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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  Past, Present but NOT future owner - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Peter - March 19 - 4:26 pm

  Shame on us for not taking a closer look at the car during delivery, after we arrived home we noticed holes in the front bumper. Apparently the car was transferred from a dealer in a state that required front licence plates, in Michigan they are not required. First call was to the dealer - "sorry nothing we can do, but good news we do have a new bumper in stock if you would like to buy a replacement". Well, OK, then. So step two: call VW customer support. They happily assigned a "customer advocate" who called the following day. To quote: "sorry but this is an issue between you and the dealer, there is nothing we will do!" - WOW - what a great case study poor for customer support.

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  Loved this car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Chuck - March 19 - 5:20 am

  I had one of these cars and i absolutely loved it. No problems other than a headlight going out (which the dealership fixed for free) In 2006 when the lease was up my wife wanted a new car so we got a Mazda 6 GT it didnt last a year before $15.000 engine repair. I changed to an Asian car because they are supposed to be so reliable, now I am looking for another VW.

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  great car! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By playo - March 19 - 2:00 am

  this car was great when i bought it but i thought the ride was a little soft. i also got used to the power rather quickly. so, i got a turbo chip and now it has 210 hp, 247 ft-lbs of torque, and its much more fun to drive now. i probably need a larger exhaust to handle the extra pressure from the turbo. i also put on lowering springs, stiffer shocks, a rear anti-sway bar, and 18" Volk wheels. now its super fun! no problems with the car that havent been fixed quickly under warranty, and those were very few. great car, especially for the money!

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  Best GTI ever - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Hillview6 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This VW GTI is a good mix of performance and economy. The engine -- transmission combination is as good as they come in a sports car. The interior, espically the instruments and audio equipment compliment, are easy on the eye --and mind . Finding a manufacturer that still produces a hatchback design was a reminder of their focus on practicality and customer needs .

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  A great vehicle for detail reps. - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By 54implant - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I am truely enjoying my Touareg. 17 MPG is what I am currently receiving, and I think that that may increase over time. I purchased the basic V6 model without any extras, and for a work vehicle, I can say that it is more than I expected. I am amazed about how many other drivers in Houston, are stopping to look at the vehicle. If VW would advertise more, I think that you would see additional Touaregs on the road.

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  best suv - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By george caven - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle pleases me with performance and appearnce both inside and outside. I feel it is better than any other first-class suvs.

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  Best Rig Ever - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By luvmytouareg - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Totally comfortable and powerful...a smooth ride.

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  Great Car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Blownaway - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I love my Passat, and the service that comes with it is fantastic

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  Uber Wagon - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By guyspat - March 19 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I looked at a Saab 95 and Volv0 V70, but the GLX Wagon had the best combination of features (Onstar and Memory Seats that drive the price of the 95 to $40,000) and price. The only thing missing was a little exclusivity and Xenon headlights. Gas economy seems very poor, but I expect it to improve as we put more miles on the car.

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  This car saved my daughters life - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By VWFan - March 19 - 2:00 am

  In March 2003, my one-year-old daughter and I were involved in a rollover accident on the interstate, which occured when I lost control of the car (note: 2001 model I was driving did not have stability control). Thanks to the superior safety of the VW Passat, we were both able to walk away from the accident without a scratch. The car was totaled, and I immediately went out and bought another just like it. I would recommend this car without reservation to anyone with small children.