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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  Dont buy Volkswagen - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By ENZO CALFA - October 23 - 8:43 pm

  I enjoy the Volkswagen performance and body styles and have purchased two vehicles. The first one was a 1995 Golf which cost me more in repairs than the original price of the car. After reading how VW had improved reliability, I was suckered into purchasing the 2004 Passatt. My car is very well maintained and I average 10,000 miles per year. I wont list all the problems Ive encountered since all the previous reviews have already listed them. My observation of VW is that they build cars to break down so that you buy replacement parts at inflated prices. My dealer quoted me $200 to replace 4 spark plugs. I purchased the plugs for $32 and spent 15 minutes to replace them. Dont buy VW!!!

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  this car is ok nothing to write home about - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By terrynikkomay - October 20 - 7:28 pm

  I bought this car 3 1/2 years ago and i had it repaired a few times ,like heater hose was rusted through ,then the air bag light came on due to when you move the seats it cuts the wires thats for the seat air bags happened 3xs then gas lid would not open so i disconnected it then when it snows you cant get trunk lid to shut after opening it ,shocks are bad rough ride ,car vibrates on freeway and hard to control on windy days also plastic break off easy in side like glovebox etc

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  DONT BUY VW! - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Junker!!! - October 20 - 3:06 pm

  I have had a hate-hate relationship w/this car. It was my dream car. Has given me problems since the day I bought it. If I hadnt bought it used it would probably classify for the Lemon Law. Catalytic converter, O2 sensor, engine light has been on, air bag light has been on. The latest is the coolant leak. I will never buy another VW EVER again. I probably wouldnt take one even if someone gave me one for free!! It has cost me thousands of dollars to keep it running and I only drive it 10000 miles a year. Cant wait to get rid of it.

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  Stay Away - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Duane Kimball - October 18 - 2:00 am

  We have had this car 3 years. Bought it new. The steering column has frozen twice and had to be replaced. The tires were bald after 23,000 miles. The rotors went at 40,000 miles and the rear calipers froze at the same time. VWs warranty had expired and they didnt even offer sympathy. This car is unreliable.

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  Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By Vance - October 12 - 2:00 am

  The 1.8T is fun to drive and I havent done any modifications. My biggest gripe/problem is the car is seeing the dealership more than the road now! Check engine light has came on 3 times over the last 3 months...and its on again. This is my second VW and I dont think there will be a 3rd. They say they only get better and learn from the consumer...but i guess Im tired of being the test market on my account. Coil pack issue, plastic window clips, air bag sensor light...whats next?

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  Dont Buy One! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ltsmeek - October 10 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2000 Jetta because of the way it drove and the way it looks. I still love the way it drives and the way it looks, but its always in the shop. Ive had the car in the shop 8 times in the past year. First, the paint peeled on the front bumper. The window has fallen into the door twice, now (its currently taped up until the new part can be ordered). The engine light came on last week, and the O2 something or another had to be replaced. My cupholder has broken ($75 to be fixed), and now, my center console button has snapped off. Its a piece of junk that Im going to trade off ASAP.

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  Volkswagen POS - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vince S. - October 10 - 10:00 am

  Two months(6,000 miles)after I bought my Jetta, the dash lights burned out. I paid out of pocket($150) because it was not under warranty according to the service dept. At 45,000 miles my front passenger window broke ($315). At 50,000 miles, a spring popped out from under the seat and the relay switch for the turn signals has stopped working (not repaired yet). It is also hard to get a loaner. Like everyone else said, "get to know your mechanics @ the serv. dept."

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  Problems from the beginning - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cmb2 - October 7 - 10:00 am

  I have had problems with my car since the second week of ownership. The dealerships tell me that I imagine the oil and smoke problems and Volkswagen tells me that they dont have any control over their dealers. Therefore, my only available recourse is the Better Business Bureau. I would NOT recommend a Volkswagen to anyone. The basis not only on mechanical problems but also on lack of customer service and concern.

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  Terrible SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Carlos C - October 3 - 1:20 pm

  I recommend everyone to stay away from this SUV. Mine has had many small problems and my dealership has been unable to fix many of the issues with it.

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  Disappointing - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By elizdan - October 1 - 4:00 pm

  I had to replace the tie rods, control arms, have the cruise replaced it and still doesnt work all the time, there was a leak in the A/C and a new evaporator cost $1,400, thermostat $1,600. Too many big ticket items are wrong with a car that is supposed to be well engineered. I love the interior head and leg room but will not buy one again because the repairs are too costly.