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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  Happy with my beautiful car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By lsubias - August 11 - 10:00 am

  This car rides like a dream - feels like floating! I didnt think Id be getting a white car, but this one looked so classy in white, its what I chose. I have the manual transmission, because I didnt like the feeling of a slight delay before the turbo kicked in on the triptronic system theyve been pushing. Maybe that was just me.

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  1999 VW Passat GLS Wagon - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By sdyver - August 11 - 10:00 am

  We have had this car for over 3 and a half years with virtually no problems, until recently. While about 75 miles from home the timing belt broke at 79k (recommended change interval is 105k). The timing belt was replaced under warranty, but the dealership (not our local dealership) did sub-par work causing us to have it towed back to the dealer to fix all the problems. Other than this one incidence (which cost us less than $50) the car has been a pleasure to own and drive. Weve taken it on numerous long trips and the seats are superb. The car itself if very versitile, highly recommended.

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  UNRELIABLE - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By UNHAPPYINHOUST0N - August 11 - 10:00 am

  Sorry warranty....., Transmission engagement switch had to be replaced twice at my own expence, ABS brakes locked up in stop and go traffic, car felt like it was carring a load of bricks. had to replace brake booster after warranty expired,at $900 cost.

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  WANT to love it - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ReisngD - August 11 - 10:00 am

  I really wish that I could write a positive review after a year of ownership, but I cant. Although people still approach it like a celebrity, the car has been extremely unreliable--and I only put 7500 miles on in 12 months so far. The dealership has been cooperative in trying to find the problem, but they cannot. It is not having simple window problems either, rather the engine is barely running or cutting out during acceleration. I have never had a car spend sop much time in the shop. Not even a ten-year-old Civic with 150,000 miles. To those of you still in love-- good luck!!!

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  So far a good value for me - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Schooder - August 10 - 5:21 am

  I bought this car used at a dealer.7/2015 I live at 7000 above sea level and occasionally drive to 5400 (New Mexico) This is important to understand reference to performance. The 4 cylinder Turbo accelerates nicely at this altitude. It accelerates close to or better that my 2006 Toyota 4runner V8. I wanted to change the shifter handle for esthetic reasons and ended up damaging a small piece of plastic and ended up with a $1100 repair bill the replace the entire shifter module which had to remove from the bottom of the vehicle. The makers obviously was not intending this to be removed, so be careful if you want to change out the leather shift handle. I really like the way the windows operate. Typical German engineering, all the windows come up/down with one touch instead of just the driver door. There is a full size spare tire. The cruise control works great, one button push is all that is needed. And accelerates good. I bought it at 76,000 and now has 86,000 miles(1/2016). I think the ride could be smoother. I wonder if different tires would help. I think VW has always been a poor mans Audi. It doesnt feel as solid as or as smooth on the road as smooth as A4s I have owned.

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  Average with pretense - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By Michael - August 9 - 11:56 pm

  The Volkswagen Golf is average overall, with a below average electrical system and well designed, but a poorly built engine. Given the multitude of small (window motor, sunroof malfunctions) and not very small (side airbag misfire, engine sensors malfunction, 80,000 mile timing belt wear-off) defects, you are better served by getting a Lexus or a Mazda.

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  Very Sad - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By AMY - August 9 - 11:03 pm

  I loved my Golf up until this past August when the car hit 35k miles. The car has been the shop 3 times since then with electrical issues. Two of the trips required towing. First, the brake light switch went out and caused the car to reduce power and then it could not be shifted out of park. Next the fuel relay went bad and drained my battery. Could not jump the car, had to be towed again. Now the dash lights come on randomly on their own in damp weather. Dealer has no clue why its doing this. I love the looks of the car and driving the car. But I am afraid once its out of warranty I will be dumping tons of money into it. I had planned on keeping this car a long time but now Im unsure

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  Fun to Drive and Good Looking - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By saadtoufic - August 9 - 9:40 am

  This is a very nice and a beautiful looking car car. It is roomier than the previous generation Jetta. It is a good size car for family of four. Its trunk space is generous and it has plenty of room. I love driving this car. I have the 2.5L, 5-cylinder and I found it to have very good handling and to be very responsive.

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  Wowza. - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Wheels8716 - August 9 - 5:10 am

  Traded in my 2006 Subaru STI for my CC. Im a certified car nut, and have always loved the exterior design of the CC. I talked the wife into a test drive, and that was it. Where do I sign? The 2010 CC offers the famous VW DSG gearbox. I wanted the 6 speed manual at first, but the DSG really is the best of both worlds. The gear changes are THAT quick. There is not another car within $20,000 of the CC that oozes so much style. The interior not only works from a functionality stand point, but it is simply gorgeous. It glides down the road effortlessly. I was looking for great looks, decent gas mileage, and a comfortable interior. VW hit this one out of the park.

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  An SUV That Can Take You Anywhere - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By docj - August 8 - 8:10 am

  We bought this SUV so my wife, a nurse, could get to work regardless of the weather. It has consistently demonstrated it can do that in some absolutely horrible conditions. We have a set of winter wheels with Pirelli Scorpion studless ice and snow tires for it and it can go just about anywhere. In good weather it is a fun SUV to drive; in sport mode it can beat most vehicles off the line. Youd never know you had 5,000 pounds under you. Reading other reviews I have no idea why people have been complaining of tire or brake life. Make sure the wheels are aligned and select tires carefully. Initial reliability was poor but has improved a lot;not cheap to fix--$1,100 for timing belt!