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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  Swing and a miss - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By DF4811 - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I use my 03 Passat 1.8T as a commuter car, amassing 36k miles per year. Everything was working great until about 44,000 miles - when the "low oil pressure" warning light came on. I stopped the car immediately and had it towed to the dealer, who told me that I needed a new engine due to engine oil sludge build- up(!) Thankfully, I took it to an independant shop for a second opinion. They changed the oil pump and saved me $6,000. Aparently, this small turbo-charged engine heats the oil excessively causing it to "sludge", clog the oil pump and burn up the engine. Ive read in other VW forums that this is a common problem. Avoid the 1.8T and go with the V6.

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  I should have bought a Honda - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Goldman - February 5 - 3:16 pm

  I bought this car because I was following my heart and ignoring my head, what a costly mistake. I am currently in discussions with an attorney on lemon lawing the car. The car would not start the first day I had it. Towed to dealer, was told it was a software glitch. Two days later car left me and a client stranded out at lunch. Again, the dealer says software glitch. Last night the wipers would not work in a storm. I sat on the side of the road burning up my cell phone minutes instead. I have come to find out that the zone rep is not believable and that VW could care less. Ive gone as far as speaking with a VP of Customer Care. He said in so many words, you have a warranty.

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  Defective Ignition Coil - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Gkwong21l - February 3 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car-until, it started to fall apart. In 1 year, I have replaced 2 ignition coils (2 diff. times), the glove box and realigned the door. The coils were the biggest pain- b/c the towing fees. VW has IDd the defective part (in all 1.8T engines)- But has refused to recall it, as it does not represent a safety hazard. A bad German supplier is to blame for the coil. VW is to blame for refusing to recall the part. Dealers refuse to replace all coils, just ones that fail. Note-1.8T cars have 4 coils for each cyl; so I now have 2 new coils, and 2 coils waiting to fail. Dealers are unwilling to sell new coils-as they dont have enough to go around.

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  We Bought Two and Both Cars blew the Turbo - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By bubbastarr - January 30 - 6:00 am

  The gas milage is great, the luxury is good. The tranmission can be unresponsive, expecially in the cold. We bought two for our company and both have blown the turbo. One at 30k and the other at 18k.

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  Be Careful - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed NJ - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Leased this vehicle for 36 months and had to have dealer buy it back after only 3 months.Lost alot of money on this car.Be very careful.VW Cust Service is horrible. I had an allergic reation to something in the interior of the car. Awful smell started coming from interior roof materials, especially when sun had been beating down on car. Eyelids began burning severly and eyelids turned brown.Also began to happen to my husband,when he started driving car.Velour seat materials are suspect also for allergic reation.I now have a 2003 Acura Tl and have no allergic reations whatsoever. I know this is a strange story, but very true. Just be careful.

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  Selling this POS - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By poor_reliability - January 24 - 10:00 am

  We have had too many quality issues to list. Excessive rear brake wear, sunroof malfunction, airbag came loose from steering wheel - 3times, left directional fell out of quarter panel, window stripping separated, mass air flow sensor replaced, turn signal lamp contacts poor quality.

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  Very Disappointed! - 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Paige - January 16 - 1:53 am

  First 3 years, I loved the car! It has 127K miles on it now & I have to have the transmission rebuilt. I am very disappointed in VW. I would have continued to purchase VW and drive them for the rest of my lift until now. There is absolutely no reason I should have to have the transmission rebuilt yet. It should last me to 250K or more with the proper service and believe me I have had it all done. I loved everything about the car but this has totally changed my mind on VW and Audi for that matter or probably anything foreign except Honda & Subaru. Such a huge disappointment. And on top of it all VW wanted to rebuild it for $5150.00. Didnt go that route, no way!

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  Not impressed with VW Toureg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Johny25252 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Not really impressed with the SUV for the price tag Acura MDX sounds much better. Brakes touchy, interior too complicated(Control Panel), Not enough storage space, Back seating is not specious as it should be, Trunk is tricky to open, due to its shape and the way of openning. Driving it is comfy but due to brakes being so tuchy it could be less fun on a big stop and go trafic. Not really satisfied with the vehicle

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  Fun to drive but..... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mmqc - January 5 - 2:00 am

  I thought I was stepping it up a notch by trading in my 10 year old Honda Accord. The Passat is an incredibly fun car to drive and has the most amazing sound system (Monsoon), but it sure does have a lot of quirky issues. Of the 26 months I have owned the car, it has spent the better part of 3 months in the shop. Volkswagon as a company is very frustrating to deal with. I did not have any luck getting them to replace a part under warrenty, that had a known issue, until it threw the correct code to their computer,despite it being undrivable. Buyer beware, I wish I had kept the Accord.

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  Dont buy this car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By EMURRE - January 5 - 2:00 am

  The look of the car was the first thing that caught my eye..I should have looked away. No major mechanical problems, just really annoying quality ones. The car squeeks like crazy, from everywhere! The dashboard, the front end, the steering column, etc. I had to be towed out of my own driveway when the computer failed and the car wouldnt go into gear. Now my directional signals dont work. The dealerships mechanics are terrible, whats the use of a warranty when they keep telling you nothing is wrong? For this money you should buy something else.