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:

• 

  Fun, Fast, Sporty, yet Good Family - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Mike - February 28 - 8:23 pm

  I have owned this car for a month now. I will not coment on reliability, because at this point its unknown, although nothing so far. This car really has some of the most comfortable seats I have been in. My wife says the same, and she usually doesnt care much. It has very quick performance and get pass very easily, even in 6th gear. It gets pretty good fuel economy, about 27.5 overall, and I got as much as 34 on the highway average (although it takes Premium fuel).

• 

  wish it was better - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By trixxie - February 28 - 2:00 am

  you know i waited and saved up for this car and wanted to love it. but i have had more problems than i care to list. yes i had the peeling doors replaced and the power window still sounds like broken glass on every bump. i have had the front seats replaced. now the check engine light came on and stayed on. and i was told it was a compter error and was $900 to fix- but it wont effect the running of the car. i think it is terrible that VW doesnt stand behind the product. this is great if you have another car to drive while its in the shop.

• 

  au dDeezul - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By DeezulGolfer - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Have owned/driven new Swedish luxury cars for the past 14 years and recently crossed the line to VW Golf GLS TDI. It has surpassed every expectation. Many trips in excess of 1000 miles since November 2002 have been thouroughly enjoyed in this "fun to drive" etremely economical car. Flawless response in temperatures consistlently below -10 F and great road performance with 4 snow tires have made me an ardent fan.

• 

  Dont Be Fooled By Good Looks - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bobk - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned two older Beetles (63-69)and a 91 Jetta. As you can see I like VWs. I fell in love with the New Beetles looks and overlooked its flaws. After 66k miles I have to admit I made a huge and costly mistake. Problems include 2 blown headlights, both power window switches broken, passenger power window wont go up, uses alot of oil, dead battery while driving, replace starter and moisture in oil. Ive found out since that these are normal problems for New Beetle owners. During all of this VW wont do anything!

• 

  Cute, but.... - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ST - February 28 - 2:00 am

  I have had my new Beetle for almost three years now. As cute as it is (and it is!), I have had many minor frustrations for such a new/low mileage car. Such as: gas cap release lever broke, passenger side window broke (in down position, of course), window switch came right off in my hand. As someone who only owned Japanese cars, my first and only VW has been very disappointing. I would not buy another VW made in Mexico.

• 

  2003 GLX great car! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Passatman - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Impressive car to drive, smooth, quiet and fast. Lots of very nice touches. Better than the Jaguars, lincolns, and other expensive cars I test drove. Love the layout inside the car, love the firm but smooth ride, the silky smooth v6 and auto trans are tops. Loads of nice options on the GLX.

• 

  VW Quality - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By joeM - February 28 - 2:00 am

  I had 6 japanese cars prior to the Passat, the Passat does not come remotely close in regards to reliability. First 5 months had to go for repair of Homelink twice, Tire had a slow leak due to counterweight installed to close to valve stem. last weekend got stuck 250 miles from home with a problem known to VW for a while, had to be towed and repair took 6 hours to replace a defective coil. There is a VW advisory out on these coils, but they still refused to replace the other 3 in my car. the comment from the Corporate office is that I have to break down again for the second time before they replace the remaining defective parts.

• 

  Cool Vehicle - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Mr. Magoo7 - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Bug is fun to drive and handles very well. Plenty of power. I am getting 40 mpg in the city and Close to 50 mpg highway.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nick R - February 27 - 10:33 pm

  We love this car. Acquired as a lease and will buy it at the end of lease. Havent had any problems with this car and its great to drive around in.

• 

  dont buy a gti - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By lemongti - February 27 - 12:23 pm

  My 07 has less than 30,000 miles on it. Last week the transmission needed to be completely replaced luckily under warranty. Got it back and check engine light came on. Dealer said intake rotor motor needed replacing. Not under warranty and over 500 in parts and labor. The company sent an extended warranty on the camshaft because it has been found to wear out prematurely. I bought a new car in an effort to not get nickel and dimed on repairs. I guess I didnt get nickel and dimed they have all been major top dollar repairs. I will never even consider another VW or Audi or anything related.