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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  I Regret Buying This Jetta - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By christinamarie - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in July 2003 with 52000mi. I drive all over the state, at least 500 mi a week. I was told by the dealer that the kick in the engine between 2md and 3rd gear is normal. Well, at 60,000 mi the kick has become fierce and my check engine light is on. The glove compartment lock is busted, too. Also had problems with the bearings on the wheels, and serious issues with the poor presentation of my car at the dealership. And dont even think about having more than 2 people in the backseat!

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  Such potential, but fails to deliver! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hitmanoo - April 11 - 2:00 am

  My car has less than 36k miles and has had several problems: cracked windshield washer fluid container, defective 6 disc CD changer jammed driver side window, the same window fell from the track and crashed inside the door panel months later, short in the heating device of the side view mirrors, short circuit in the main radiator fan causing my engine to overheat, failure of my oxygen sensor causing my "emisions workshop" engine warning light to illuminate. A problem that persists even today without satisfactory resolution, broken power steering hose, Broken left and right tire rods-neccesitating a wheel alignment, defective water

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  LEMON! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By snowcoe - April 9 - 12:28 am

  Purchased a Certified Pre-Owned car with 36k miles and have had nothing but problems from the get go! Ive brought my car in at least 7 times (3 of them occurring within the first 3 months) and I havent even owned it for a year! The warranty has covered everything so far, but having to take it into the dealer every other month is such a pain; especially since theyre not open on the weekends. It seems like as soon as one thing is fixed another breaks, not to mention the endless part recalls. The most recent issue is excessive oil consumption (adding 3 quarts in between 5k oil changes) and will have to submit a claim to VW to have it fixed. Ridiculous! Pretty car, but regret buying it!

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  Average Annual Maintenance Costs = $1500 - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By CONNIE - April 8 - 11:40 pm

  I purchased my Passat new 10 years ago. I was seduced by the style, tiptronic and cool commercials during that time. Im a sucker for Nick Drake. I now have 122k miles on the car and have gotten to know my various mechanics very well over the years. The passenger window slipped into the door - twice. That repair cost me $200+. Simple maintenance like battery changes cant be done outside of the dealership. Removing and replacing the battery disables the cars computer console which can only be reset at the dealership = cost of battery + reset fee $70. Silly things like this are common. Other replacements: tie rods, broken sunroof (within the first year) replacement cost $700; oil leaks +++

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  Never again!!! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lslb40 - April 6 - 11:30 am

  I have had my 2005 2.5L for 3 years now. I have had to replace the timing chain and tensioners once already. 4 months later I had to replace the tensioners again. Thank god my Husband works on VWs cause if you take it to a VW dealer to get fixed your looking at a $2,500 job and thats on the low side. Now my car has an intermittent starting problem which after days and days of research I see that this has been a big problem for this car and several other VW cars. I have talked to a VW mechanic from a local VW dealer and he has said to get rid of the car, especially the 2.5L. He has been a VW mechanic for 35 years. Needless to say. I will never buy a VW again.

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  Volkswagon needs help! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jhpippi - April 4 - 10:00 am

  As my first new car, I wanted a Jetta. But this car is in the shop too frequently! Electrical sensors(mass air flow, O2, engine coolant) are continuously broken causing the engine light to come on. Passenger door window regulator has failed twice causing the window to fall into the door and break. I had trouble starting the car for months and the car burns a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Now that the warranty is up (lame 2 yr, 24K mi), I just call volkswagon to fix parts that fail within a year of replacing them. I cant imagine a more unreliable car. Several friends have wanted a Jetta, but I cant recommend them with all the problems Ive had.

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  2004 VW Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Carrie Rios - March 26 - 10:03 am

  My car has been in the shop for 64 days now. the 2nd field engineer is being sent out to evaluate the situation. I have been told on 3 separate occasions my car is repaired and ready to pick up and when I get there is does not start. AC has been an issue since day 1. Alignment has also. I am not a happy VW Touareg owner!

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  Do NOT buy this car!!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By silverbbugboi00 - March 26 - 10:00 am

  Buying this car was probably the biggest mistake Ive made. The day I drove it off the lot, nothing but problems. The check engine light was always on, the car had trouble starting EVERY morning, it ate TONS of oil, over a quart every 1,000 miles, the a\c made the entire car shake, and if you did use it, the vents would stink for several days afterward, door handles peeled, sunroof leaked, too much to list here so Ill stop here.

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  Dont buy this car - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kngofsorrow247 - March 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my VW Jetta 2months ago. Had problems first month. Huge vibration in cabin, pedals, and steering wheeel when in gear. Transmision shifting problems. Car feeling like its gonna die any minute now. No help from Stuart Volkswagen, or Schumacher vw in Wst Palm. Was told that nothing was wrong with car. sent defect notice to manufact. rep. found problem during last fix attempt (what a surprise) after a day without a car...problem is still there. Dont buy this car if you want reliability. Dont be deceived by a great first drive. Problems come after a month! Lemon law is the only way to get answers from dealer.

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  Electrical Junk - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Dave - March 24 - 11:13 pm

  I wish VW would buy this junk car back. I should not be on a first name basis with the dealer service staff with only 6500 miles on the car. The vehicle has more electrical problems than I can stand, rewire the drivers seat, numerous tire PSI computers, and R/C key antenna issues (I could stand next to the vehicle and it refused to lock). Heck, I didnt even make it home from the dealer on the day we bought it before I had to turn around and bring it back for a problem! This is not what I expect from a high end SUV. Shame on you VW!