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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  Ride On - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Leapin Larry - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Only thing they forgot were good cup holders, a CD player, and a real glove box. Everything else is supream!

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  a foreign junk - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By screwedup - September 22 - 10:00 am

  this is a piece of foreign junk. Just drive it for not more than 24000 miles, got quite a few problems. Bad luck? dont think so. VW should do better job on its qulity and customer services.

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  What a joke - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Clown - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Loved it the day I bought it. But I know its going to leave me stranded. Obviously the warranty is only 2 years... cause these sexy cars are crap! Every 2000 kilometers with the 2.0L 5 Speed, I add half a litre of oil and yup, 3 dealers say thats normal. One dealer said it was because the pistons are oval and they change shape while they warm up. But the other 2 dealers didnt say that??? The interior door handles peel front and back (they recognize the problem but wont replace them all - just one by one). The fuel door solonoid sucks... carry a toolkit and oil. Do I ever miss my Honda Accord.

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  Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6 - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By brentes - September 22 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very nice. It is very luxurious, and with the real wood trim, makes me feel like Im driving a BMW.

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  cupholder/cd player - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ap - September 22 - 10:00 am

  FYI: If you have them install the cd player below the radio component, I find it is easier. It still is far from perfect though.

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  Poor mans BMW - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JCHAG - September 22 - 2:40 am

  This car is a great value. It is supremely comfortable for folks over 6 tall, only Volvos have more comfortable seats. The interior is very upscale for a $23k car. The new audio and climate controls, and new gauge cluster are easy and add a touch of class. The power and handling are incredible too. I never thought comfort and performance could be had in spades, together in the same car. Averaging 30+ MPG combined driving with a lead foot. Love the thoughtful features like climate system going into recirculate mode when you use the windshield washer or go into reverse.. prevents fumes from entering the car. There is also tons or room for a car this size, and a 16 cubic ft trunk

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  Turbocharger Intermittent - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Longfellow - September 21 - 5:36 pm

  To start off with, I like the styling of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI. I also enjoy the TDIs fuel economy. However, the Turbocharger stops working intermittently. I have had the car back to two different dealerships on five separate occasions to repair of the turbocharger. The cruise control disengages intermittently, as do the daytime running lights. I too, have experienced the inability to remove the ignition key from its slot on the steering column several times. I still do not know why that has happened. The front seats bottoms are a bit short in length and there is not much padding under the leather. You can feel the closed cell polyurethane foam that lines the seat bottom upon ingress and egress.

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  I wouldnt recommend wasting your money - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By junebug - September 21 - 10:20 am

  Ive had the worst experience with this poorly built car, um, jalopy. I too bought my car new in 2001. Since then Ive had to maintain this car for every reason under the sun. I should have known when the interior paint started to peel; an exterior signal light fell out of its socket; and a piece of my sunroof came apart within the first year of the purchase. I can also let you know Ive replaced all my tires; brake pads; and light bulbs! This car has German engineering, but it is built in Mexico! I expect the engine to quit in less than a year or so. My check engine light is always on, despite repairs. I learned my lesson, Im going back to Japanese cars. :)

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  Dont Buy One - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tom - September 20 - 9:53 am

  I have owned VWs over forty years and this car has been the worst. Over the five years I have owned the car Ive kept up the required maintenance. When it needed service it was done, when things broke I fixed them, no short cuts. I have cv boots failing with less than 40000 miles, an expensive repair, over $400. I had the water pump fail at 64000K, over $1000 to repair. I had to take the car back twice to put the car back together correctly. VW refused to back the car because it was out of warranty, so much for loyalty. And now the car dropped an exhaust valve 73000, the repair is over $4200. VW did come to the plate and offered a "final offer" of $2200 to help pay the repair bill.

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  Just about perfect - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By MrRizzo - September 20 - 7:43 am

  Traded 2006 Passat 3.6 for GTI taking advantage of owner loyalty credit and 0% financing. Im extremely satisfied with my purchase and look forward to getting in the car every day. The Passat was a nice car, but zero fun to drive. The GTI is an absolute ball. This car reacts to every thought like its hardwired to your brain. The suspension is firm but supple, taking bumps better than the Passat did. Im averaging 23 MPG in stop and go driving vs. 15 MPG for my V6 Passat. I had read all the hype in the car mags and I guess, well, its all true!