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:

• 

  Had to Have It - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By vagentlemanjon - December 9 - 3:26 pm

  I just bought my first new car at 45 years of age yesterday, a 4-door 07 Rabbit, fully loaded with new alloys to boot. It has 153 miles on it, so I am in the honeymoon phase for sure. After looking carefully around, I decided the Rabbit was the best value around for about $20,000. It is quiet, peppy, and tight as a drum, with a fab interior -- which is so much nicer than a Japanese interior it is a little hard to believe the price is comparable. My Dad had a 77 Champagne Edition Rabbit when I was in HS, and it was also tight and fast. He was horrible at maintenance, and got 220,000 out of it.

• 

  Very Pleased - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CC - December 7 - 10:06 pm

  My first VW, the 2.0T Wolfsburg is comfortable and well crafted, I feel like Im driving something costing $10k more. A very solid car, the suspension and steering are excellent. The engine delivers a satisfying rush of acceleration when you want it. DSG transmissions Sport mode changes the car from a sedate cruiser to a growling animal - lots of smiles. Trunk is huge, with fold down seats can carry lots of cargo. So far 9K miles, no troubles. Very happy all around.

• 

  Too many trips to the shop - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By FGRR3 - December 7 - 9:03 pm

  I like how the car looks, drives, etc., but I have had too many trips to the garage. Both drivers and passengers front window malfunctions, an engine sensor, transmission gasket leak, dash lights, and there is still an intermittent shifting issue that never seems to crop up when the mechanic is looking at the car. Dealership has been responsive, all repairs covered under warranty.

• 

  Great car but dont expect perfection - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Erin - December 7 - 8:33 pm

  I have been driving my Beetle for about four months now and love it. It is my only car and has been great even on roadtrips, less then 500 miles. It is a little jumpy when you give it gas but has good pick up. The only problem I had was the front blinker coming out and the door molding popping up. BUT I was forewarned by reading up on the car before purchased so I wasnt too surprised. So dont expect a perfect car with great quality. I too had bad service at the VW dealer, not purchased from, and hope I dont need to go back anytime soon. The top down rocks and the little features make up for the cheesy interior. I am SO glad I didnt purchase an everyday Sebring. this car is great to drive does not have great quality.

• 

  Nothing but problems - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brent - December 7 - 5:33 am

  Ever since i have owned this car, i have had to keep putting money into it. New spark plugs, new transmission, window mount broke twice, faulty wiring, engine mount broke, emergency break light stays on some times; it is by far the worst car that i have ever owned. I will NEVER own another volkswagen again.

• 

  I might be unlucky... - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By UnluckyWithPassat - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I might be unlucky with this car... My Passat became a whole trouble starting right after the first oil change: for those two and a half years that I owned it, I fixed about 10 different defects under warranty and from my pocket. Plus not yet fixed but persisting problem with rough idle and vibration. So, I decided to get rid from it untill the problems get worse because for $26000 I could have anticipated something more reliable...

• 

  Beautiful lemon - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bankerella - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Talk about your love/hate relationships. Ive never had so much fun driving something so economical. However, the overwhelming amount of problems with my car is forcing me to sell it at 3 years/37,000 miles. My turbo has blown, and that is the last straw.

• 

  Cable Volkswagen at its best - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By NewVWownerJosh - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Dealership was awesome. Salesman was extremely nice, John was very knowledgeable. Did everything we ever needed. The SUV is amazing! we looked all over and this one just feels and drives the best.

• 

  AWESOME CAR!! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Jim Ryan - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is most likely the greatest vehicle Ive ever purchased. The last car I owned was a 2002 Cadillac Escalade, and the Toureg beats it without any doubt. The first time I saw this car, I thought it was the Porsche Cayanne. But after test- driving both, I decided that I liked the Toureg better. Porcsche should stick to making cars... I reccomend buying this car for anyone looking for a mid size SUV under $45,000. Volkswagon has done it again!

• 

  Check this out. - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mrjjp - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this wagon because I was sick of paying $300.00 for gasolone. I drive a lot to the Cape and round trip is a seven hour ordeal. The VW has made life easier. Excellent mileage at 45 on a gallon of fuel, ride and comfort is unbelieveable. Plenty of power at 90 HP :) Love to drive the car too.