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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  Wont purchase again - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ksdvm - July 1 - 12:56 am

  Have a 01, GL with 35K, enjoyed driving it until had a "computer and air sensor" problem. Dealer had my car for 2 weeks - poor communication/service. Should be reliable at 35K. I am selling for a Mazda. Do your research before purchasing. Hopefully improvements are being made with service.

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  Watch out for transmission problems - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Will - June 30 - 7:26 pm

  We purchased a this car new in 2004. We noticed transmission problems immediately driving at low speeds or coming to a stop: the downshifting was sometimes violent. The dealership was poor to respond and later acknowledged that there was a software update which they installed. The problem was solved for a couple of years. One day while taking off from our house, a special dash symbol light came on indicating that the transmission was in the safe mode, meaning it could be limped to a dealer. This was in Dec 2007. The repair bill for rebuilding the transmission module was $2300. In short, expensive upkeep cost, poor dealership response. Next car might be American made.

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  Maximum Features for the money, - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By TigerBerj - June 30 - 2:00 am

  More features than BMW & Mercedes combined.

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  If you buy a jetta buy a bus ticket too! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By blaue - June 30 - 2:00 am

  We leased our Jetta new in 2000 and are finally done with the lease.(never again)and the sorry @#! car.They are so appealing to look at but dont be fooled! Three sensors went out,drivers window fell out,both cup holders broke several times,seatbelts broke, brakes went at 22000 miles all 4 tires went before 15000 it shakes,sputters,idles funny,has stinky exhaust no room in the back seat. And VW dealerships and cuctomer relations SUCK! Buy a Honda,Toyota,or Subaru instead.

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  All the little stuff add up. - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Beth Cloud - June 30 - 2:00 am

  For a car that is only two years old I expected a lot more. For example, my engine fails every other time I drive it in the morning, I have a continual "cocaine" blinker, the window broke and wouldnt go up, the door clicker only works now on the drivers side, the trunk "blocker" persay just broke off, the clock resets itself everytime the car "stalls" but I have an automatic, the armrest broke off, need I go on? And the worst part of this whole thing is when I go to get all of these fixed, the Volkswagen dealership claims that nothing is wrong with the car. Theres a reason why the Volkswagen dealership garage is ALWAYS busy!

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  this car rocks - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By abirken - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I have never driven a car with more get up and go ever! I feel this car can take me around the world a few times and back, it feels so reliable. The power of this engine is incredible and hard to imagine until you are given whiplash upon entering the freeway. Buyers beware of extreme power when driving this car.

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  new car a blast! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Eben - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Having owned a Suv and Subura wagon, its really fun to own a car that really "zips" around .The Jetta is very solid and well made. The Monsoon stereo and the lighted dash make you feel your driving a more expensive car.I added a Thule ski rack and go on many small New England roads with no problems. Great car!

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  2005 GLI 1.8 Turbo - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SYN - June 29 - 10:53 pm

  With all the hype about the new Jettta released mid year people have skipped right past the GLI 1.8T. Its hard to find any info on it. I love this car it flys! It stops on a dime and I get looks everywhere I go in it!

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  Having no fun with VW - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By havinnofunwith vw - June 29 - 10:40 pm

  I agree with the majority of other reviews. There are a few good points (mileage, fun to drive, roominess) but it stops there. This vehicle is junk. I have experienced many of the issues mentioned, as well as catalytic converter self destructing at 81k miles. I owed a Scirocco 25 years ago. Same deal - fun to drive but unrelenting issues. Swore at the time, no more VWs. The wife talked me into this, but never, never again.

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  Not your old Beetle - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By James Adams - June 29 - 9:13 am

  This is my third new Beetle. In fact there are two in the family now. I love this car. It is so fun to drive! The quality of construction is second to none. It has excellent German technology and drives great. Dont be fooled by the size of the car. A 66" man can easily be comfortable inside. I love the way it performs. It is also very comfortable for those long trips. All those nice little touches and electronic gadets make it easy and fun to operate. It has a lot of convenience features. Like I said we have two in the family and wont hesitate to buy again. Two items that Volkswagen needs to add are: 1. A digital compass. 2. A coin holder. These are only minor inconveniences though.