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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  Well balanced fun - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By keller - October 17 - 10:00 am

  VW has provided a fun to drive GTI that is truer to its design roots than any car from the manufacturer since the early 90s 16v models. If it makes the car go faster, stop quicker or corner better its in the no option package. Except for the 18" BBS alloys the car does not shout look at me. With no striping, hood scoops, or special edition badging the car is more invisible. Sort of an anti mini cooper S.

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  I LOVE MY CABRIO!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By JPAvocat - October 17 - 10:00 am

  What an awesome little car! This baby is lots of fun, great to drive and eye- catching cute! If you want one, get it now, because this is your last chance (its being discontinued in favor of a beetle convertible)!

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  Very pleased - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mesamie - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I love my Jetta. I bought it used with 18,000 miles on it. Yes, I had the problem with the O2 sensor, but it was replaced free of charge. I replaced tires and brakes. Big deal. Performance has been great. I do a lot of traveling and havent had any problems to date. (Let me knock on wood). I hope to replace it next year with a Passat. German cars have always been my favorites. Has 72,000 miles and runs like a top.

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  My best buy ever - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Springbok - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I have owned VWs for the past 20 years. This latest Jetta TDi has been my best buy ever. VW have excelled with this model. Fuel consumption has exceeded VW claim. I get 45-49 mpg around town and 51-52 mpg on the highway.

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  Awesome Car! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Daniel P Gale - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I never imagined myself in a diesel or a Volkeswagen. Boy have I been missing out! This car is awesome. It is extremely comfortable, a joy to drive and has great gas mileage. People should not be afraid to test drive one of these! What more can you ask for in a car getting 45+ per gallon.

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  Very Satisfied - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By DB - October 17 - 5:03 am

  I have had the car for two weeks now. I got a 2.0T with Luxury package 2, Dynaudio, and 17 inch wheels. Simply put, it is a great car to drive. It feels solid, and the 2.0T engine wants to go! My average gas mileage during break-in has been 25.8 mpg. I test drove most of the cars in the $28,000 - $35,000 range and the VW was the best value and most fun to drive with a luxury sport sedan feel. I read some reviews regarding the windnoise at 60 mph plus, just get the upgraded Dynaudio system and there is no need to worry! ;-) The transmission shifts smoothly and has a nice power band, theres no need to get to 4,000 rpms to get performance.

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  Love my Jetta - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Love my Jetta - October 17 - 2:40 am

  This is my second Jetta. Even though Consumer Reports gave the Jetta a poor review in 2005 I went ahead and bought the 06. My previous Jetta was a 98. What a great choice that was. I have had it for over two years now and, 24,000 miles later, it has performed perfectly. I still get a thrill out of driving it. City mileage about 24-25 mpg.

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  I love my GLi - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Christi - October 16 - 9:10 pm

  This car has been a joy to drive and a blast to rip around town in. The trunk holds anything I throw at it and the paddle shifters make even the worst traffic enjoyable. I did have a couple of issues at the beginning, but that came from sitting on a lot for almost a year before I got it. And the dealer was wonderful about taking care of them on their tab. It is also a little rocket!! I love having kids in souped up cars try and race me - I leave them at the line every time!

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  Disappointment Abounds - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Debbie - October 16 - 9:10 am

  Although the Touareg gets loads of attention - looks nice, feels nice - it seems to have a lot of "bugs" to work out. The car is highly computerized and sometimes needs to be rebooted (yes, just like your comptuer at home). This means actually turning off your car, then turning it back on. There have been MULTIPLE recalls on the Touareg and has spent a lot of time in the shop. This has the potential of being a great car if they could work out some of these annoying problems.

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  I look fly in my GTI 1.8T - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By lea - October 16 - 3:03 am

  I love my GTI its 5-manual love the way the turbo hits approx. 50 mpg to 80 and stops on a dime has the comfort as a 2006 lexus, I personally have two vehicles my other is ESCAPE 5- manual my GTI cannot compare to my other, I drive my GTI more than my escape. Its the way the onlookers around look at me flying in my ride.