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:

• 

  airbags deploying, why? - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By trynsumthinew - August 18 - 1:23 am

  "What else could go wrong?" Yeah, that should be my headline as well. After the second week I purchased the vehicle my check engine light went on, not a bog deal, my warranty took care of it...but then everything else started going out on me: driver side and curtain airbags deployed for going over a "small" pothole, passenger heated seat went out, o2 sensor went bad 3 times, rear windows stopped working, am radio wouldnt work, edc braking system failed, vehicle stalled multiple multiple times! My car has been in the shop and have cost me a hell of a lot of money. As I am writing this review, my car is being worked on and God knows how much this is going to cost me!

• 

  So Shoddy Yet So Cute - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By B & A - August 17 - 9:30 am

  Ive had my 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle for seven years now. Ive had to replace one too many things...a transmission failure at 48,000 miles, the engine literally fell out on the freeway due to faulty motor mounts, I have replaced 2 CV boots, window buttons, light bulbs behind the dash at 20,000 miles, air conditioning, MAF sensor, amongst many other things not to mention cruise control that doesnt work and Ive even tried passing a vehicle once on the highway and my car didnt respond with speed... instead started slowing down by 30 mph! VW used cheap interior materials throughout the car and a 2.0 engine that only pumps out 115 horsepower and sucks gas like its going out of style. Will VW ever get it right?!?!

• 

  Love the car - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By William menking - August 17 - 2:56 am

  I was a reluctant VW buyer-I really wanted an Audi Avant but economic reality helped make the decision for me and I am very pleased with my purchase. I should state that I love European station wagons for their design, practicality and maximum space on a non SUV platform. I purchased a 2009 SE Jetta Wagon and whoever claimed they were "luxury economy cars" got it right. I once owned an Audi A4 and I loved it but this VW is as much fun! Forget the Passat wagon-if you love European wagons get this one and you will be thrilled at how much car it is for about $25,000!

• 

  Such a fun car - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By MarcoN - August 17 - 1:16 am

  So, I had to come back to Edmunds and write a review. We debated over the CC, and the somewhat comparably priced entry levels from Lexus, Infiniti, and Audi. Hard choice picking the VW over the "luxury" brands, but I have to tell you that it was definitely worth the name plate trade off. Extremely well built, solid car; very fun to drive, with a lot of pep for a 4-cylinder; like others have noted, unlike the entry level luxs, you will get plenty of looks. So many people have stopped my wife and me and asked what type of car it was, or just complimented the style and look. We bought a luxury model fully loaded (backup camera, bluetooth, nav, etc.) in the blue/gray. Would recommend to anyone.

• 

  Tornado sport - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Maat953 - August 16 - 8:36 pm

  A great replacement for a Saab. We drove them for over 25 years. Sport w/ headlight steering package, 1.8 liter turbo has a lot of low-end torque. We just finished a 800 mile trip- w/ac on and averaged 36 mpg! Im 62"and my 510" daughter can sit behind me. We absolutely love this car.

• 

  Jetta Needs Better Headlights! - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ecodude - August 16 - 4:23 pm

  I love my new Jetta! It handles well and its a pleasure to drive so far! The only BIG PROBLEM is the stock headlights! Both high and low beams are so weak that its dangerous to drive on dark roads with turns that come up on you! Volkswagen needs to provide all Jettas with higher powered Halogen or HID headlights before people start getting killed! Nobody wants another Toyota situation! Right?

• 

  Greatest car Ive owned - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By LovemyPassatGLX - August 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my Passat for over two years, and have had no problems at all. It is fun to drive, handles well...only problem is paying attention to not drive too fast..

• 

  Wow - Its more than just a car! - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By TrappedOnEarth - August 16 - 10:00 am

  This car has personality. It is a sheer delight to drive. Style, comfort, and power, it has it all and more! Handles well. Great engineering. It appears bigger on the inside than one would guess from the outside. Very safe as well. A real car for the new millennium!

• 

  Best Car Ever - 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Anonymous - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving for 50 years and have driven most makes and models from GM, Ford, MB, RR, Audi, BMW, Low budget to > $70k and this is the best vehicle I have ever driven! Solid, quiet and fuel efficient. The safety features are great, and the looks speak for themselves, understated elegance.

• 

  Dont Do It - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By UnfortunateSoul - August 15 - 2:23 pm

  I bought my Jetta in August. In November, I had an A/C issue, fixed w/warranty. In July I had a brake problem - needed brand new rear pads and rotors due to some horrible manufacturing issue. Not covered under warranty since I was past 12,000 mi. August 2007 (one year later) I find paint chipping from the rear passenger window frame. Very unhappy w/this purchase.