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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  Better than anything in its class. - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By DSM - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This car simply blows away anything in its class in terms of quality and drivability. It is an absoulte dream to own. Sure, it is a bit of a premium compared to other cars, but it is worth every penny. And as for "higher end cars" near its class, still no comparison. The Passat is a classy car that is fun to drive. I have had no real problems with my Passat, and I have no intentions of parting with it anytime soon. And when I do, chances are it will be another Passat.

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  Better than anything in its class. - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By dsm - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This car simply blows away anything in its class in terms of quality and drivability. It is an absoulte dream to own. Sure, it is a bit of a premium compared to other cars, but it is worth every penny. And as for "higher end cars" near its class, still no comparison. The Passat is a classy car that is fun to drive. I have had no real problems with my Passat, and I have no intentions of parting with it anytime soon. And when I do, chances are it will be another Passat.

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  Luv the bettle - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bettleluvr - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is perfect. Its sooo cute even after being on the market for like 5 or 6 years people still stop and ask me about it. This car is awesome!!!

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  I LOVE THIS CAR - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By MERC to VW - July 19 - 8:23 am

  I have to say that going from a Mercedes to a VW I was a little skeptical but when I saw the car and test drove it I was in awe. I have to say that it drove faster and handled better than the $50,000 predecessor I traded in for this vehicle. I have to say this is a bargain and the best bang for the buck. You surely will not be disappointed. Trust me!

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  Fantastic - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Duck - July 18 - 3:26 pm

  Its time to hear from one of the many, many happy VW owners. This is my 4th new VW since 1983. All of my VWs have been very reliable and my Passat has been the MOST reliable so far. Thats why I keep buying VWs! My nearest Volkswagen service department is 120 miles from where I live. Ive only take the car in for its scheduled maintenance. The VR6 is very powerful and helps to make this car a blast to drive. The Dynaudio sound system is the very best Ive heard in any vehicle. This car is proof once again that the finest automobiles in the world are engineered just an on-ramp away from the Autobahn. Im selling this one to my brother who owns a 1998 Passat which has also been very reliable

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  Great Car to Drive - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By JpL322 - July 18 - 11:20 am

  This is the first VW I have owned and my previous car was a 91 Honda Accord. I love the preformance of the 2.5L engine paired with the manual transmission. The interior is deceptively roomy to me (62"). The quality of construction is the best that I have seen from all of the car companies I have shopped (Dodge, Chevy, Honda, Toyota). This car is by far exceptional in quality, options, and preformance for the price.

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  2015 Jetta 1.8 T auto trans rocket. - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Roger Ramjet - July 18 - 5:07 am

  This motor really was a blast to drive thru the mountains to Reno and back. Plenty of power even at high elevation. On the ride home I traveled 205 miles in 2 hours 40 min and used about 5 gallons of gas. This car has amazing performance with gas mileage approaching a hybrid. I may buy one.

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  Dont Buy a VW - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ihatevw - July 17 - 5:23 pm

  From the radio & power window buttons peeling off to the worst designed tire jack Ive seen, these cars are garbage. Volkswagen may make some sporty cars, but beyond the looks they are a big piece of crap. If youre looking for a reliable car keep looking but if youd like to drive a hunk of junk buy a VW. Never again will I waste money on a German car.

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  the Class of this Class - 2015 Volkswagen Golf
  By farfignewton - July 16 - 6:03 pm

  Great ride, superior handling (low profile 17 inch tires) QUIET interior, even on the highway, terrific interior, awesome (Fender 400 watt) stereo. Surprisingly spacious back seat and good headroom. VWs are not known for reliability, but it has a 5 year warranty on the engine and powertrain. Planning on using this car for a trip to FL, rather than my Mid-size, because its actually more comfortable (not to mention easier on gas).

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  problem after problem - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By j - July 16 - 1:56 pm

  I bought this car brand new and each yer I have had to pay out at least 2,000 or more a year for repairs, now my car needs a new engine. My car stayed in the shop for 4 mths at a time I have had to put my car in the shop at least 3 time a year