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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  Never Again - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disgruntled Sucker - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Bought new and had vehicle for over 2 years. Will never buy a VW - new or used - again. Poor, condescending dealer service; ignition coils failed one at a time - dealer replaced them one at a time (prior to VWs recalling all 02s); transmission failed & had to be replaced; impossible to smootly accelerate from stop due to poorly engineered transmission. Extremely unreliable car; the worst Ive owned since 1966.

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  Volkswagen Service is HORRIBLE! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Siv - May 13 - 10:00 am

  This was my 1st brand new car and VW has ruined it for me. Although the Jetta appears to be a great car, the service is horrible. Ive had a lot of problems with this car. Most recent is my car stalls out of nowhere. Im driving & all of a sudden it comes to a complete stop & my engine light & EPC light come on. Ive taken it to VW 4 times & they cannot figure it out. The worst part is that they are very rude & nasty about it. I have been to 3 different dealershipS in the NY area & have had NO LUCK. Do not go to New Country VW in Greenwich CT, Mayer VW in Larchmont NY or CityLine VW in Bronx NY.

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  would not buy another one - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By hulk - May 13 - 10:00 am

  would not buy another one,problem with computer keys,leather covered material,leather comes off,had to pay 75.00 for two windshild wippers,mind you just the wippers,seems like everything cost you more on this car.

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  FahrFromMovin - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By B.F. of Long Beach - May 11 - 12:03 pm

  I am utterly frustrated with my car. It has had a repeated problem of engine light issues. The turbo had to be replaced, and then it was realized most of the engine oil was stuck in the turbo inter-cooler. I have been to the dealer 6 times since December 2004 - April 2005. My Air-Sensor has been replaced multiple times. I worry each day if I will be hanging out with my service representatives, whom I know all by first name.

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  VW means poor quality - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By nomorvw - May 7 - 10:01 am

  After owning 4 Honda vehicles (civic and accord) i bought my son a new 2006 Jetta. I was impressed by the ride and the safety rating for the Jetta. however, now 5 years and 75K , i am stuck with a 1600.00 repair bill for a clutch repair. Apparently, the hydraulic cylinders for the clutch broke apart and soaked the clutch assembly. If the flywheel is damaged add another 600.00 to the repair cost. The care is barely paid for and the car is literally falling apart. I did call customer care at VW and received a nice apology. Dont buy a VW product!!

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  Problems - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Frank - May 5 - 8:23 pm

  The car has had many electrical problems. The cheap battery left me stranded, faulty switches renderd the brake lights useless, the glovebox door breaks repeatedly, and the door locks malfunction. Most of this occured while under warranty, but it still occurs now that the car is out of warranty. Of course, fixing these issues is quite expensive even though I consider them manufacturer defects.

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  I should have bought a toyota - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bwilson50176 - May 4 - 6:07 pm

  Bought my 2011 Jetta S 1 month ago. I have taken it in 4 times for a problem with 5th gear. Each time they dealership says that cannot recreate the problem (sometime there is resistance shifting into 5th and sometimes it will not shift into 5th all) Had to call VW corp just to get them to take it for more than a few minutes drive. Got a loaner right now. Waiting to hear back, I am sure they will say that cant find the problem. I love this car, but I should have bought a toyota,. VW is not the brand it once was and the people could care less about fixing a problem with a BRAND NEW car, the first time i took it in was less than a week after i got it. I would avoid VW like the plague

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  Never Again - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Katriyna - May 4 - 10:00 am

  We bought this vehicle brand new. From 3 months on we have had repeated problems with the electrical and mechanical systems. It has been in the shop so many times for the same problems, and the dealerships are very uncooperative. Although I love the way this car drives and looks, and the comfort is undeniable, I am very disappointed. Had I really researched it and spoke with people I knew who have owned VWs I would never have gotten myself into this costly mess.

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  If only Id known - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Siera - May 1 - 5:46 am

  I bought the car from a not so reliable dealer unfortunately. The car worked well for about a month. The transmission has been on its way out since I bought it. Ive had to replace the fuel pump and other assorted things because it wouldnt start. Now its not starting again, two months after the last fiasco. This time its believed to be the ignition switch. The only way it stays on is to hold the key all the way over. I have been told by a VW specialist to get rid of it while I still can. Its been nothing but problems and now I have to look for a new car before a start college in a month. My boyfriends sister had one too and they told her it wasnt safe to drive anymore and to get rid of it.

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  Keep the windows shut! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By EdS - April 29 - 10:00 am

  2 problems, 2 words. Windows! Cooling! I leased the car new and within 1 year replaced a window regulator. I have had it for four years and average 1 a year with an exception for not replacing the passenger side after I turned the car into a commuter. Cooling system has been the final straw and will cause me to never own another VW. Of all the cars Ive owned in my life, Ive never had one have the air conditioning system go out until now. Add to that the fact that the driver side window regulator went out the next day and you have a VERY pissed off owner.