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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  Expensive Fix - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SD - May 4 - 2:00 am

  The first 5 years I had the Jetta I absolutely loved it. Performed all routine maintenance as recommended and had no issues other than normal wear & tear (tires & brakes). Hit 90,000 miles and problems have not stopped. Exhaust check engine light came on, $1000 to fix vent fans for engine. Didnt do service and two weeks later check engine light went off and problem ceased. 1 month later airbag fault light came on, trunk wont lock and opens when I am driving! Passanger side window will not roll up, stuck about 6 inches down. Appear to be all electrical issues but fix is very expensive.

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  its a no brainer - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By klaus - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Have 2800 miles on the car and no problems. Drives like a rocket in some RPM ranges and like a donkey in other RPM ranges. You have to get to know this engine, which is a jewell, and that makes it very interesting. Best of all i am averaging 42 miles per gallon and tank up every 2 weeks on a 14.5 gallong tank getting 600 miles per tank. Diesel is at about $2.90 per gallon so that equates to about $38 bucks every two weeks. I drive 50 miles per day plus the usual errands. Love that diesel "Purr" when in heigh gears, it tells me I am in low compsumptionn mode. Blue Tooth is great even without navigation syst. Fit and finnish on paar with Audi, inside and out. Stereo wonderfull.

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  volkswagen review - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Stephanie Zeller - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I had an excellent experience when purchasing my new car!! Everyone was so helpful and kind, I would recommend anyone to go to Commonwealth Motors

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  I Love this Car, Its a Great Value - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Aaron - May 4 - 12:53 am

  Three weeks and two tanks of gas later I can say I have loved every minute in this car (especially at night ... youll see). Although I do have to say its been a real challenge driving moderately to break in the engine. Three weeks without redlining or driving full-throttle is absolute torture in this car. You can get up to 50 mph in second gear (and its hard to keep it under that speed). Im happy to report that the cars gas mileage is better than expected. The first tank of vigorous city driving achieved 24.7 mpg. The second tank I drove moderately (which equals somewhat aggressive driving to me), about 30% / 70% city / hwy driving. I achieved 30.3 mpg. This car has solid handling, performance, and a reasonable price.

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  Sounds Good on Paper - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By j.v. king - May 3 - 8:23 pm

  The Volkswagen Passat is really fun to drive, however VW makes sure that to keep any of their cars on the road you have to spend a ton of money. In the last two years Ive had four oxygen sensors replaced and had to pay for three of them. VW insists that this is not abnormal and would not pay for the expense (~$450 each time). Ive found that VWs are either really good or really bad from car to car, good luck with this one...I miss my 89 Jetta.

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  Hate to Park It - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By andi - May 3 - 5:33 am

  I love the turbo because it gives this car the kind of guts and power that I was looking for. Its also sophisticated, but doesnt feel stuffy or buttoned-down at all; the perfect blend of classic styling and an understated cool. Smart features like miles remaining on tank of gas, satellite radio, even umbrella storage... someone thought of details here.

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  Love It, Love It, Love It - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By mypassattdi - May 3 - 2:46 am

  I have had my Passat for a full year now and I love it even more today than I did the day I drove it home. The car is so fun to drive, so comfortable and who can complain about 36 MPG back and forth to work and 43 MPG on the highway? I absolutely love this car and it is not bad to look at either. Pretty much the only things I would change is that I would add more cupholders throughout the vehicle and the ability to completely turn off the headlights without shutting down the engine (I have to go through a guard gate to get to work and the guards yell at me all the time because I have my lights on in their faces).

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  Excellent Car - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By reducatione - May 3 - 1:06 am

  I just bought a new 2006 Volkswagen GTI. I came from a 2001 Audi TT. This car is very spacious, has quick exceleration, and comfy seats.

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  To Keep or Not to Keep! - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By Sean - May 2 - 9:53 pm

  I love this car! Something I havent said much over the 20 years since I first got my license. I have had 60 plus vehicles in that 20 years and this one stands next to my Stage 3 Roush Mustang and 69 Camaro (My first Car) in the all time, this cars a keeper ranking. The R32 does everything you ask of it and so much more. It has an interior that rivals cars costing $100,000 plus, the steering wheel seems to have been taken directly from an OMP or Sparco catalog and the exhaust note is usually reserved for Ferrari 360s and the like! Having said all that, the only thing this car lacks is a proper AWD system. The Haldex just doesnt cut it. Its not bad but true quatro would have been better!

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  Exceptional SUV that wont let you down - 2013 Volkswagen Touareg
  By touareg13 - May 2 - 11:28 am

  I dont like SUVs or "crossovers." Theyre slow, handle poorly and are simply boring to drive. This was my mindset until my wifes A4 broke down for the last time and the dealer gave us a Touareg loaner. I hadnt been familiar with the latest Touareg, but I was impressed immediately so we bought one. It looks great and is highly capable off road and in bad weather. We take ours for long roads trips around New England and its proven to be comfortable in Vermont blizzards, Maine logging roads and long stretches of interstate. Some may scoff at the high price for a VW but the fit and finish of the car is on par with any high end German car. Its a solid vehicle thats up for adventure.