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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  Touareg LEMON - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By pe02 - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a V6 Touareg last October and have had MULTIPLE problems with it. The keyless entry system does not always work. The homelink has been replaced, the computer board for the convenience menu failed. The brakes sound like an 18 wheeler. I had $400. mudflaps put on that are now stained from the bolts that hold them on that have rusted. The radio has a software problem that I am told that VW has no answers for and the CD player freezes at various tomes and you cannot get the cd out. I have contacted VW many times with no response. DO NOT BUY A VW, THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR LEMONS

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  ok car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ok car - August 6 - 7:26 pm

  I think everyone has the same problems with these cars. Drove two hours to pick the car up at a dealership. Drove home about a 1hour after I drove it the water pump went out, Took it back they replace it for free. But I should of listen to my girlfriend, she told me not to keep it after that. Wish I would listen .

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  German quality is gone for good - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By sayNOtoVW - August 6 - 2:13 am

  Was fun in the beginning. Now that the sludge problem (well known by VW, but denied - google the internet) has manifested itself the car is only driven when i know someone can come pick me up when it breaks down. After $7000 in engine repairs (all routine maintenance done on schedule by VW dealers) the car is running again but it took three trips back to the dealer to get everything fixed. "Sorry", "out of warranty", "havent seen this problem in the 2005s are just a few of the things said by VW America and dealer. Ill never buy VW and would not recommend to anyone.

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  catalytic converter - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By lsmo - August 2 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car new in 2000, never a problem until at 104,000 got a check engine light with emmissions workshop light, dealer said that the catalytic converter was bad to the tune of $3,300, took it elsewhere and they said the O2 sensors were also bad...another $1,200. I paid $24,600 for it 4yrs ago and now I cant even trade it in!

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  Looks cool, shoddily built - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Robbie VW - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive had troble after trouble with this car from the day I bought it. And the service and parts are so expensive. I should have bought a Honda Accord.

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  Looks Cool, Is a piece of Junk - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Disillusioned - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive had so many problems with this car I cannot even remember them all. The tailpipe fell right off the car while I was driving once. The electrical system went out. The ignition switch had to be replaced, the door strips came off three times, the handles have broken off the glove compartment, the lights have gone out in the console. I have taken excellent care of this car from day one and it has caused me nothing but grief. NOP NOT BUY ONE OF THESE. My girlfriends 12 year old Honda Accord with 115k miles on it is twice as reliable as this Jetta was, even when it was new. I will NEVER buy a Volkswagen again.

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  The Worst Car Ive Ever Purchased! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sami3 - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2002 VW Jetta with the Turbo engine. This is the worst car I have ever bought. It has broken down three times due to the coil pack, the turbo went out twice, I have had a bunch of electrical problems and my door would not close. All these problems have happened to a new 2002 car with 14K miles. Im starting the process of getting a Lemon law layer. I will NEVER buy a VW again!!!

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  The little stuff gets you - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By HIRBY - July 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is relaible and fun to drive. i bought this car in 2000, drove it brand new off the lot...within a week had it back to the dealership...a month later had it back to the dealship...2 months later had it back to the dealership....4 months later.....you get the picture. I am bummed because I have had the car for 2.5 years now and for the past 6 months I have wanted to get rid of it and get a new car...but I am stuck in a 4 year lease so must drive it for another 1.5 years.

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  Very disappointed, last VW ever for this guy. - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By norsechild76 - July 23 - 7:33 am

  I like the style and performance of this vehicle when its running. However over the past 12 months Ive had to pay over $5,400 in repairs/maint. just to keep it running. On top of what was done under warranty before, the following has had to be replaced: flywheel, both front axles, another front axle (second time), camshaft, horn spring ($600), the timing belt and water pump also needed done at 100k miles to the tune of $1200. 117k total miles on car...Im selling it before something else fails and will never own another VW. These cars are fine under warranty...not worth paying off, may as well sell and buy another under warranty.

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  Look elsewhere - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Steve Martin - July 19 - 10:00 am

  My Passat has been in the shop for 20 days and they dont know whats wrong. This is the fourth time for the same thing. The battery goes dead every night. The first two times they said nothing was wrong, according to their computer. VW refuses to honor Utahs Lemon Law, claiming the vehicle must be fixed first, at which time the BBB and Consumer Protection Agency will no longer be interested in my dispute. To VWs credit, they have provided me a 4 cylinder Ford Focus while they service my car. My warranty entitles me up to $25 per day for a rental, which is enough for a Ford Focus or a moped.