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:

• 

  Fun Drive - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By tuscoladad - April 24 - 8:49 am

  We were considering a change from the 2012 F-150 we had for improved gas mileage, but traded in a 2012 Camary also. We are super impressed w/ our new fun, economical drives! Hers is a 14 SE TSI & mine a 14 Wolfsburg TSI. We both average around 30-32 mpg on city & highway. We live 25 miles out from town where the cars were purchased & my work, so both now have 17,000+ miles on them since June 30, 2014, when they were purchased. All are part of a VW heritage started in the 1980s w/ a 1964 Beetle. We since have had a 1986 Cabrio, a 1999 Jetta TDI and a 2004 Passat TDI. All have been fun & reliable, but these 2 Passats top them all!

• 

  maiden diesel voyage - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Floridian - April 24 - 7:30 am

  Very solid build. The 6 speed manual is very smooth and really lets you enjoy the torque of the diesel. I live in south Florida and the sunscreen over the panoramic sunroof actually does keep it cool inside. I am 66" and have plenty of headroom and my kids can still sit behind me. First tank was 39.5 mpg with 60% highway. I have seen over 50 mpg over long stretches at 72-75 mph.

• 

  Unreliable Jetta - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MyJetta - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I would never buy another VW. This car has costed me over 2500.00 in the past two years. Several problems that are a small fortune to fix. Not reliable and always in the repair shop.

• 

  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!

• 

  WOW - WHAT A RIDE - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By beckjustin - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is fantastic. Got it for my wife, she loves it and I get it on the weekends. DO NOT BUY BMW, LEXUS, or ACURA -- this car is more stylish and has a better ride (AND CHEAPER) than the others.

• 

  okay car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dallas2k - April 24 - 2:00 am

  lot of problems early. (ac, suspension bolt, coolant reservoir leak). all covered under warranty. only drive about 500 miles/mo. now, and no problems in over six months.

• 

  Love That Passat! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Nancy H. - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This is one car that is full of nice surprises! I love all of its safety features, its solid ride, and the way it handles in snow. VW gave me the best loan rate around. Instead of a payment book, you receive a monthly bill so you wont forget. I have received so many compliments on this car. It takes premium gas, but all of its perks make this one fun car to own!

• 

  Piece of junk - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By susan - April 24 - 1:36 am

  This is the absolute biggest piece of junk we have ever owned. Car broke down on the highway at 70K, engine needed to be rebuilt ( all oil changes up to date ) The interior is falling apart; slats for heat, all outlets to charge cell phones are blown, console between seats never shuts. Just got the car back yesterday and it was dead again by the time I went to pick my daughter up at school. NEVER will buy another VW - I am going to send them all of my bills so they can see what a nightmare this has been. Selling the car - just bought a FORD

• 

  2010 Golf TDI Endures - 2013 Volkswagen Golf
  By berner - April 23 - 6:38 pm

  Those of you with new Golf TDIs, you did the right thing! I bought mine new in May 05 and am constantly reminded that I did the right thing! City/highway mpg is 37/43. On interstates with the cruise at 77-mph, I average 43-mpg. On secondary roads with cruise at 60-mph, I average 45-mph! Have had NO warranty issues - a well-built car!

• 

  Dont Overlook the VW Jetta - 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Carroll Baldwin - April 23 - 9:10 am

  I had a 2008 VW Jetta, and really liked it, but the 2017 certainly shows 9 years of improvements over my old car. I got another Jetta for several reasons - I loved my previous one, the price was fantastic, and the 2017 had many more features and extras over the former one. In my new Jetta, I feel like Im riding in a luxury car, without the luxury car price. It was a much better deal than the 2015 Toyotas I found, and it was new! Im sold, and have had enough experience with VW that I can highly recommend them. This time, dont go with Consumer Reports - you wont be sorry.