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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  Bugged Out - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dbug - November 13 - 1:13 am

  I have owned the car for two years. I bought it with 33k miles on it and it now has 86k. The major problem I had with the car was the plastic grill. A plastic highway cone hit the front grill and broke it. $3600 dollars worth of damage! Then a week after I got the car back the compressor failed. The VW dealership who did the work claimed that one didnÂ’t affect the other but since they had to take the entire front of the car apart it seems rather suspect. They want $1700 for a new compressor. Everything on the car is plastic and either breaks or falls off. I wonÂ’t be buying another VW product.

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  Why cant VW get it right ?? - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Fool me twice ?? - November 12 - 1:36 pm

  My husband owned an 86 GTI that had electrical probs from day one. He swore hed never have another VW but I begged. While we have not had any major electrical probs, the car has been to the dealership too many times. The trim is continuously discoloring or falling off, the wiring harness went bad in the first 10,000 miles, the fuel pump went out at 44,000 miles and we had to replace the brakes AND rotors at 44,000. When the car was stalling for no apparent reason, the dealership asked me if I had driven through any puddles recently. Enlighten me, can a VW not go through puddles without stalling? Now the interior light only occasionally comes on when you open the door. The gas mileage is dissappointing. Ive learned my lesson.

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  Great so far - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kreul - November 12 - 4:20 am

  Well we just bought our Bug so well have to wait and see about the reliability. I bought this car for my wife. Its her dream car and shes always wanted it so I finally did it. I was initially embarrassed to even be in the thing because it seems like such a girl car, however, I am sold thus far. This car is extremely fun to drive and it truly looks cool, especially with the top down. Im 64 and I fit wonderfully in either front seat with plenty of leg room. The back seats are tighter, thats for sure, but if youre buying the car for space in the back seat then youre looking at the wrong vehicle. I love this car!!

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  Fun Little dar - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By kd0agv - November 11 - 4:23 pm

  I just bought this little car in order to make little trips into town. I needed something that was easy on gas. After looking at whats on the market in the 19 to 22 thousand dollar range there was only one choice. The Rabbit is very well built, fun and easy to drive. I was really impressed by the quality and the number of options that came standard. This is a powerful little machine. It tops the market, in other words you get more for your dollar with the VW rabbit than any other car in the price range and above.

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  Geat Car - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Cbrown888 - November 11 - 10:30 am

  Rented a Golf MKV in Budapest to drive down to Vienna and enjoyed the car so much that we bought one soon after we got back to NJ. The car has not been in the shop once since weve owned it since I do my own service work. The car is great on long trips and handles like a car twice its price. Bought the Rabbit over the GTI since it doesnt need premium fuel like the turbo charged 2.0 motors. The interior space is excellent and really like the positioning of controls. The overall fit and finish is excellent and typical of a good European car. Overall well be keeping this car for a while since I usually get tired of cars pretty quickly

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  Dream Machine - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Joshei - November 10 - 10:50 pm

  This SUV is really good. I can easily pull my boat with it. Its also very safe. It has lot of space in the interior.

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  Its the greatest Car I owned - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By mac - November 10 - 3:20 pm

  I have owned Fords and Hondas all of my 50 plus years. Last year I went to look at a VW Passat and left with a fully equiped EOS. I and my kids are thrilled. I have a hard time keeping my car keys in my hand my four boys take it every chance they get. It by far is the best car I ever had not a lot of back seat leg room nor storage but runs great with nice get up. Would recommend this car to anyone who doesnt have to load their family in their car anymore.

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  Never Again VW - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By NeverAgainVW - November 10 - 8:06 am

  Dont buy it!!! First time buying a VW of any kind. My Passat is a lemon. Purchased for $10K on 11/2015 from an Audi dealership. Many major repairs performed by a VW repair shop EW-ext warr. MP-my portion: 2/2016 faulty crankcase breather valve, coolant exchange & replaced dirty reservoir $760 MP. 3/2016 replaced front sway bar links, both cv joint boots, coolant pipe, 80K mile service $655 MP 11/2016 replaced intake manifold, injectors (EW) 12/16, replaced coils & resealed upper engine, strut bearings, transmission service ($2550) $338 MP, 8/2017 rack & pinion $2K (EW only pay $380) 10/2017 decarb $570, now oil leak!!! Less than two years! Runs fine for a month or two, then check this or that light, OMG!!

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  The porsche of the middle class, the 2001 vw Beetle Vortex Blue Edition. - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By vortexblue2001 - November 9 - 6:26 pm

  Purchased this Beetle in 2006 with 216,000 thousand miles. Now has 255,000 thousand miles. When i purchased the car it needed many things like 4 coils, 4 spark plugs, all the filters,brakes, etc. Basically a a deep regular maintenance. I spend about 1,500 hundred dollars which included the parts and labor to put it up to speed, of course i did not take it to the dealership otherwise labor alone will had cost me 1,500. After that never had a problem with it. I replace the water pump and timing belt 3years ago so i have another 60,000 miles more to go. The Beetle has a ( 5- speed manual transmision) thats one of the reasons the car has lasted this long.This car is a good car if you service it.

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  buy again - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By ing - November 9 - 12:42 pm

  expect a german road handling car / not a toyota cream puff ride