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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  nothing but trouble - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By np - February 3 - 10:00 am

  In 2 yrs, Ive had it in the shop to repair a cup holder, center arm rest, remote entry, broken passenger window regulator, broken driver side window regulator, leaky door sealant, and emissions (5 times). Quality feel has been a mirage. Absolute disaster and will never buy a VW again. Large number of 2 yr jettas in the used lot should have been a clear signal.

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  Awesome Car - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By avon1 - February 2 - 1:10 pm

  VW really messed up not advertising the Phaeton. If you want an all weather luxury cruiser this is it, period. It sure is a bargain in the used vehicle market right now. It has more well thought out bells and whistles than I can use. It absolutely puts my first generation Audi A8 to shame and it is a great car.

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  Really Good Car! - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Carboy - February 2 - 1:40 am

  The best car I have ever driven, I have driven a lot of the hatchbacks but none are as fun as the GTI to drive. The DSG is a very nice transmission that adds to the great performance of the car. The car that compares the closest to the GTI would be the Audi A3.

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  solid compact car - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By d_miller81 - February 1 - 1:43 pm

  This was my second Volkswagen. I bought this vehicle as a certified used car with a generous warranty. I have had NO problems with this car. It has never needed any mechanical service besides standard service. It handles great with "H" rated tires. I replaced the factory stereo with an aftermarket CD player, the factory speakers sound great. I get about 33 mpg on highway. this car is fun to drive and the 5 speed is smooth and simple. This car is bullet proof. It has gotten me out of trouble more than once with its awesome handling and braking. Cant say enough good things about this model.

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  Reaction vs. Reason - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Bostonian - January 31 - 5:50 pm

  I am an avid Honda/Acura fan and owner. Working on my 5th new car, I wanted something a little different. I checked out BMW, MB, Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, and to be fair Honda, Nissan, and Acura. When reviewing cars $30-$45K, no car had better MPG, better responsiveness, or more room. More importantly- none made me smile more while driving. Additional smiles were had while having all this fun for $10-15K less than the evaluated cars "in the ballpark". True- VWs and Audi are not known for the stellar reliability of Japanese cars, but they are still acceptable by todays standards. Sometimes you can listen to your heart while not giving up on your logic. I did. Thanks VW.

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  LOVE This CAR - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tgm_lgh - January 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my first VW, also my first OWNED vehicle, but its a GREAT car. Gas Mileage is the best. Trunk has lots of room.

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  Nice combo of performance and comfort - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By thebassmohn - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Its a really nice ride. Its typical European firm but comfortable. Engine is strong. It runs so easy to 85 and 90 miles per hour you dont notice how fast youre going. Nice handling. Leather seats, firm, sporty, and very comfortable. Tranny isnt silky smooth...first gear spins the tires on demand. Traction control is very nice and so is the antilock brakes...Back seat a little cramped but not important for me. Really nice sounding stereo. Getting 23+ in city and 28+ MPG on highway going 75.

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  Age of Aquarius! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By tmeyedoc - January 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd New Beetle Convertible. 1st was 2.0L Tiptronic...too little power. Went to 2004 1.8L Turbo 5 speed...When you accelerate in this car you feel like the front is lifting off the ground! The turbo made all the difference. Plus, the retro look in the aquarius blue is icing! I love my car!

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  Great SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By t rev - January 31 - 4:33 am

  Been driving the V8 w/ air suspension since new. After 75K miles I still love it. Electrical/computer issues at the beginning, but dealership fixed them and no problems since. Yes it eats a lot premium gas, tires and brakes, but it is a high performance vehicle. The trim is a little too VWish and wearing out too quickly. Carving mountain roads with the air susp and Pirelli tires is very impressive. Handles winter weather better than Audi A6. If you are comfortable with high operating costs and not having the finest interior trim, this is great high performance value when compared to the Porche, Audi, BMW products.

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  Better Bang For Your Buck - And Fun - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By mywagencan - January 30 - 4:55 pm

  20 years of Crown Victorias and Im loving my Sportwagen. 10000 miles in two months. Mileage is awesome, plenty of power - fun to drive. Comfortable seats and best equipped for the price. I couldnt be happier with my choice. On fairly level ground with cruise at 75mph and A/C on I was at 47mpg average over four hours! Drops in the mountains but still beats a V8 gas engine. Great looking car too. Thanks VW!