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 do it.! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Nein VW - April 25 - 4:20 am

  Absolutely the worst car Ive ever owned. Purchased brand new. Have been back to dealer multiple times with electrical problems. (It would just go dead while driving). Constant problems with brakes, and cosmetic plastic items literally falling off the car. It finally cost me $3800 just to get all the engine leaks found and repaired so that I could trade the thing off.

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  MANY SMALL PROBLEMS = ONE BIG ONE! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Wont be back! - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED WITH 16,500 MILES ON IT. BY THE TIME IT HAD 18,000 I WAS ALREADY REPLACEING THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. EVERYTHING THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC IN THE CABIN HAS BROKEN AT LEAST ONCE. THE REAR BRAKES STILL HAVE ISSUES THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN RESOLVED AND THE DEALERSHIPS CRACK MECHANICS CANNOT SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. THE ENGINE EATS COOLANT, THE COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY IN COLD WEATHER, AND THE OIL FILTER IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE ON YOUR OWN! RUN AWAY FROM THIS CAR!

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  Volkswagen Stinks!!! Fooled me once..... - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lacy - April 22 - 5:40 am

  Ive had brake problems for 3 years which Brakeway finally diagnosed and fixed. Then my tranny went out and it took over a month and $5k to fix. Now I got spots on my hood, roof, and trunk which was determined to be manuf. defect, but they wont deal with it because my warranty is out. The console is flimsy trash and my d. side door handle assembly came apart when I tried to close the door in the winter, but the latch assembly froze, on a German car! This is the first car I cannot work on myself. My fuel economy is around 30mph, though others are getting 40. I can truly say the dealer sold me a lemon that I still have to pay for. But, Im not paying to paint

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  Dont buy this car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dorian - April 21 - 7:26 pm

  the 1.8t is a beautiful car, its not bad on gas and its fun to drive. But do not buy this car, this car will bankrupted you. their are so many electrical problems (automatic window problems, trunk opening problems light problems ect...) that you will run into (and its a lest of $300.00 to get each of the problems fixed). so if you buy this car you better get use to having check engine light permanently on.

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  Bad News! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By onebadc4 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Spent over 20 days in the shop first 2 mos. DONT BUY THIS SUV. Heres a list: Broken A.C.;broken stereo; door handles stick open;inside cargo hatch handle broke apart;clock above windshield malfunction;cruise control suddenly shuts off when towing; remote keychain adjusted 3times; loud noise coming from AC vent; MOST OF ALL the V8 has an "inherent" shaking problem they cant fix. You actually shake when sitting in the thing parked with the engine running. Absolutely unacceptable $46,000. VW already paid one of my car payments for the inconvenience. Its going back in the shop again for a squeaky steering wheel. Can you say class action lawsuit?

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  Goodbye to Volkswagen! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By VW........HATE IT! - April 17 - 10:00 am

  We are nearing the end of our 3 yr lease term on a 2000 Turbo New Beetle and I couldnt be happier! This is without question the most unreliable vehicle I have owned in the last 12 years (out of 8 vehicles). I have owned 2-Chryslers, 2-Jeeps, 2-BMWs, Pontiac and now this junker...what a mistake. Problems: too many O2 sensors to count; catalytic converter; dead car (only to start mysteriously within 1 hr); gas cap cable; emergency brake cable; coolant loss (where did THIS go?); etc, etc. 2-yrs and 24K miles on the warranty...should have been a message at time of purchase: VW KNEW THIS ONE WAS A STINKER! Buy American!

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  If only it would keep running regularly - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kelly Leach - April 11 - 10:03 pm

  When VW came out with the 1.8T engine and extended its warranty to 4yrs/48,000 miles on the Passat in 2002, I had to buy one. In terms of style, comfort, and exterior appearance, the car was a dream come true. It felt solid, quiet, and responsive. Mechanically, however, the car has been a nightmare. Its been recalled four times and has had to go into the shop another three to four times for other problems since I purchased. I realized after driving the car for an extended period that the cars interior appointments werent as user-friendly as they could be. The storage space up front is minimal at best, and is poorly placed. Also, for people 5 5" and under, the sun visors are not deep enough to come close to blocking the sun.

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  Dont buy a Volkswagen! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CDias - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This car started having problems within 3 months of purchasing it. I will never recommend a Volkswagen ever! The airconditioner has broken three times. The heated seat twice. The airbags once. A light has appeared on the dashboard twice. The center console has also broken. This car only has 21,000 miles! Plus now its off of warranty! Do not buy this car!

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  Upscale performace with horrible reliablity - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By roznstyle - April 9 - 11:24 am

  Purchased the vehicle brand new in 2/04. Followed the recomended mantenance religiouly. In the years Ive owned the vehicle I was left stranded 4 times and needed to be towed to a garrage. Tow #1 60K miles. Water pump (make of PLASTIC) failed causing the engine to overheat. Tow #2 75K miles. Fuel Pump failure. Tow #3 100K miles. car would not start. Brand new spark plugs were dirty and needed to be cleaned. Simple issue is a major problem when stranded. Tow #4 120K miles. water pump (Aagain!) after inspection, we needed, new water pump, timing belt, tensioners, cam seal, aux fan, main fan bearing, new belts, to the tune of 2K from a reputable 3rd party VW mechanic. Never Again VW!

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  Suspension Noise Driving me crazy - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By valerie - April 9 - 5:46 am

  Bought new 2009 Jetta SE in Jan 09. Once weather got warmer, noises started (creaking, squeaking) when any pressure applied to the suspension, on turns, bumps, breaking. Five dealer service calls and problem still exists. They have replaced front lower control arm bushings, twice, sway bar assembly, front lower control arms, and problem remains. Poor service from Volkswagen Customer Care and the dealer. The car has been in service for 22 days, each time they acknowledge the problem, but do not seem to take it very seriously, send it back with problem not resolved. I am very disappointed, as I think I am stuck with a lemon. Will never buy from Volkswagen again. Jetta QC must be poor.