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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  My favorite car to date. - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Phillipk - June 13 - 7:40 am

  I have had mine for 6 months and have absolutely no complaints. It drives wonderfully and the winter package is especially great in Minnesota. I also looked at the Honda Accord and Volvo S40. One change Id recommend, add Bluetooth like the Jetta in Europe. The button is there, but it does nothing.

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  Pretty good - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mike - June 13 - 4:26 am

  Ive only owned Hondas and one Subaru (a WRX) before this car, and I wanted something different and cheaper. I got a really low lease on this car. This car is fine. Its anonymous, comfortable-just real easy to live with. Its different than Japanese cars, though. It makes weird noises, and some of the controls seem counterintuitive. Ive had absolutely no reliability problems so far, which is unexpected.

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  Still in love 2 Years Later - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By BunyLuvr - June 13 - 12:20 am

  My 2008 Rabbit just turned 2 last week, and I love this car as much as I did the day I got it. Superb handling, fun to drive, comfortable, reliable - it has everything I wanted in a small hatchback. My neighbors have two 8-year0old Jettas that have been totally reliable, so I expect my Rabbit will be the same.

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  The Real Deal - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By radiogeek - June 12 - 8:30 am

  My 7th Passat, and 3rd of this "B6" series. Ive had NO reliability issues with any. The 2007 Wolfsburg Editions are late model year production with packaged goodies including 2008 wheel style; they appear identical to a 2008 Komfort model. I paid just over $24,800--some $3K off sticker. You cant get this much European car for the money anywhere else. Make no mistake--unlike the Audi A4, this is NOT a sports sedan. Suspension settings and steering effort have been softened and seats "Americanized." However, its a roomy family sedan with Euro flair and quality. Skip the thirsty VR6--the 2.0t engine is enough; its happy with the 6 spd Aisin automatic, and plenty powerful off the line.

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  torn between love and hate - 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By stace - June 12 - 2:00 am

  as soon as i got into my cabrio, i fell in love with it. unfortunately that quickly ended when my fuel pump relay system went two weeks after i bought the car (34000 mi on car). soon after i found out that my windows werent hitting the weather stripping, causing them to leak, which isnt covered under my 2yr factory warranty because it is an "adjustment." my front wheel tie rod went bad a few months ago, way before it should have. my window regulators are going bad as well. just yesterday my check engine light came on, so well see what kind of surprise i have in store next. its impractical for me to have my car in the shop 1-2 times/month.

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  Most Unreliable Suv Ever - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By tourjunk - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Has been at the dealer more than our garage. Doors do not shut properly, truck refuses to start 2 out of every five times.Dealership is awful, VW customer service is the pits. VERY DISSAPOINTED!

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  I love this car! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By mmcdonnell - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I really cant say enough good things about this car. I got the manual transmission and Im glad I did. The torque is a bit weak until about 2200 rpms, so its nice to have that freedom. Its comfortable all around and very nice on the highway. Its a good city car and Im averaging about 30 mpg. (85% highway). On long highway trips, I have exceeded 34 mpg.

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  Go for it!! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By sckartha@hotmail.com - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Owned the car for more than a year now. Its all that i asked for and more. Car looks damn good. I got the black GLX with tinted window. It looks classy. The interior is sweet. Compares to all the BMWs, Mercedec,etc. of the world. I was skeptical about the ASR. But last winter it drove like a dream through icy roads. Climate control very effective. Mileage not that great 20- 22 mpg. Service could improve a lot!! Make sure you do sufficient research about the dealer. Wind noise at >75 mph !! Beleive me you wont even realize it when this puppy goes over 80 mph. My next car will be the Touareg!!

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  Not Bad, Not bad at all.............. - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By Phatmonkey - June 11 - 10:00 am

  As always I am a high matainance person when it comes to cars. I am picky and a pain in the ass when it comes to choosing one. I love this vehicle, european design with smooth acceleration to boot (not DAS BOT). This car is a gem and i hope it serves me well.

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  Fun car with good value - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By pec4ad - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Golf GLS 5M on the last of Year 2001, now have 6000 miles on the odo. Great performance, beating many sport cars at the stop lights. Lots of fun to drive and good value for the money. The car did have some minor problems, I got three parts changed under warranty and one recall. So far satisfied with the purchase.