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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  Nice little car Little Tight inside - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CJL - December 11 - 12:50 am

  So far so good. Car is FAST. Little tight in the back seat but a real fun driving machine. Car handles great and is quick off the light however have a hard time keeping the tires from spinning. A very solid performer.

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  European Prestige and Class - A true BMW / MB / LR - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Vinod - December 10 - 4:50 am

  I purchased my VW Touareg V8 after doing a lot of research and testing all the competitors, like the Mercedes-Benz ML 350, Land Rover LR3, BMW X5, and Volvo XC90 V8. The Touareg impressed me the most with its excellent handling (you can do 60 mph round a tight bend and feel totally in control), excellent handling, superb V8 engine, lots of cool technology and excellent VW customer service. Of late, VW has taken a real hit with the customer service, but they must have learned, because the service I received was exemplary. I only have 600 miles on the clock, but it must be said that the VW drives like a dream. My only minor complaint would be the use of too much technology.

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  Luv my Passat! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Commuting girl - December 10 - 2:00 am

  This is the most comfortable car Ive owned yet! I commute between Huntsville, AL and Atlanta, GA twice weekly. My Passat has the tiptronic (its both an automatic and a stick shift) and it provides a TRULY ENJOYABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE! I would strongly encourage anyone whos looking for a great car to look at the Passat. It has more room in the back seat than its luxury equivalent, the Audi A4. Its a great soccer car too!

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  Why buy anything else? - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Steve Arrivo - December 10 - 2:00 am

  This is a superb car. I currently have an A4 1.8TQ as well and this is just as good. The car is solid as a rock, get huge gas mileage (35-38 highway) and fits everything we could ever want to bring on a trip with 4 people (2 kids). Get a roof rack and carry the bikes, no problem. Only gripe - seats are too big and soft - must be for big butts.... Oh yeah, it has killer resale as well. Check the cost of ownership and be pleasantly surprised.

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  Really, Dont Do it! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By grumpyJettaOwner - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I have spent so much time in the shop with this car it is hard to think where to start. I really hate it. I have heard that if you can get one that was made in Germany, they are good quality cars. Mine was made in good ol Mexico, and have trouble with it regularly. fuel pump, window motors, AC pump, fog lights, head lights, and so on. The muffler fell off. VW wanted $400 just for the part. ouch! I spend no less that $1,500 on it annually.

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  All around great car - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jackneye - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for nearly three years and have been very happy with it thus far. I have never had a problem with the car and it drives like the way it did when I drove it off the lot. The interior is really comfortable, the engine is quiet and smooth, yet powerful, and it is a great car for children with car seats. The styling is still attractive and it is fun to drive. This is the only car that I have owned that I would buy again. Kudos to VW on making a great car at a competitive price.

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  passat lemon - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By jgl - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this car for two years, gives a superb drive, lots of room and easy to handle. I have had continual problems with the radiator, engine leaks, ball joints, rotors, and overall engine problems. Gas mileage is poor. Car is just unreliable.

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  cute but unreliable - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gil - December 10 - 2:00 am

  owned my GL (auto) for 2 and a half years. Its a fun car to drive. But it constantly has some kind of troubles. First, the cable of the fuel filler has been fixed twice. Now its broken again. The windshield wipers kept making bad noises even though I had it adjusted/filler changed every time I went to a dealership. I finally solved the problem by changing the whole blade sets with those inexpensive ones from Walmart. Ironically, dealerships could not solve it! Third, engine light was on and signal light did not work once.Last, the engine consumes oil. Worst, the dealerships wouldnt even mention it when you bought the car.

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  I am screwed - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By judeboscure96 - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2002 1.8t. While I have no complaints with the handling of the car I am concerned about its reliability. I have had to have a linkage replaced on the tiptronic transmission. My monsoon stere system kept shutting itself off or wouldnt go on at all. The finish on the drivers door handle has all but peeled off. The cup holder is a mess and whats with no cupholders in the back seat at all? The A/C is anemic. My first VW and my last.

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  I love mine - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Goodspeed - December 10 - 2:00 am

  The dealership has been amazing. So far no warrenty problems or anything at all. The car is flawless. It has a beautifully appointed interior with two tone leather, heated seats and sunroof. it has 180HP 6spd and is good for 6.6 0- 60. This car is no slouch