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:

• 

  More trouble! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By John - March 20 - 2:16 pm

  Early on we experienced electrical problems, rattles and other issues with this car. We should have sold it! Now, we are replacing the clutch every year. We are now on the fourth clutch for this vehicle. Its going this time!

• 

  Watch for the LEMONs... - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By pipeline - March 12 - 10:00 am

  To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the car. Its great fun to drive, but, today, I ended my lease on the car; it was in the shop 36 days from Sept 18th, 2002 to March 18th, 2003!!! I am going to the much more reliable TDI 1.9L Golf. I hope I am making the right choice. Oh, and for those of you looking to buy a GTI, beware! My car insurance TRIPLED after getting the GTI (I had a Mazda 626 before the GTI and I have a completely clean record!!!)

• 

  Whats with the noise - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CantHearMyselfThink - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I love the way it looks and that is just about all the compliments I can give my Jetta. The car is held together by plastic and crazy glue. Every little bump and it feels like the car will fall apart. The biggest complaint is how unbelievable loud this car is. There are two types of noises (1)the very loud roar of the engine and (2)this weird screeching sound that comes and goes. I actually have to turn my radio up very loud in order to drown out the noise of my car.

• 

  Engine, Electrical & Tire Problems - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By ET - March 11 - 7:16 am

  AVOID ALL TOUAREG VEHICLES. Read the internet on how rotten VW support is. My T is driven gently by my wife. We go through a set of tires every year or so, have had many electrical problems including completely replacing the wiring harness. At 43,000 the engine simply froze. A couple months out of warranty for months owned but within the period for mileage. VW is giving us grief about replacing the engine. I guess they think that it is ok for an engine to blow at 40K. Dealers seem great but you have to deal with VW of America. They are simply terrible. I would look at the internet for VW problems and VWA support before buying ANY VW product. Sorry...I have owned 4 VWs but no more.

• 

  Would NOT recommend - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hmntafiel - March 7 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. It has given me more problems in the 4 years I have had it then my Geo Prizm gave me in 8. My mom was tricked into leasing it. This experience has ruined my opinion of German vehicles overall. At 26000 the rear brakes went out, the key has been disprogrammed on its own 3 times, the lights on the air conditioning panel have gone out 4 times (!), the break lights have gone out twice, the 02 tubing had to be replaced (cost me $800), and not to mention the bumper has almost fallen off. Some yellow stuff is oozing out of the door, looks kinda like worms. DO NOT buy! Cant wait til I get rid of mine...

• 

  My first and only VW - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SadOwner - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Twice in the shop (two months apart) for ignition coils to be replaced under warranty (once with a Ford Focus rental...yuck!) Most recently the driver side window slid into the door not to re-emerge. Also under warranty but I have to wait 10 days for the dealership to have the time. First the window was duct taped up, now propped by wooden shims. I should have two bumper stickers. "Bought new...as is!" and "What next!" Never will I buy a VW again!

• 

  2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportswagen TDI - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By yangk - February 26 - 6:59 pm

  I only had my silver Sportswagen TDi for 2 1/2 wks. I noticed a milky spots around my paint. When I parked it in the garage and the shadow from the sun just beemed in just right. I contacted the dealership rightaway about it and their treatment for my paint problem on my BRAND NEW car is "heat" and "rubbing compound". I requested to talk to a VW Rep but apparently Reps dont talk to customers only the dealership will. The car only has 1300mi and I am ready to trade it in for a Subaru Outback or Toyota Venza due to the fact that the driver and rear driver door rattles over bumps and the paint job is horrible. If I can find this flaw at 1300 mi and ONLY in 2wks, what would it be in 3yr

• 

  Our yellow nightmare - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By themrfreeze - February 23 - 2:06 pm

  Bought this car brand new. It was okay at first, but the thing started falling apart after a few years. Numerous electrical problems, gauge cluster failure, constant problems with rear brakes seizing. Paint failed in places, and running boards underneath doors get dented easily. Stuff was coming loose and dangling underneath car. Due to its design, this car is very difficult to work on, and some parts are poorly designed due to the cars shape. We unloaded it before it hit 50k miles.

• 

  Get a Honda - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ray - February 18 - 7:43 am

  My 2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T has been in the shop numerous times, including for the ignition coils twice, and to have the heated mirrors replace three times. I also had the transmission replaced. The engine light has come on six times. This car is going away. Its time to by a Honda Accord.

• 

  2003 VW Passat GLS 1.8T - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By vw2003passat - February 14 - 10:03 am

  I purchased this vehicle new in 2003. Its still with me: 149,500 miles later. I appreciate a car thats made it this far, and is fun to drive, but the VW Passat exacts a price: lots of problems and plenty of expensive maintenance. Ive had a bad radio, bad brake light switch, malfunctioning seat heaters, bad airbag light, three replaced CV boots, a bad oil cooler, and the check engine light is on so much Im surprised the bulb hasnt burned out. Add to this $40 wipers, $70 oil changes, and VW dealerships who are terribly nice while they rattle off a long list of questionable repairs. If youre considering this car or any VW, I highly recommend you stay far, far away.