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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  Passat W8 sedan is great ! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By BB. - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Americans dont understand how really great this car is. Audi Quattro performance and comfort for a fraction of the price (They are both made by the same company.) Larger than an A4 and smaller than an A6, the Passat is a perfect size to deliver both tremendous agility and interior roominess. The W8 option delivers 270 hp of 8 cylinder performance, with upgrades to the suspension and wheels (but you must order the sports suspension). Ive had more than one BMW and Mercedes. They deliver snob appeal and prestige. But VW/Audi cars deliver performace whether the road is dry, wet or icey. Thats something the first two cant begin to match.

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  Another great VW - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Psalman - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I test drove 40, yes 40 cars before coming to the conclusion that the Jetta, though pricier than the competition, is in a class all of its own. It has comprable power to the fastest of the competition, but provides a level of class than no other can match.

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  I LOVE MY SLUG BUG - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By BUGABOO - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THE NEW BEETLE. ITS THE FUNNEST CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. WOULDNT GIVE IT UP FOR ANYTHING, UNLESS ITS A BEETLE CONVERTIBLE!!! ITS GOT A TON OF HEAD ROOM AND VERY ROOMY REAR SEAT. MY DAD IS 64" TALL AND RIDES COMFORTABLY IN THE BACK SEAT.

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  Nice car, but clutch failure at 22,280 miles?!? - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jeremycarguy - July 23 - 6:52 pm

  I purchased the 2011 VW Jetta TDI with the manual 6-speed transmission in January 2011. The car had significant problems at first with stalling. After a couple of tries, the dealership replaced the air mass meter which improved it significantly. At 22,280 miles, the clutch disk disintegrated. VW claims that his was normal wear and tear. However, on a previous car (87 Volvo 740T) I got 210,000 miles on the clutch. I know how to drive a clutch. I am a former licensed master auto mechanic, this is clearly a materials failure, and VW will not stand behind their product. They have lost a good customer and somebody who had been a good advocate for VW in the past.

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  The excellant Passat - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mohit Tendolkar - July 22 - 2:00 am

  My Passat has always been my sweetheart about whom I can blabber off even with my wife! And of course, shes everyone elses envy - whether I take her to the restaurant, its the waiters who awe it, to the office, its the boss .. I have yet to discover the negatives of this car yet..and I hope I wont.

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  VW FROM MEXICO JUST NOT CUTTING IT - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TENNISBUM - July 22 - 2:00 am

  VR6 POWERTRAIN IS GREAT. HAS BEEN VERY RELIABLE AND FUN TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, ON THE THIRD YEAR, IRRITATING THINGS STARTED TO HAPPEN. BOTH REAR POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ($600). AFTERWHICH, THE EXTERIOR SIDE DOOR MOLDINGS HAVE BEEN SLOWLY PEELING OFF. REPLACED ONE DRIVERS SIDE MOLDING ($120) AFTER IT COMPLETELY CAME OFF. ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE? MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A HONDA ACCORD!

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  Money pit - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By YOYDIDIBUYAVW - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Personally, I will never purchase another VW product as long as I live. I bought this vehicle as a long term investment of at least 6-7 yrs, Ive had it for only 3 yrs now and Im dreading the what Im going to have to repair next. The littany of issues I have/had with my car are as follows: A/C unit broke; AM radio does not work; Motor to gas cap latch broke; light for alarm on driver door lock dropped into the door; Battery died, Mass Air Flow sensor; O2 sensor (still waiting on VW of America for re-imbursement for recall); interior trim peeling on doors; yellow green lubricant leaks from doors in hot weather; and turn signals occasionally stop blinking.

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  nice lookin, but dont be fooled - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By patrick - July 22 - 2:00 am

  this car looks and drives great...when it drives. the car has 24,500 miles on it and the problems are starting. at 21K the paint started peeling off the front end, the finish on the interior door handles is disinegrating, and now, 500 outside of warranty the car wont start and none of the rocket scientists at the dealerships can figure out why. one says its an alternator and wanted $900, another said it was just a computer glitch and that was $100 to fix, now 3 weeks later same problem. wont start again. im getting this POS running and selling it as fast as i can. dont be fooled...they are awesome looking cars, but do not own one after the measly 24K mile warranty runs out

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  The next Chevy Vega - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Tennessee - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Warning!!! Do not buy this car. In the first 37000 miles I have had the starter replaced, the flashers, 3 oxygen sensors and both power windows have failed, leaving the windows all the way down. Both times I was hours from home. My relationship with VW is over forever!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  I love my VW - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By big pun - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a GLS TDI with leather seats and sunroof. I am loving my car more and more everyday. Being a diesel engine, I get great fuel economy! Other the engine is noisy on the outside, once you get in the car, it sounds like a normal gas car, the car may be even more quiet at crusing speeds of about 60-70 miles/hr. Only one thing I dont like about the car is the cup holder. They get in the way of the radio and CD player!! Otherwise, I would highly recommend buying this car!!