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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  Having fun shifting again - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By RJM - July 26 - 11:30 pm

  Ive had the GTI for three months now and I can honestly say its a blast to drive, and with four doors, its very practical as well. This is my first manual transmission car in 18 years and Im really enjoying shifting on my own again. The car has plenty of power and very little turbo lag. Build quality is excellent and Ive had no issues with reliability. I was tempted to get a BMW 335i, but in Northern Virginia where I live it seems that every other car is a BMW 3 series so the GTI is a nice change and the price is extremely reasonable for what you get.

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  amazing - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By dardson1 - July 26 - 10:18 pm

  Although Ive only had this car a week I am amazed. I drove several vehicles but fell in love after I drove the Sportswagen TDI. It is extremely quick (the HP numbers seem meaningless with this Turbo Diesel). It is way fun-to-drive and the ride is smooth as "butta". Im used to truck based and Crossover SUVs (07 Murano last and 3 Tahoes before that). My job changed and I no longer need a full-sized vehicle. The Sportwagen will be perfect if......it holds up well. VW has had a questionable reliability history, but for now Im very happy. Absolutely LOVE this car and the sound system is tip-top

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  Buy it if you have own gas-station - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Umi - July 26 - 3:30 am

  We got VW Passat 02 wagon on 06.2007 in CarMax with 51K miles on it. For the 7 month after we bought it, we spent $1500 for repairs. I got 16.5 mpg per city and 22 mpg on highway. It is the worst car: No Fuel Economy, High cost of maintenance. Bad Electric, brakes, and engine part. I did not expect the bad quality from German car producer, but I experienced it with my Passat. Service cost is too high. After 3 month the problems started with window power and electric cables&wires. Nobody could explain why station wagon "eats" gasoline as a Chevy Suburban. It is unbelievable, but I got 16 miles per gallon in city. I will never buy any VW product and would not recommend to someone else. Just bad

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  02 Passat GLS Auto - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ericm - July 26 - 2:00 am

  So far, after having it for 26K miles I have not had any major problems. A few ninor things fixed (Back rear window would not roll down, Chrome trim was coming off). I think the car is still fun to drive. I like the detail of the interior and look of exterior. The black on black combo still looks as good as day one. My only concern is the average MPG (25mpg according to the trip computer). Not 31 as on the sticker...

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  OOPS - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tur77tle - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Loved the jetta at first. Bought at a steal with 43,000 mi. At about 80,000 had TONS of problems. Brakes always squeak (replaced twice), electrical problems with AC, Engine lights on, brake system lights always on,and O2 sensors replced. Actually failed emissions this year (Car had to reach 600 degrees before sensors turned on). Transmission problems shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. And finally, the car wouldnt shift into 5th gear reliabily at all. Oh yeah, the driver side lock just fell right out!!This is odd because have very good service records. Thank god I had a great mechanic!

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  Really a good car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By BlueTDIowner - July 26 - 2:00 am

  I have 103,000 miles on my 2001 VW Jetta TDI since I bought it new. Ive followed all the maintenance recommendations, and only use Delvac 1 oil in it, which I change myself every 10,000 miles. Lifetime fuel economy is 46.8 mpg, and I drive it pretty hard. Ive owned a lot of cars in my life, and this is the most reliable car Ive had yet. As long as you buy the diesel fuel where the big rigs buy theirs, you will be OK in the winter.

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  First year bugs - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Lars050 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  The car is great looking - inside and out, fun to drive, luxurious, and I got it for a fair price. Sales and service at dealership were great. Didnt really need the V8 but wanted some of the options that werent available on the V6. For a mid-size SUV, handles really great, much better than my mid-size Lincoln LS.

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  Best SUV out there............. - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jeff Smith - July 26 - 2:00 am

  i have driven most of the midsize suvs and this vehicle is bar none I would recommend it to everyone. I fish in the Everglades of Florida alot and I thought I would have a problem with the swamps I drive through. It goes places my jeep Wrangler never would. Still it has the look of a luxury suv I can go play in the mud and still go to dinner that evening (after a bath).

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  Good to go - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By salut - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Perfect so far. Loaded with just about every option. Great in snow and late winter roads in the northeast. I like the fact that you can disable many of the (over the top) features in the interior. Mileage is not great but no worse than the Suburban it replaced. Throttle and brakes are a little touchy, though the brakes work very well. Arrived with front end out of allignment. Waited forever to get a car with OnStar.

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  Jetta 1.8 T - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By joejetta04 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Solidly built with attention to detail. This car is a lot of fun to drive, and you are seated in a first class cabin. The interior is of Audi quality and comfort. Safety features such as 6 airbags, and traction control are standard. If you are shopping for a small sedan, take this one for a test drive.