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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  Volkwagen Oil Consumption - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Butchieb - October 13 - 8:53 am

  Our 2006 Passat has been a nightmare. We have had the car in the shop 15-16 times for the replacement of peeling switches, recall fixes, but most important oil consumption problems. I noticed after the first oil change the car was using 1-1.5 quarts of oil every 5k. I was told normal by Volkswagen dealer. It has gotten worse and a 5k oil consumption test showed 3 quarts per 5k. Most recently they are performing a 1000k test but no acknowledgment of a problem. I am done with Volkswagens once I get rid of this one. Recommend Honda, Toyota or Nissan to prospective buyers.

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  First Time VW Owner - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Pat - October 13 - 2:33 am

  This is the first time I have ever purchased a VW. The ride is very smooth. The 2.0L Turbo has much more power than you would think. I dont think the 0 - 60 time is far off from my 2004 Maxima SE. The 6 speed automatic is smooth shifting and the Tiptronic transmission works better than most of the manual over automatic shifters out there. The fit and finish of the car is as good as anything out there. I got the leather package and xenon adaptive headlights. It is still early, but this is a really well built car.

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  Best bang for your Buck! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Joel - October 13 - 1:16 am

  The CC is the best vehicle out there for this price point. From the beautiful lines to the top-notch interior this is one excellent vehicle. I looked at everything out there and nothing compares. I got mine for just over 24,000 with the Automatic.

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  but it happens - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By go4th1 - October 12 - 11:55 am

  well i bought my jetta this year and it a 2000 5 speed its a awesome car so fun to drive it takes cruves like nothing ive ever been in it the best car i have ever owned but after 2 months the trans slung two gears and i mean its still not that bad but its way to much for another 1

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  Brillance falling short - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By DrinkingLemonade - October 12 - 1:06 am

  Im on my second Touareg as my first was unofficially declared a lemon and swapped with a better Touareg after 3,000 miles (albeit older production model) by VW corporate. Gorgeous vehicle, wonderfully sporty drive in V8 (avoid V6, not enough power) however plagued with problems. Have spent more time in loaner VW cars than I care for; first Treg had electrical issues that could never be solved, this one is back in the shop after 11,000 miles for over a week. Navigation system is weak and not worth the premium, transmission is jerky, battery drain issues create uncertain feelings towards day to day reliability. Once reliability concerns are addressed, this will be a fantastic vehicle.

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  Fun but many annoyances - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By rick - October 11 - 10:13 pm

  Nice engine and tiptronic, mirror wind noises, cup holders poorly designed, hood chips like hell, water leaks in trunk, huge blind spot, idiotic key design - difficult to remove it, cant put the wipers upright for winter storms, oil filter 12.95-for paper insert, small AC vents, NO WINDSHIELD DEFROST ABILITIES!!

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  great car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By keith - October 11 - 9:00 pm

  I have had my 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 for five months and have put about 10,000 miles on it. I have had absolutely no problems. I am getting about 32 mpg on the highway. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  A car for all moods - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Paul - October 11 - 12:56 pm

  I like this car because it follows my driving moods. Sometimes, I just like to adjust the climate, put it in drive, turn on Sirius Disorder and drive it like a normal car. And it does this marvelously. When I do this, its fairly easy to get 30 mpg or more (according to the cars computer). Sometimes, I like to pick my own gears, put the windows down and the sunroof back, crank up Alt Nation and strap a brick to my shoe. It handles this impressively as well. And will still get around 27 mpg. No matter how I feel like driving, this car just delivers a great drive. It looks and feels rock solid. Theres little features VW doesnt even flaunt giving me the impression of attention to details.

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  Sportwagon, TDI, Manual - 2014 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By stevenjohn - October 11 - 11:44 am

  Bought this car because we needed something reasonably priced, great mileage, that can haul things around. First VW we have owned, we have owned BMW, Acura, Honda. Very happy so far with the purchase. Excellent driving, very good mileage (over 40 mpg....), plenty big, love the manual, and the turbo diesel.

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  Great car! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Pam - October 10 - 3:31 pm

  Economical and great to drive.