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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  Awesome...Will be missed - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Jeremy - April 30 - 11:13 pm

  I love this car...it has been nothing but fun and excitement. It gets great gas mileage yet has strong turbo power when needed. It is a real hoot to drive no matter where you are going or what traffic is doing. I am moving up to a BMW Z4 3.0si so this will need to get sold. I will miss it, but hopefully it can make someone else very happy!

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  Love It! - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ProudJettaOwner - April 30 - 11:56 am

  This is my second VW Jetta. I traded in my 2000 Jetta for the 07 Wolfsburg and WOW, what a difference! I actually bought the car, not loving the exterior, I bought it for the interior and everything it had to offer but since I have had it, I have grown to LOVE the body as well.

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  German luxury on a budget - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By drjkalyan - April 30 - 8:25 am

  This is my first new car and I love it. It looks impressive with taut lines and geometrical shapes that accent the angular look of the new VWs. The car is decidedly large for the American market and can be a problem only in some crowded cities. Inside the cabin the interiors are excellent quality and material with symmetrical layout - maybe a bit boring. It has the best in-class rear seat legroom and boot space. It has adequate equipment as standard. Ride is a bit choppy on rough roads but is very well absorbing on usual city roads. Power is just about adequate and delivery is a tad linear. Engaging the sports mode creates more engine noise than speed. I love the tank-like build quality!

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  Do you really want one? - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By redjetta98 - April 30 - 8:13 am

  The Jetta is an interesting car in the beginning when you get it and step on the gas and let out the clutch it feels good you want to drive it. However as you begin lifes journey with the vehicles things start to break such as the back rotors which wear out every 40,000 miles because of a "design flaw" the window cable, not the motor, fray because of a "design flaw", the O2 sensor fails because of a "design flaw". Bottom line the entire car is a design flaw and is made with cheap parts which snap together in some instances. Dont be fooled by its good looks, these cars are money pits. Why do people still own them? Most likely they owe more than what the car is worth and are just trying to get by.

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  Make sure you get the maintenance record - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By bmlarso - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Had the can since it was new. Had to replace the MAF 4 times. ($250 a crack, but got them to cover all but $150 or it). Has to replece the computer and wiring harness because it was what was tripping the CEL for the MAF. Tires had to be replaced at 15000. Glove gox broken. Mirror adjuster broken. Break-away mirrors BROKE at a VERY slow speed. 46000 and the clutch is going and I dont drive it that hard, but it is fun to drive and the 500+ miles to a tank is always a plus.

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  03 GTI 1.8T vs. ex00 Jetta 1.8T - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By exJetta1.8Towner - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Having sold my 00 Jetta 1.8T, I couldnt imagine what car would ever give me that same "whooosh" feeling for the same money. So with that in mind, I started the process looking for a new 03 Jetta 1.8T, having not yet driven a 1.8T GTI. Once round the block in the GTI and I was sold. With the 17" wheels/sport package, it handled so much better than my old Jetta. Slight roll, but way better. Huge improvement in the seat dept. The extra 30 HP doesnt hurt either. One of the main reasons I sold my Jetta was because the warranty was coming to an end...something I wont have to worry about for a while.

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  Great Car...Good Price - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By zippdawg - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had my GTI VR6 for about 6 months. I have had no problems EXCEPT for: The car was delivered with low coolant level. One morning my computer told me to stop engine and check coolant level. I added some water, problem solved. Once a pebble got lodged between my rear brake rotor and the heat shield and made a high pitched screeching noise. Once I went in reverse, it ejected the pebble, problem solved. Also, the dealership drilled holes in front bumper for lisence plate frame when I asked them not to.

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  EXTREMELY DISAPOINTED - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By mfallo - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I FELT IT URGENT TO DO A REVIEW ON THIS CAR. CONSUMER REPORTS RATED THIS MODEL YEAR BEST FAMILY CAR. ILL TELL YOU WHY WE WERE DISAPOINTED. CUP HOLDERS IN TERRIBLE SPOT, FUNNY SMELL FROM ENGINE THAT CANT BE EXPLAINED BY ANYONE, YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR DRAGGING ON THE GROUND, BLACK FABRIC INTERIOR A NIGHTMARE TO KEEP CLEAN, SMALL PIECES OF RUBBER AND PLASTIC LININGS FOR CONSOLE AND REAR CUPHOLDERS COMES OFF WHEN VACUUMED, CANT OPEN UP CUPHOLDER COMPARTMENT IF YOU SPILL SOMETHING. THE STEREO SYSTEM SOUND IS MUFFLED AND THE FUEL ECONOMY RATING IS NOT TRUTHFUL.

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  Diamond in the rough - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By kory_p - April 30 - 2:00 am

  It was only coincidence that I stumbled onto the volswagon dealership and found a true diamond in the rough. I was previously looking at a four door sedan and a sporty two door coupe from other car makers. Then I saw the passat GLS 1.8T and realized I could have the extra space and the sporty drive all in one.

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  It fits nicely into my garage - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mr. Moos - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I have now owned my 1.8T Passat for roughly 1 month and Im enjoying every minute of it. Ive heard about some of the problems with the coil and hope that since mine is 2003 it wont become an issue. Everyday I try and find excuses to take long drives in the mountains and on the hwy because it has great pickup for a 170 HP powerplant. When that turbo kicks in, I can really feel it. I recommend anyone thats looking for a new sedan to test drive the manual first then the automatic. They both have a nice feel.