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 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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  VW Passat GLX - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By akillebrew - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Exceptional choice, fun to drive, well built, just look at the number of copies for style.

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  1.8Turbo Passat GLS - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Pastafarian - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This is a great family sedan -- room for 3 kids, comfortable, fun 5sp manual, and thrifty on gas (1.8T). Acceleration is adequate with the manual, but you wont win any races. Handling is decent on winding country roads, but you should opt for bigger wheels if you can.

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  JETTA GLI - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By scottr - April 10 - 2:00 am

  FUN CAR TO DRIVE, GOOD VALUE FOR THE MONEY

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  my jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kegmaster - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Alittle more pricey than the rest but definently an all around better car.

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  my view of a jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kim Figliulo - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I think that the Volkswagon Jetta is one of the best cars ever made. It is in style and has great gas mileage. However, I have had troubles with the transmission.

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  Worst Car Ever - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By rhemms - April 10 - 1:28 am

  Ive had a lot of used cars and this one tops the replacements I have had to put in it. The sludge build up required motor and everything connected to the motor to be replaced (hoses, belts, etc). I also had cracked pipes. And, to top it off I now have the ABS module gone bad. I have a 99 Taurus that Ive only spent 1000 on so far. This car, Ive spent over 5000, and , I havent replaced the module yet!

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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.

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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.