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:

• 

  Hop Hop Hop - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Felz - November 12 - 9:16 pm

  Had the car 6 months now and still love everything about it. Great stereo and picks up speed very fast.

• 

  Bought mine used and no problems - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bananarama - November 12 - 2:00 am

  bought my little GLS used with 40000 miles on it, and no problems to tell you about...As stated in other reviews, the cupholders need work, needs a bigger windshield mirror, and the 2.0GLS needs a 6 speed tranny...the 5 speed revs at 4000 rpms at 80 mph, sounds like the engine is going to blow!...All together, a very fun, reliable, gas worthly car to drive.

• 

  Owners found short love affair - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Terry Poole - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This car started out as a gem. The problem experienced are the same as most bug owners( window switch, window track, mirror knob, dead battery, trim coming off, abnormal tire wear, The worst being it burns oil and intermittantly runs hot. The dealers cant seem to correct the the last two issues.

• 

  Love it! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By PMeyer - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I had a 97 Jetta before purchasing my 01 Woflsburg in March of 03. I love it! I bought it with 20,000 miles on it....Only problem I had is that the senor for the hazard lights/turn signals had to be replaced at 22,000 miles...the clutch needs to be lubricated once in a while because of it squeeking. Other than that, Ive had no problems (keeping my fingers crossed)

• 

  Got to check out the Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Abbas Hassan - November 12 - 2:00 am

  The handling, the performance its just amazing. The towing capacity is great. Very luxury interior as well as german suv look.

• 

  Fun car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By johnnyballgame - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Excellent vehicle. Best Ive ever driven.

• 

  W8 - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By VWguy2003 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  What can I say, my previous car was a V6 GLX Passat and that car was almost perfect except that it didnt have enough power nor did I have the 4motion AWD. The W8 has abundant amount of power and the AWD system make this car stable as a rock in slippery conditions. I dont think I can go back to another 2WD vehicle again!

• 

  Try a TDI, Youll Like it! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kang - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2003 Jetta TDI wagon in April 03 and have driven it over 15,000 miles. At 6 4" tall, I find ample leg and head room thanks to an easily adjustable seat and telescoping / tilt steering wheel. The seats are firm yet comfortable for long trips. The 1.9 liter oil-burner is the quietest, smoothest diesel engine Ive ever heard. The 5-speed manual tranny and clutch work together in perfect harmony; the shift throws are short and crisp. An economical car as well as a "drivers" car!

• 

  Excellent performance and value! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By David - November 11 - 9:16 pm

  I just drove my new Jetta GLI from Atlanta, GA to Pittsburgh, PA and back. Going through the mountains in Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia I figured I would get 26 to 27 mpg. I got 30.7 on the way there and 31.8 on the way back. I was very impressed with the handling and acceleration up and down the mountains. On the road and when I did stopped for gas I got plenty of looks and a few people that just had to asked what kind of VW is that?! This is an awesome car and I recommed it to anyone who wants great looks, performance, fuel economy, and comfort in a sport sedan.

• 

  2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8T - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By greg - November 11 - 1:03 pm

  Overall, I am completely dissatisfied with this car. It is sad to say that I will never purchase a VW again! I wouldnt drive this car off a cliff! During winter it would not start. I took to the dealer 3 times and they said nothing was wrong. I paid a lot of money for supposed German engineering and quality that arent there.