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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  Jetta tires in snow - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By susankha - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Got the Jetta TDI to "help the environment" because of its great fuel economy, and I drive SO much. I loved it the whole eleven days I got to drive it. The stock tires (all season tires) CANNOT handle any snow. There was a light snow and I was travelling on a road that hadnt seen much traffic when the back end whipped out on a slight curve. Ended up in a head-on collision. I give the car a fantastic rating for safety, and I recommend the car hightly, but for heavens sake, get snow tires immediately!!!!!

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  Sweet ride - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By LOLjeta - July 25 - 9:13 pm

  I have had this car for almost 3 years it has taken me all over california. We love this car. It is zippy, roomy and comfortable for long drives. The car heats up in no time, so taking it to the snow is awesome. It can also fit 3 full bicycles in the rear.

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  New Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Pat - July 25 - 1:20 pm

  I have less than 1,000 miles on my Jetta TDI so far. I got 35 mpg on my first tank of gas. Everything seems to work.

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  Great car - 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By wc - July 25 - 6:52 am

  I have not had any problems as I have seen others report . Makes me think they bought a used one that has been in a wreck. The Tiquan Handles very well. I have the 6 speed manual transmission and it makes it more fun for me. I think they have quit making the Tiguan with a manual transmiision in newer models now.

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  Buy one, youl love it! - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By DwightC - July 25 - 1:26 am

  This 2003 Golf TDI is without a doubt THE most fun car to drive of all the cars that Ive owned. (Actually, this is car #21). The diesel engine has tons of torque and really runs great matched with the manual transmission. The gears are smooth and shift even better than the Hondas Ive owned. This TDI has a nice little wheeze when the turbo is heard, but that is only when the windows are open. I love the moon roof and the Monsoon radio- the best stock radio in any vehicle Ive had. I like the visibility, too. The seats are very comfortable. I get a reliable 45 mpg, and I drive 80 mph. The maintenance has been super low and Ive done most of it myself. I would buy another TDI without a doubt.

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  Stunned - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Brian - July 24 - 10:20 pm

  If youre in the market for a sleek, classy & sporty sedan without the high $30K price tag - this is undeniably the only choice. A comparably equipped Altima, Accord or Camry costs more, yet this car easily matches the A4, 3 Series and IS in quality and style. I pulled up to my bank the day after I bought this and this gal pulled in beside me in her new 3 series. Her buyers remorse gaze at my new ride as was unmistakable. This car wants for nothing in style or performance. If I wanted a monster fast sports performer, Id buy a GTR. This car has everything and then some - all for $10K less than the usual suspects.

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  What a LEMON! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Disappointed!!! - July 24 - 10:00 am

  I loved this car when I first got it! Then the problems kicked in. By now Ive learned to live with most of them. It began with the windows and radio/cassette player having minds of their own. They did what they wanted when they wanted. I had the windows looked at and the radio replaced three times. Speaking of three, the starter was replaced three times. I replaced the tires, brakes, rotors, windshield wiper motor. The cupholder is a joke, can anything fit in there besides change? Electrical problems.

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  expected more - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By zac sr. - July 24 - 10:00 am

  I anticipated higher quality and far fewer problems, mechanical and functional (i.e. stuff breaking),than experienced with this car. Yesterday the cup holder disintegrated, something Americans cannot do without. I just made the last payment so soon it will probably go to one of the kids.

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  Hope you live close to the dealer - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By NancyM - July 24 - 10:00 am

  I have had to take my Jetta to the dealership 3 times in the last 8 months to get the windows fixed. The lift mechanisms keep breaking. So unless you live within 10 miles of the dealership, and even then it is a pain, the problems override the fun in driving.

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  Oh Ya! Awesome! - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dnyed - July 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Platinum Gray Turbo S for a few months now. I have never loved a car more. The 6-speed, the heated leather seats, Monsoon stereo, 17-inch wheels. Way too much fun. This is a "road trip" car. The headroom is excellent for my 64" hubby, he loves it. My first VW, traded 02 Explorer for it. VW from now on!