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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  Just got it - 2015 Volkswagen Golf
  By toyota420xp - May 31 - 7:37 am

  It has plenty of power well more than I need. I had a corolla before. Good mpg. Dont know how accurate computer mpg readout is but my mpg is always higher than EPA. Slightly slow from take off on really low rpm but then its great on power. Base speakers not fender are really good. Small car but Im fat and 5ft 11 and I can sit in the back,or front easily. I live in bumpy road vermont and ride is compliant. Corners well. looks way better than mk6 golf. Price is now affordable. Compared to toyota products everything you touch feels sturdy. All the bins are lined to stop rattles hood is lined has a strut to hold it up not a cheap metal rod. Reliabilty is left to be said. Seats are firm.

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  perfect car! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By stefanie - May 30 - 5:10 pm

  This is my first Volkswagen car that Ive bought and I know I made a great choice with the all new 2006 Passat. It is awsome to drive and I turn so many heads driving it! Anywhere I go people ask me what kind of car it is! I got a great deal on it too.

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  Great Highway Sipper - First VW & First TDI - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By ricknlaser - May 30 - 8:54 am

  I researched and negotiated a great deal over the internet with a local dealer. Got the color and interior that I wanted in the SEL (Opera Red with Black interior). Took over a month to get from the factory but has been well worth the wait. So far I have 2700 miles and have only filled (16 gal) the tank 3 times (first one on the dealer!). Great driving and handling. I have a 90 mile per day commute in busy highway with a reasonable amount of slow down and speed up type driving. So far - averaging 46 mpg in my 3 fill ups. It is really FUN to drive! Better than any Hybrid I test drove.

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  First VW - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By geo430 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  The car has performed very well in general, it truly is fun to drive. The oil filter has made oil changes a little inconvienent and the car uses about 1/2 quart between changes. 1st to 2nd gear is rough if you rev it up. The ride is great.

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  A super car for the money. Great value - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By billiebob - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive already submitted a longer review on the Jetta in general. No other car maker offers such a combination of features for the price. How else could you get: sport suspension with top of the line touring tires gorgeous german BBS wheels 4 wheel disc ABS 6 airbags sport seats interior leather accoutrements 6 disc CD changer sunroof A fast turbo engine The list goes on and on! the audi A4 has the same features (plus leather) for almost 8000 more! Forget it and buy the Jetta. Ive had NO problems in 35000 miles!

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  2003 VW Passat: Beyond the call - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By leica - May 30 - 2:00 am

  A super nice auto! Well made, fun to drive,comfortable,safe and affordable. Volkswagon is killing the competition! A 15 year BMWer who is equally happy with a bunch of cash to spare. Very Well done.

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  Excellent Value! - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By joepalace - May 30 - 1:47 am

  Just brought on 10/14/2012. Excellent value! used 0% $0 down financing and 3 yrs of maintenance included. I was afraid leatherette seats where going to look cheap, but they actually look great and are very comfortable. In fact they are more comfortable than my Infiniti I-30 leather seats I just traded in. The space in the back seat is great as a full size adult fits comfortably. The premium entertainment is wonderful and the ipod/iphone integration is excellent. Bluetooth works perfectly. Acceleration is up to par with what you expect on this type of vehicle. Its not a racing car, so acceleration is what should be considered normal. So far a great choice!

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  VW Problems - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vwjasonr - May 29 - 3:53 pm

  When I purchased my 2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6 it was fun to drive. Then I noticed I was not getting the fuel milage as advertised. I always had schedualed matenance done on this vehicle, but once one thing happend it was a domino effect. From O2 sensors to the transmission sliping, needing a new fuel pump and injector, this car has been a nightmare. The check engine light remains on, even after the work I did to it. The traction control and EPC lights wont disapear either. I only get 16 mpg. I might as well drive an SUV. I talk to people all of the time with this vehicle and they have similar problems.

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  2016 S - 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Drew - May 29 - 3:30 pm

  Ive been leading a 2016 Tiguan S for about a month and so far I am very happy with it. The stock stereo is great, it rides and drives like a Golf, the interior is well thought out and feels much higher quality than its price would imply. Not sure if VW rates their engines at the wheels but every FWD model Ive seen dyno results on matches VWs power output claim, so in reality the engine is likely putting out 230+hp and 240+lb-ft, and it feels like it. Im coming from a modified, 400hp Taurus SHO so I was expecting a huge let down. Im quite happy with the getup and go this car has. Im also averaging 20.5 mpg in the city (actual city) and 28 on the highway with cruise at 75. Now for my complaints: no satellite radio on the base model. Seriously? Almost everyone else has that. As a satellite radio subscriber this let me down, but not enough to outshine the merits of the rest of the car Trunk is small. Very small. Like cant fit my collie mix comfortably in the back with the rear seats fully reclined. Fortunately this can be overcome by sliding or angling the seats forward. All things considered I think this is the most underrated small SUV on the market

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  Very Impressed - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Hawkster00 - May 29 - 11:36 am

  There was no way I was going to buy a "mini-van" but my wife convinced me so I got her one for Christmas. Needless to say I was very impressed with all the features you get with a SE model. It drives like a dream and my daughter loves watching movies on car rides to the grocery store. Dont buy a mini-van, buy a Routan.... :-)