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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  An experience. - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By limee925 - August 19 - 10:00 am

  Liked the car for the ability to transport 2 German Shepherds and humans comfortably. Plenty of room and very comfortable with the heated leather seats and pretty good gas mileage. The steering was pleasantly weighted and got heavier the faster the vehicle moved, giving a feeling of solidity and feeling well planted and secure. Cruised well. Unfortunately after a mere 8000 miles of ownership, the engine compartment combusted today necessitating a 911 call to extinguish the flames.

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  Fuel Pump Failure - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mike - August 19 - 10:00 am

  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!! At 30,000 miles the fuel pump failed and VW is trying to pin it on me, even though this is a common problem. They asked me to show them my last 5 fuel reciepts. I dont save fuel reciepts, not many people do. The seats are not comfortable, my back hurts after riding in this car for a half hour. If they solve the fuel pump issue Ill either replace the driver seat, or have it redone by an upholstery shop.

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  Not Happy - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gecko06 - August 19 - 9:36 am

  I have had one thing after another go wrong with my 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. The window was out of alignment, the emergency break over loose, the inside panel rattled, the trunk wont open with the auto-button on key. It rides good but all these little things make us wonder why we gave up the Honda Civic for a cooler looking (but not built) car. Weve had to visit the dealer almost five times to solve these problems. For the Honda we just visited for oil changes and maintenance.

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  50+ MPG, 700+ mile range says is all... - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By DaveGNJ - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Since breaking the car in (at around 12,000 miles), my mileage consistently reaches 54mpg, with a range of over 700 miles per tank. I can drive it like a scalded cat and still get over 50mpg. Its a great commuter car, but be sure to get the 5-speed if youre looking at a TDI.

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  Not Bad For a Box Car - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Here for the Runnin - August 14 - 3:00 pm

  First, this car is a great travel car, the gas mileage is amazing! Performance and handling is great as long as you learn to get past the turbo lag (thank goodness for the 5-speed manual!). Interior could use some work. Plastic started popping apart at the 2 year mark and the seat does not accommodate heavier people which makes it uncomfortable to drive! It is not too bad with one child the way the front seats flip up and plenty of interior room! You can carry almost anything in this car and get there fast and for a factory radio it is great! I am not a big fan of box shaped cars but this one I have to say (since my hubby loved it) is not bad for a box car!

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  VW Golf To Feel - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By nihan - August 14 - 4:56 am

  I think the VW Golf is the best compact model in its class. Maybe the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are better than the Golf at a few points like fuel economy and build quality, but the Golf is much better in driving, gearing and performance.

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  No Problems-Love it - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By caz - August 13 - 10:33 am

  This is my 2nd Passat; I had an 03 as well and both were purchased new. Ive never had any issues with either of them. The 1st had 97K on it when I sold it, my current has 80K. Im considering waiting for the new Passat CC to come out. I prefer German cars over Japanese.

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  VOLKSWAGEN: No longer for the "VOLKS" - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By mcVT - August 11 - 9:16 pm

  After about five weeks, the transmission in my 2003 Volkswagen Passat failed (fortunately the warranty covered it, at no cost to us). Throughout the time that we have owned this car, we have had it in the shop for warranty issues more often than we like. There is always for some molding or other annoying piece that really has no business failing off. Despite the legendary quality of German engineering, little problems with this car have been getting to us, like the windows freeze shut at the slightest hint of ice and you cant open the rear hatch without unlocking it. It has been difficult as a family vehicle, particularly with two young kids and a dog. It is just too small for our family. Other than that, it has been a great car.

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  Fun to Drive, Very Luxurious - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Yak - August 10 - 9:30 am

  My 2001 Volkswagen Passat is a great car. It is fun, reliable, comfortable, and really feels like a luxury car. I get many compliments when I give people rides, or pick clients up from the airport with it.

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  Glad Im leasing - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Almost40 - August 8 - 10:00 am

  I leased this vehicle for a 3 year term. During that time I really enjoyed driving my Passat. I got what I expected.The car is more elegant than the Japanese and American competition. The more you drive it, the more you appreciate the superb engineering, especially when you drive other competing vehicles. Its downfall is reliabilty. Do not purchase this car for the long term and expect it to be as reliable as a Japanese vehicle. It went in for numerous repairs (tie rods, water pump, engine stalls,heated seats twice, transmission stuck in park) and failed to start on several occasions. It also died at idle may times.