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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  SoMeOne Else With The goOP!!!!!! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Happy2BHonda - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Hey! Im glad I came here and Im even happier I got rid of my canyon red 99 NEW GLS!!! The window fell 7 days after buying it and the transmission blew 1 month later. It had 49k miles! That damn goop that came out of it and onto the door...ARGH!!! The check engine light was always coming on. I thought Id love that car.....

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  LEMON - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By lemon1 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2000 Wagon less than a month ago. During that time it has been at the dealer twice for repairs. The O2 sensor and a hose went out less than 72hrs after I bought the car and McKenna VW in Costa Mesa, Ca. wanted to charge 500 dollars to repair the car. Even though it was under warranty McKenna said "I should take it to the dealer I bought the car." After getting the general manager involved I got the car fixed, but was told McKenna was "doing me a favor.” VW has the worst customer service ever and I will NEVER buy a VW again. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY.

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  2006 Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By 2006 Passat - April 29 - 5:40 am

  Im a first-time VW owner and very disappointed with my Passat. In the 13 months that Ive owned it, its been in the shop for over 1 month for major problems. Ive had to have it towed 3 times, which makes it totally unreliable. The parking brake has malfunctioned twice, which was determined to be an electrical problem and made it undriveable. In another incident, the power completely went out as I was doing 50+mph on the highway. The air conditioner compressor and condenser have been replaced. This is all in a vehicle thats only 1 year old. That shouldnt happen. VW will not do anything with the vehicle other than continue to repair - Im worried for when the warranty runs out.

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  Issues - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bucc - April 25 - 5:14 am

  Bought the car brand new in 2011 and the AC went out in 2012. Great service at the dealer. In 2014 I started to notice the transmission slipping but no error codes. Then the car shut off once at a stop light and the second time turning into a friends driveway. I started researching the issue and found many, many 2011 and 2012 cars have this problem and dealers seem unable to solve them because no error code goes to the computer

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  Tired of problems - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By wantagti - April 23 - 10:00 am

  In the 13 months since we bought the car, its been in the shop 6 times, had to be towed there 3 times. Multiple recall parts, multiple times overheated, etc. etc. We are sick and tired of the unreliability, though we love its looks and how it drives.

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  Dont Buy - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VWSUX - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Within the first 1 & 1/2 I had brought my Jetta in 5 xs!. Window falling into the door, 2 xs for the ignition coils, 1 x for carbon build up (which the dealership said that this shouldnt be happening so soon) once for the check engine light staying on. I still haveproblem with my keys getting stuck in the ignition for hours. I have 4 other people at work that all bought VWs within a year or two that I did... ALL OF THEM WANT TO GET RID OF THEIR VEHICLES NOW!. VW was looking into replacing or repurchasing my vehicle and after 2 MONTHS of trying to get an answer from them, they finally told me that they werent going to do anything.

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  Very Delicate - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve - April 22 - 9:56 pm

  Our Jetta had many mechanical problems after the 100,000 mile mark. The first was a major auto trans rebuild. Then, the starter, drive axles, power steering hose, all four power window operators (at various times), cruise control and more. Volkswagens parts are expensive. It is a nice driving car when running, but it is very delicate.

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  Never again! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By 0osarahhh - April 18 - 9:34 am

  Ive had this car for about 5 months and already cannot afford the up keep! I paid $4000 for it, and have put about $2000 into it now. First I had to replace front brake hoses, right and left control arms, then the thermostat went, now I have oil leaking and a major electrical system problem. Never again will I buy another Volkswagen.

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  Love Hate Relationship - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Co Car Girl - April 16 - 6:06 pm

  I bought mine used, 2 weeks after buying it I had to replace both front cv boots $1k a piece. in the last 18 months I have had it in the shop at least 12 times. In the last 4 weeks I have had the passenger side electrical, all 4 steering mech, wiper arms, thermostat replaced. Also have a sunroof that likes to open when not prompted. The park brake likes to set and unset itself after I turn the car off. What a joy it has been to drive every rental car known to man while waiting for parts. Thing is every time I get it back I am happy to be sitting in the comfortable ergo friendly car that drives like a dream.... when its running. Dont buy unless you have lots of time/$ to sit at the mech

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  Another Ignition Coil Victim - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Gregg - April 12 - 6:56 pm

  Just bought a 06 Passat from VW dealership in Freehold, NJ. Luckily were under warranty. After 3 days of ownership my wife broke down on the G.S.P. and the car needed 4 new ignition coils, mass air flow sensor, 2 additional wires, 20 Amp fuse, head cover, engine harness. Wow. Thank god were under warranty. This from a clean car-fax and apparently brand new looking/feeling vehicle. Now after receiving the car back from the dealer the malfunction light is on and back it goes! A few more days and this will meet the 20-day lemon law criterion.