great for continuing to watch a bird/plane you first see from the side windows.This car is fast off the line and when you punch it, excellent.Low road noise, great quality, great features and can fit two adults in back comfortably .I have been putting my kayaks on top and love that it is low, I can put my 55-60 lbers up by myself from the side .With the panoramic get the VW rack due to low clearance

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  Luxury Unsurpassed - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By luxurycollector - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I have seen websites list Phaeton competitors as the Infinity Q45 and other "luxury" vehicles (Lexus 400 series, etc).My advice, buy a W12, or at least go to your local VW dealer and test drive it.It will take you about 2 minutes to figure out that those "competitors" are not competitors of this machine at all.This vehicle is designed to compete with the S Class Mercedes and BMW 700, and it not only compares favorably to these, but blows them away (for specifics refer to comparison chart of the Phaeton/S Class Mercedes/700BMW in the Phaetons brochure/manual).

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  All-In-One Package - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By CJU - December 9 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great little car, despite a few minor problems(ignition coils, window brackets, radio replacement, & dash lights.) All of which were taken care of by the dealer. It is very functional, alot of room to haul people or cargo. Great handling, traction in snow, wet, & dry conditions. Decent MPG for the performance numbers. Safety and security features are of a caliber usually found on higher end vehicles. Improved warranty is also a plus.

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  Incredible Vehicle - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By kickingwestass - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I love my Toureg, it has exceeded all my expectations (and then some). This thing tows over 3 and 1/2 tons (outperforms almost every other SUV in towing). I cant wait for the V10TDI Toureg, I should be able to tow my HOUSE with that thing if need-be. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone in the market for a luxury SUV.

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  VW Jetta - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DawnD - December 9 - 2:00 am

  My favorite car, fast, fun to drive and lots of style. No need for an Audi or BMW when you have the VW GLX VR6. Its a great car with lots of features and you feel safe