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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  Turning Heads - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CSM1969 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  The new GLI 1.8T (2004) has got to be one of the most explosive Jettas yet. Everywhere I go, people are oohing and aahing at the sleek (european) styling, that of BMW and Mercedes.Your everyday demeanor flies out of the window as soon as you let out the clutch and the daily stresses seem to have disappeared when shifting into 6th gear. I have found myself early to rise on the weekends, so I can get my car onto the mountain roads of Colorado where the GLI is at home.

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  Keep on Rollin On... - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jay - June 7 - 12:13 pm

  When gas went up to $1.75 a gallon in July 01, I purchased the Jetta GLS TDI. I got great gas milage right off the lot. I averaged in the first two years 32,000 miles. After five and a half years, I have over 129,000 miles. Over the lifespan I have averaged 49 - 52 mpg. If the maintenance is kept up and it is driven as any diesel should, long trips, you shouldnt have too many issues.

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  Mixed Bag - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By takaouna - June 7 - 1:56 am

  This cars pros include its nice Interior, 6 speed auto transmission with Tiptronic and S mode, how it is loaded with options for a base model, its safety features - SAB/SC, ABS, traction control standard, its good torque, and how it is a new model. Its cons include its dreadful fuel economy for this class of car (19-20 mpg), how its 5-cyl. engine is rough for its size, its rattles, concerns about interior build quality, its weight for car of this class, its lack of acceleration, poor VW sales and service experience, and VWs poor reliability history.

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  Great all around sedan - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Cruisin9 - June 6 - 1:53 pm

  I purchased my Passat for use in everyday commuting to and from the office. I decided on the V6 with tiptronic due to its smooth, powerful and quiet operation. The car is comfortable and quiet with just enough sportiness to keep me interested on twisty mountain roads. Overall an excellent car in the highly competitive mid-size class.

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  We love our EuroVan - 2000 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By cgreen - June 6 - 10:00 am

  this is the second VW Van weve owned. We love it. Its amazingly versatile and extremely comfortable. There are so many well thought out features that it would be hard to describe all the good things VW built into this model. We expect to keep this van for many years.

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  Good Car - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Flower Mound - June 6 - 10:00 am

  My VW is a 1997 VW GLS with some of the bells and whistles. The only compliant I HAVE is problems with it are the electrical system> It has 85000 miles and has been a generally fine car to drive and own.

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  expensive annual maintenance - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By LA-SF-commuter - June 6 - 10:00 am

  My 15-yr old 535i BMW is more reliable than Passat. Did extensive research & test drove other cars. PRO: Crash tests ratings. Affordable, styling, turbo. CON: Expensive yearly maintenance. Terrible cruise ctrl, air- con, tires, stereo. WEAK on take off, 1st gr. Many small parts broke down (no good reason). So-Calif service GREAT: still under warranty, made repairs. Nor- Calif. service HORRIBLE: no warnty, paid expensive annual repairs. VW treats you well until warnty ends, then gouges customer. BIG PROBLEM: air-bag sensor defective after 3 yrs! VW tried to blame us. CONCLSN: Buying a new car soon. A VW Passat is not even in my radar screen.

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  Sarahs Bug - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By freeman525 - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive but totally unreliable--Check Engine light stays on even after repeated trips to the selling dealer-- Interior: a niggtmare- plastic casings at seatbelt housing, temp gauge... have roken repeatedly after normal use

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  Jetta Gli - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By PLAYAZ - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Great performance for the price. All aroung great inside and out. the hp boost for the 2003 yr (25hp) is wonderful and leaves 02 owners wondering why im so quick. also with Esp (electronic skid protection) standard for 03, i have more confidence driving here in the wet weather.

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  Horrible Car - Stay Away From This One!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By MJEPilot - June 6 - 10:00 am

  HORRIBLE CAR!!! Poor ride and handling (shakes violently above 50mph), annoying click-click-click sound when stopped, embarrassing pick-up speed, horendous gas mileage. Main reason to not buy this car is Volkswagon Credit. Sent in payment every month, every month they would cash my payment check and then call me to tell me I never paid. I would have to pay my bank to send me a copy of the check to fax to VW Credit to prove it to them. You say "simple mistake by VW, probobaly only happened once or twice" - try eight times and others have told me of similar experiences. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - poorly designed by poor people.