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 this car! - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By Sotouboy - April 8 - 6:10 pm

  Anyone who reads any reviews about this car would NEVER buy one! We had two, both leaked within hours of my bringing them home. The only good part was that my dealer stood behind their 100% satisfaction guarantee and gave me my money back. Its one of the coolest, quickest cars Ive driven. Unfortunately, no one wants to buy a car that leaks, all the time, even when brand new. Pass on this one and wait until they figure it out.

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  When youre battery dies... - 2014 Volkswagen Beetle
  By H. J. K. - April 5 - 6:23 pm

  When youre battery dies. Its will give you every warning in the book. Key not in range. Key defective. Brake error. Parking break. When youre battery finally fails (no indication other than the key) it basically does what a normal car does. Doesnt start. Bit goes though this weird every error thing. I REPLACED THE BATTERY IN MY FOR. it was a stupid dead battery. I wasnt stupid enough to pay the reprogramming fee to discover this (99$) thank God. I needed a jump and a new battery. The car didnt indicate that at all. Runs great now.

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  2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mir - April 5 - 2:13 am

  I bought my Volkswagen passat brand new in 2003 with 0 miles. Weve owned it for about 5 years now and it has 41,000 today, barely driven people, only driven to work (5 miles away) and back to the garage. today I regret ever getting this Volkswagen, 2 weeks after the purchase the stereo threw me an error code and it turned out the whole unit needed replacing (warranty). Ive never experienced so many recalls in a single vehicle, heated seats started burning (recall), brake light switch (recall), fuel pump (recall), engine heat shield (recall), replaced whole front drive shaft at 30k ($400), replaced water pump at 40k ($450). Over all I have had nothing but problems.

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  A big let down - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By gemancarfan76 - April 4 - 2:00 am

  After having the vehicle for 4 days I noticed a fluid leaking from somewhere in the engine compartment. I brought my brand new TDI with 500 miles in to be evaluated. After 4 days I was told the transmission was destroyed by metal shards in the casing. This was over 2 weeks ago. Since then VW has tried many attempts to put me in a vehicle I dont want or did not ask for. I traded in a BMW 3-series for this VW. If I get my money back I know which dealership I will be visiting!

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  Never buy a VW Again! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Robert - April 3 - 10:06 am

  Car had problems from day one. Engine noise etc. Cheap made switches. This was my forth VW and last. Worst customer service in the industry. $89 oil change is ubsurd for a VW.

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  Look out - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By arrrrrrrrrrrr - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I own 2 Passats, one of them has for the most part (with the exception of 2 of the cheap Cooper tires they give you) blowing unexpectantly, been fine. The other, has had problems, including me having to fork over $2,500 to replace the clutch at 35k miles. I dont ride the clutch, I dont do any crazy teenager driving with it, so I was a bit surprised to find it go at such a low mileage. Of course, VW was quick to point out that this is a "wear and tear" part. I have also had problems like others have mentioned with oil leaks, electronic problems with CD player, etc. I will NEVER buy another VW again.

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  Frustrated with computer related prob - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By cmn168 - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Picked up my brand new 2003 Passat on 6/28/03. Towed to dealership on 7/6/03 with 113 miles, due to computer prob. Picked up the repaired car on 7/9/03. Towed to the dealship again on 7/26/03 with 581 miles for similar computer prob. and the car is still in the shop, as of 8/1/03.

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  Leaks and radio problems - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By docbob - March 24 - 10:16 am

  Absolutely do not buy this car. There are at least two inherent design flaws that will make the car unacceptable. 1. When you remove your key from the ignition the window drops slightly to let you out. When it is raining the rain follows the track of the roof into the car along the seal and actually POURS into your lap before you can move. You get rained on in the car! 2. The radio antenna is in the trunk. Not on top of the trunk or up front but inside so radio stations do not hold, satellite reception comes and goes abruptly and am is an almost total wash out of static. I addressed both these issues and some others with the dealership and was informed there is nothing they can do.

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  Sadly Disappointed - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Curie - March 23 - 9:26 am

  Having driven a classic Beetle as a teenager, this car was a major disappointment. Three months after buying the car, the fuel pump relay died leaving me stranded at 10:00 pm. Three years after buying the car, I traded it in for a 2010 Honda Fit. The lights and radio wouldnt work when it was cold. The heater wouldnt work when the car was idling. The drivers headlight had to be replaced due to "faulty wiring". Upon acceleration or deceleration, the car would often hesitate. After a snow storm, snow would often get trapped in the wheel well causing the car to shake at speeds above 40 mph. Living in Nebraska, its important to have a reliable car.

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  I like it, but would not buy one again - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jnjhoughtailing - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I just bought the car about a year ago, I hav ehad problems with the door, it wouldnt open. The windows latch is going to break off. The radio goes up and down without me touching it and I had to get all new brakes and rotators on all four sides. And some times I cant get the latch to work for the trunck or the gas tank. I love my car, but I would not buy another.