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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  Excellent Car for New Married Couple - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By five - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is Excellent! We drove to the coast twice, Tennesse mountains once, 14 hours to Texas twice, and St. Louis once. This has been our luxury car. I have parked side by side to a 323i BMW, and the Passat has better ergonomics, design, layout, and comfort. Everywhere I go people ask me about the car. They want to sit in the drivers seat and take off! This 1.8T 2001.5 Sedan has serious POWER! I raced my grandmas Lincoln sedan and beat the snot out of her in the quarter mile. I have had the car up to 126mph without any quivering. Handling on the road - superb! I get 28.6mpg combined (city&hwy). I would recommend anyone to get this Volkswagen!

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  Great Car - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Doug - October 6 - 6:30 pm

  My 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI is lots of fun to drive, especially past all of the fueling stations. I have averaged 43.5 mpg since I purchased my car. My high hileage is 52.5 low mileage is 38.6. This car has a solid build and feels safe at any speed.

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  Great Choice! - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By mda - October 5 - 11:30 pm

  Lets face it-you can get from point A to point B in almost any vehicle. But if you are in the market for a small SUV and want to go in style, you cant go wrong with a Tiguan! Handling is very responsive, the ride very quiet and controlled, and visibility is great, including upward with the full length sun roof. The Tiguan is solidly built and the doors close with a satisfying "thunk". I have had my Tiguan for about 2 months (white gold with cashmere interior-very classy) and am getting 30 MPG (admittedly mostly highway).

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  Wagons are sexy - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By vwbliss - October 5 - 10:26 pm

  Ive had this Passat since January and the Mrs and I have put on almost 13,000 miles so far. weve driven it to Denver, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Duluth, Davenport, Milwaukee. gas mileage on the highway lately at 70 mph is giving back about 32 mpg and up to 34.4. for the size of the car that it is, the turbo is plenty of power and fuel economy is much better than the Taurus that i had last and the same 200 hp. i cant really say anything about reliability issues because i havent had any. the only set back to the car is doing solely city driving i get about 16 mpg, but if you do combination youll likely see 26.5 mpg so still much better than 19 mpg with a Taurus that i had previous.

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  2 years and 30,000 miles - 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
  By fordecoboost - October 5 - 5:03 pm

  Quite possibly the best vehicle I have owned and this covers GM, Chrysler, Ford, Austin Healy 3000, Volvo. Volkswagen Group(Porsche & Audi). (Ford F 150ecoboost not included, The Beast). Fuel Mileage is as advertised...20-29mpg overall. 2(2 -5,800 mile rts from California to Ohio, via southern and northern routes[28.5mpg avg. Speed to 105mph]. Tire wear(Pirelli) is at the half way point, brake pads are at 9mm. Vehicle speed control maintains speed when ascending long grades(ie, New Mexico and Arizona)Not true when decending. Was given a rather late model Infinity SUV while waiting on delivery of Vdub. What a joke! Like a buckboard with confusing controls. 6 inch watery marsh, no problem.

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  V-Dubbin in my Rabbit - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Atomicbri - October 4 - 10:50 am

  Ok I love this car! There is no doubt about it! It drives and handles excellently. I have the auto box and it is excellent. All around this is a great car for the money. I see a lot of owners here saying they are not as happy w/ the mpg and while it is a bit lower, I will take the fun to drive factor any day! I get about 30 on hwy and overall I have averaged about 27 total w/ mixed driving. Overall have never been to the dealership except for maintenance. My dealership is pretty friendly I live in Chattanooga where the new VW plant is being built and so the dealership there just got rebuilt and is top notch!

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  Excelent - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kevin - October 3 - 4:10 pm

  I would never buy any other station wagon. This wagon is more fun then most cars Ive ever had.

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  My TDI Wagon sips gas and zips along - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By balttdi - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I have had my car for about three weeks and have been delighted. With the manual, it has plenty of pep and is fun to drive. The mileage is awesome with the diesel, and this makes a big difference with fuel costs being so high now. The handling is great, and the ride is firm without being jarring. After eight years is a cushy and mushy Taurus, this car brings back the fun I had in my very first car, which was a stick shift Accord. The Jetta is also quite solid and can very quietly exceed the speed limit. 80 does not feel much different than 50. For utility, fun, and efficiency it is tough to beat this car.

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  Great SPORT wagon - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By naessj - October 2 - 2:33 pm

  Moved up from a 2000 Golf GLS. The build quality is excellent, very good road feel and on the road track. Low-end torque from the 2.5 is a little disappointing (compared to the Golf), it can be stalled quite easily. That said, the car is great, wagon very roomy (almost as roomy as my 2004 Passat Wagon). I recommend this car to anyone.

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  Amazing Vehicle - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By steveditt - October 1 - 2:33 pm

  Could not be happier, excellent workmanship and plenty of power with great gas mileage. Interior design and comfort were two things we liked viewing the vehicle at a local car show.Our test drive was over 70 miles and we were sold.So many features are included this car is quiet.German build was another consideration not built in Mexico.First trip over 400 miles and averaged 32 mpg plenty of power. Considered VW TDI S/W and Subaru Outback we felt the Passat was nore car for the money and a better ride with more comfort. The wagon has plenty of room . Purchased all my new waxing stuff to keep her nice,white gold ,black interior.