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:

• 

  I love my 2009 - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By Cindy - September 7 - 4:36 am

  I purchased a 2009 EOS. Have only had it for 5 days. I love it already. It gets lots of stares. The sunroof makes all the difference in the world. I have a new 2009 color, not sure what it is call but it sometimes looks gold sometimes silver-just beautiful. I have owned 5 vans and an SUV. I am truly in heaven. Test drive one, you wont be sorry. (I lie and tell people I bought if for fuel economy...)

• 

  Caution Buyers - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tim - September 6 - 6:23 pm

  2006 3.6L Passat loaded. Passenger side Xenon headlights gone out for the second time. Can you believe a $ 460.00 repair. Incredible! Bumper needs removal to replace bulb. This car has only 17K miles on it. Thank god it was under warranty but Im worried when the warranty ends. Other than this problem, love this car. Dealership has been great with any repairs since its under warranty.

• 

  An incredible used car value - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By noahas - September 6 - 4:03 am

  Coming from a BMW 7 series, I was concerned, but this is a fantastic car at a great value on the used market. Make sure to get a CPO or aftermarket warranty though just in case. They seem to be quite reliable, but no doubt quite costly once the warranty runs out. The interior is huge, the engine very powerful, and enough little touches that show they thought of everything. Only downside is that VW dealerships dont know how to service customers for a higher end vehicle like this. They are used to people buying $15k cars, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus are not and thus, do it right. Buy it!

• 

  VW R32: All-around Winner - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By Dinamael - September 6 - 2:00 am

  * Subtle but attractive styling * Intoxicating exhaust note * Torquey, powerful engine across entire rev band * AWD puts the power down, even in the rain * Amazing leather seats * Much higher build quality/material quality than similar offerings from Subaru or Mitsubishi

• 

  great little car! - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Id buy it again - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I have been very happy with my Cabrio GLX. It has been very reliable and is lots of fun to drive. I would happily buy the car again.

• 

  Heartbreaker - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By RachieSLC - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I was so excited when I bought my Beetle. I had wanted one since they came out in 1998. I had about a good 2 months until I realized the air conditioning didnt work, which was just the beginning of my repair woes. I have had my car in THREE times to have the air conditioner fixed along with the windows and window switches, the gas and trunk hatches, the temperature guage, and other problems. In the two years I owned this car, I took it to have it fixed TEN TIMES. My clutch went out and it cost $1400 to have it fixed. The week after that, my check engine light came on. I sold that lemon and bought a Civic Si.

• 

  A Portuguese view of VW Passat - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By helder alves - September 6 - 2:00 am

  My experience with Passat starts in 1999 with wagon 1,9L TDI with 110Hp, M 5 gear, after that i had the sedan too, with same motor. A few mounths ago, i change them for a new wagon passat 1,9L TDI but 6 M gear and 130HP and the sedan is now the Audi A4 with same motor. I like very much Passat, the price in Portugal is fair, about 35000 USD with taxes, for a confortable, reliable, economic and prestige brand car. Ive never drive an automatic passat, i supposed its not so emotional. Comparing with A4, in Portugal we pay more 5000 USD, wich i think it dont worth, despite A4 being one of the most beatifull car in the world.

• 

  Fuel economy - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By 4dr Hatchback - September 5 - 4:33 pm

  The sticker fuel consumption states 22 city 30 highway. My average city has not been more than 20 and highway not more than 22. I am very disappointed in the fuel consumption of this vehicle. Is there anything I can do? The dealer has no suggestions.

• 

  Awesome Car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By wivw22 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Very well built and thought-after vehichle. Everything is were you would expect it and works with the quality you expect. Performance is excellent and fuel economy is incredible. The Passat could easily become a performance sedan with some serious tires and rims.

• 

  Silver Bullet - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By ach337 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  I finally received my VW 337 last week. Its a powerful piece of German ingineering. A lot of torque and good acceleration. Nevertheless, there is a small turbo lag. Overall its a fun car to drive...too bad there are only 1500 of them!