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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  "German Engineering" If thats the case, i want American Engineering back - 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
  By texasbulldog - July 10 - 1:54 pm

  Had it 3 weeks now. 4 miles after we "owned it" the windows failed and they dont go back up. They want over $400 for an Armrest. It only comes with the Moon-roof/"Leatherette" (vinyl) option. It Rattles and has HORRIBLE turbo lag and to top it off, real life mileage isnt that good. I wish we didnt buy it but my wife fell in love with the style. VWs solution right now for the window is to either not roll it down to tape it up because they dont have a fix for it. The Boost Gauge doesnt read like a traditional gauge and basically lying to the driver. The Electronic Steering really fights you if you turn sharp and the brakes are really mushy. German Engineering made in Mexico.

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  The best car i ever owned. - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gabe - July 9 - 11:10 pm

  I drove about 350 mi with my new car and I still have 1/2 of the tank full. Drives like a rocket, very solid feel. Did I mentioned that it is quiet and acceleration it so powerful especially up hill. I love this car the ride is comfortable. This is our main car from now on. I was diving the other day up hill and a Toyota Prius did have very hard time keeping up with the traffic. Bottom line go get one.

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  Carbon Build Up - 2005 Volkswagen Golf
  By Tom - July 9 - 9:50 pm

  We are loyal VW owners. We are on our 5th VW, a 2005 Golf TDI. After on 10,000 miles we had carbon build up on the fuel injector which was not covered by the 4 year / 50,000 mile warranty. The repair cost about $1,000. VW blamed the problem on WA & OR not having fuel standards. When asked if the vehicle was garaged in any other state would the warranty cover the repair - VWs answer was "no." VWs quality has gone down in the over the years and unfortunately this will be our last VW since the company will not stand behind their product.

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  Style versus Quality - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jrainer - July 9 - 2:13 pm

  My wife wanted a beetle ever since they released the new version. We bought a certified used, so had a warranty on it which has come in handy. Dont buy a Beetle without a warranty! We had 2 or 3 warranty repairs that would have been $400 or more. Now that its out of warranty, weve spent about $1,500 on repairs that are quality issues, from leaking cooling systems to exhaust pipe cracks to window motors. The interior looks stylish but cheap and is cheap. The armrest, mirror adjust switch, and a cup holder are broken. Sun visors are worthless; back seat folds down to an odd and annoying position; glove box is too small.

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  This Is Not Youre Sisters Golf - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By R32 Man - July 9 - 11:10 am

  This one great car! The seats hold you in very well and are very comfy leather seats. The interior design is nice, and the exterior design is excellent. The rims and body kit make it look beautiful. The exhaust note is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard, it sounds like a Ferrari. Only 5,000 were made so you rarely pass one by on the highway unlike the Evo or STi but yet some how my neighbors still have 2 R32s. If you like going to the track or doing autocross, look no further, this is instant autocross car with power all over the RPM range and a tight suspension that turns very sharply. It is an instant autocrosser

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  blast to drive - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By zoomzoom - July 8 - 7:53 pm

  Ive had nothing but good experiences after buying my zippy 1.8t Golf. After reading reviews of Golfs from hell I decided to buy a used one from a dealership, as a precaution if anything were to go completely wrong (NY dealers give 2 months warranties). The only small problem I have is the hinge on the glove box was broken, this doesnt affect the use. I also got this car because of my growing fear of the behemoth SUVs on the road that would have totaled my little old Honda. The car has great acceleration and lots of passing power when down shifting. Overall this car is a blast to drive. By the way, it has tons of cargo space for such a little car.

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  Jetta - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mico - July 8 - 7:33 pm

  Overall - a great car. Power of a V6 with gas mileage of a 4 cylinder, tons of room, feel very solid. Great value for the money - lease is very affordable If you feel like there is not enough power - just shift the transmission to S mode, and it flies.

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  Love the mileage - 2011 Volkswagen Golf
  By mered - July 8 - 10:46 am

  Had a problem the first week with a sensor that required a tow to the dealer to have replaced, ("never saw anything like this before") and a recall to replace a minor part a few weeks ago. Thus the 4 vs 5 for depedability. Otherwise, this has been a wonderful car. Bought it with gas mileage in mind, and get 38 around town, 48 - 52 on the highway, depending on how far I drive. Im a conservative driver. When needed, it has plenty of power. Fits both me (510") and my 62" husband comfortably. Only thing Id do differently is get a 4 door. So much easier for passengers.

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  A Great Value! - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By ReflexSilver - July 7 - 9:34 pm

  We cross shopped the Atlas with Mazda CX9, Ford Explorer Sport, Acura MDX and XC90. The XC90 was my first choice, however the Atlas gives you 90 percent of what the XC90 does for thousands less. In my opinion the Atlas is a tremendous value, you get more space a better warranty and arguably a more reliable powertrain then the XC90. The XC90 has a slightly nicer interior and has more power but the Atlas SEL comes with remote start, a hands free kick lift gate a pano roof and Android Auto and Apple Car Play etc. I honestly love my Atlas after 2,000 miles and its been headache free.

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  Instead of an SUV - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Gary in CA - July 7 - 2:20 pm

  I was shopping for small to medium SUV to replace my BMW convertible. This 2007 Passat Wagon supplies the fun-to-drive factor that I craved, with the cargo area that I needed, in a well-fitted, comfortable, full-featured package...and it kept me under my $30,000 ceiling. Im also delighted with the 23/31 gas mileage. As a bonus, my fashion-conscious fiancee will allow herself to be seen in and to drive my new Passat Wagon. This vehicle gets lots of style points.