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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  Hitler Revenge - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Belvis - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Do you like to Visit the Mechanic and spend lots of $$ for repairs, then I have the car for you. I couldnt pass its first Emmissions Test, due to some electronic failure. The water temp gauge broke--another bad sensor. The the check Engine light comes on twice in 5000 miles. EAch time requiring a $90 diagnostic.

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  Jetta - mixed results - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Goldfarb - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the car in early April 2004, and 3 weeks later it was in the shop for a look at the transmission, which was shifting hard between second and third gear (sometimes it would make a "clunk" sound, and the whole car would shudder). The shop couldnt find anything through their computer diagnostics and sent the car home with me. The problem continued, and the dealer ended up replacing the transmission. A 2003 car with only 4,000 miles. The "new" transmission is a slightly better but still has rather jerky shifting in the lower gears. I am very disappointed with my purchase, particularly since I traded my Honda Civic in for this VW.

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  Looks Great------But Quality Problems - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JSN - February 14 - 11:00 pm

  I bought this car for the warranty, its good looks and standard side airbags. Thank goodness for the longer warranty. I dont have to worry about the next thing that is going to break (something always is). Volkswagen has been great about repairing all the deficiencies and towing to dealer. It is just a pain to take the time to get things fixed. The transmission went kaput at 30,000 miles, alternator replaced, driver window broken, dash lights out, plastic interior parts broken. For the money, I think there are better alternatives out there.

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  VW oh VW... - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By HARDCORE VWer - February 13 - 5:30 pm

  I have had 11+ Volkswagens and loved them all. The outside is very well done on the new Passat and the interior is very large and elegant compared to the older Passats. The car is surprisingly nimble being so large (bigger than a 3 series). The handling is great on my base Passat and the fuel economy isnt bad (it does have a big gas tank though).

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  Great Engine, Tranny and Suspension But. - 2009 Volkswagen GTI
  By Jack - February 13 - 9:03 am

  Engine is first rate with very little turbo lag and it has great torque throughout the RPM range. Handling is very good for FWD car and DSG transmission is awesome. Lightning quick shifts. Interior has nice materials and good ergonomics. Seats are great as is the steering wheel. VW got the big stuff right with the GTI. Unfortunately, the little details are what they missed. With only 1,000 miles on the clock my seat squeaks, my dash squeaks over every bump, my rear hatch rattles over bumps and there is an engine rattle between 2500 and 3000 RPM which is an issue with other MKV GTIs too. Unacceptable in a new car. I heard VW has terrible quality control and now I believe it.

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  Pretty Neutral. - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By onepointeight - February 12 - 8:06 pm

  I was in love with VWs, so I bought it. Ive had to replace a lot of things, and the check engine light is still on, but it runs and gets me where I need to go. Talk about the soul of a VW! It dies almost every day when I get home from work, but never at a stop sign or light or anything like that, just when its home. Its really fun, but too expensive and has too many little things go wrong with it. Advice to first time buyers : get the timing belt done right away. Dont wait til it breaks. If theres a check engine light on, dont expect it to be nothing. Get it checked out! These cars are the best around if you have the money and time to maintain them all the time. Id suggest a Honda!

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  Love It!!!!! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wallerdawg - February 9 - 12:03 pm

  Im LOVIN the new Jetta!!! I used to have a 2000 Jetta and I loved it for me, but my passengers hated being cramped. The 2005 Jetta is AWESOME!!! I was able to pile 3 adults in the back seat and they werent too cramped! I was shocked!!! The transmission is great! I love the sports setting! I didnt like the faux wood trim in the top of the line Jetta and didnt want the satellite radio.

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  W8 the car youll love to hate - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By zerowheelspin - February 9 - 9:56 am

  After picking up the most grown up car Ive ever owned, I find my self in a Love hate relationship.. I bought it right off lease with 24k on the clock on 4-13-07. The first of the problems was the ac went it the first week right before a trip to the fl. Keys. The roof trim keeps popping up at the rear over the rear window. Window regulator broke, over head interior light stay on, sun roof opens for no reason, trunk lock broke, head light washer non opp, cv boots leaked, trans torque converter replaced, brake booster vac line. The list goes on I just dont have the time or space. By the way as of 8-31-09 this car only has 49,290 miles on the clock.. If you ask me stay clear of VW! All lemons!

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  one tough beetle! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By roman_capps - February 7 - 1:32 pm

  At first the beetle looks girly and cheap. girly to some, but cheap only in cosmetics. for the 13 years of its life it has been ragged out by a teenage girl and my father. Both have been over revved before they change gears. my father changes gears at 9000 or 90000 revolutions (cant remember) and it sends chills up my spine when he goes up hills. Not one transmission replacement to me that is amazing it sits at 195k miles. Rockwell is a great company, only in mechanical. The cosmetics on this car are absolutely cheap and plastic the entire door panel has been torn off. Its true how Volkswagen has been given to the beetle it is truly the peoples car.

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  Lemon - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 7475689 - February 4 - 7:16 pm

  High maintenance cost,engine hits pavement, $10,000+ in repairs over 3 years. Poor Radio, not impressed with VW#5, will not but buy another soon. Engine fell out after right side engine mount failed. VW no help!!