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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  It is not your fathers VW - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Soon Reach - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 1998 Beetle only to have BIG problems with it. By 50,000 miles I had replace 4 headlights, 6 driving lights a brake handle, 5 window switches, 5 inside door handles, 3 radios and a set of brakes and rotors. Then the trouble really started. Two radiator fans, engine fuse box, air conditioner conpresser, computer and more. So, I figured it was just the first year of production, surely they worked out the bugs! NOPE! I got a 2000 Beetle and still had the minor problems plus a new clutch at 30,000 miles.

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  No good - 2006 Volkswagen Golf
  By rover - December 28 - 4:23 am

  My 2006 Volkswagen Golf has too many faults. Beneath that classy exterior and interior lies a medicore engine (at best) and shocking reliablity. So far, roughly 20 things have things have gone wrong wth my car, including the tire jack collapsing, two locks broken, and two engine misfires. Im the only one using the car, so there is no evidence of heavy usage (why does the passenger lock break if nobody ever uses that door?) There is much too much oversteer when cornering, maybe because it handles very well and therefore you tend to drive fast around corners, however, if you want the car, get it with EPS (stability control) to avoid this problem. The fuel economy is poor - around 12 liters city, and 9 liters hwy.

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  Beware! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shallquist - December 27 - 6:28 am

  This review is for the 2009, but based on my research affects all TDI models. All TDIs have a High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) and they are prone to failure when the diesel fuel gets contaminated. My Diesel somehow got water in the diesel and apparently based on the rust in the tank this had been an on going problem. At 107000 miles the fuel system had to be replaced to the tune of $5,800 dollars. Apparently diesel fuel standards in the US are lower than that of Europe and VW hasnt taken that into consideration. Please CONSIDER this when purchasing.

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  Suspect Ride - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Former VW Fan - December 24 - 1:06 am

  Although this car is somewhat fun to drive, it has been anything but reliable. On third set of brakes after 65000 miles. Several warranty repairs and recall work done in 6 years. Fuel economy has been livable but should be better for such a small car. These cars do not deal with cold weather very well. On third set of weather seals around doors and their still ripped and warranty is up and not their problem anymore. Ice gets trapped in door hinges. Electrical problems as well. Poorly designed car.

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  Problems - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JETWHITE727 - December 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my first VW and to be honest it will be my last. I have had no major problems with the car , however a number of minor issues. I think anyone who is looking to buy VW should look around before buying.

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  Jetta, not living up to long term rep - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lizzie - December 12 - 3:16 pm

  I had two Jettas. The first 2006 Jetta I had I bought brand new and ended up getting it replaced because I had to replace the driver side door seal three times along with several other electrical problems. The dealer gave me another Jetta after that fiasco and ended up having even more problems. I had so many wiring and mechanical problems. My trunk actually flew up on I35 in the middle of a roadtrip with all of my stuff in the back because of an electrical glitch. Also, the dealer didnt follow through on service like they said, ESPECIALLY with tire car, and I ended up having to replace all 4 tires within only 20,000 miles. One of them was replaced TWICE. I no longer drive a Jetta.

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  Too pretty for the problems - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mmarys - December 10 - 8:35 pm

  This is my "first purchased" car (previously owning a 2008 kia sportage) I recently bought this car with 128k miles on it because of its looks, gas mileage, and comfort. I test drove it and fell in love with it, however it was a mistake. The transmission is going out. It only happens whenever I go over 60mph in stop and go traffic, the car gets stuck in 6th gear and the rmps are really high for how little I press on the gas. I really regret purchasing this car, I paid cash for it so unfortunately I cant do anything about it. I refuse to replace the transmission because itll cost as much as I paid for it. Im already saving for a new car and it wont be a vw. I miss my Kia.

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  6 failures change tires @ 15k mi - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Jack - December 8 - 12:00 am

  Dash lights failed. Entire assembly needed to be replaced. Tires worn out at 15K. Dealer recommends alignment when tires changed. At slow speed turns it feels like the U joints are catching and releasing. Told it is caused by the tires that need to be replaced. Warning lights appear and need to be "recalibrated." Accelerator pauses occasionally. Told it was the brakes that dont allow the accelerator to function - not true. Very expensive car for this to happen in 6 months.

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  Fun to drive but too many problems - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By adam - December 2 - 10:10 pm

  Car has been sent back to dealer six times for different repairs. After driving 3,000 miles, car was broken down on busy street. Every December, when weather gets cold, the malfunction light was on since purge valve was broken. Last year, trunk wont latch. Last month, a engine pipe was broken. Now, when applying brake, a lot noise from passenger side dash board. From begining, Driver seat lowers on itself after driving 300 miles in about a week. Dealer installed new seat but new seat has same problem. Now, vw and dealer reject to do anything since they dont know how fix. One of technicians in the dealership said that his 2004 Jetta has same seat problem.

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  LEMON - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By zozo - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I had my car 4 days and I had to take it back (Car was brand new, it had 3 miles when I picked it up) Anyway the dealership ended up making my 1st car payment because they had it a month. The car had to have its breaks replaced and the sensor panel replaced (IN A BRAND NEW CAR), and the window kept coming off track and the car was taken back 4 more times due to the breaks.