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:

• 

  Might Be A Lemon... Or It Might Just Be The Brand - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By jen86 - March 17 - 3:22 am

  I bought my rabbit used from a Volkswagen dealership in 09, its an 07 model and it only had 12,000 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. Its now got about 77,000 miles on it, & its had problems since I got it. This car has had the wheel well fill up with water and seep through my seats ($4-500 fix) a bolt fall out of the engine mount (covered by warranty), the alternator failed at 50,000 miles ($500 at the dealer), the airbag light & the brake pads are worn light (electrical issue) are both on ($1000 to repair those 2 things at the dealer), and the CV joints are shot ($670 at the dealer). I would caution people against buying a Volkswagen if they want longevity in an automobile.

• 

  Peoples Car?? Not this one. - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Virginia&George - March 15 - 3:56 am

  Yes you change oil every 5000 miles, but you have to go to the dealer and buy SPECIAL VW oil?? To do any basic maintenance you need a degree in mechanics?! Even then, you may not be able to reach the fitting or part that you want to service because it is so cramped and difficult. Now after 3 years we have problems: (a) difficulty in starting cold engine in the morning, (b) things fall apart inside the cabin (ashtray, window controls, hand-brake knob, etc.), (c) when you start engine lots of white smoke is delivered by exhaust pipe.

• 

  POS Car, company and experience - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dAve - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Definitely NOT the experience of owning two Hondas. Oxygen sensor problem at 40K, car burned oil for first 24K miles, still occasionally burns oil, bad suspension caused premature tire wear, very poor paint -- scratches too easily. Poorly designed front bumper, held on by plastic clips that pop off easily. Catch a high curb and it will come right off. VW of America was less than cooperative. Not recommended AT ALL. The dealerships were very good at "going to bat" for you and getting coverage.

• 

  Unsatisfactory - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By D. Melton - March 7 - 10:06 pm

  I purchased a brand new German automobile with great credentials and reviews in the safety, performance and reliability categories. Ive been dissapointed from about 6 months after my purchase on. Ive had multiple problems and numerous return trips to the dealership. However, after two years they do have a fix for the trunk. They will install new hinges that actually do not require prying open and then slamming the trunk down. Go to dealership and have them order the new hinges for you.

• 

  every month a trip to the dealer!! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jmm - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I have had to take the car back to the dealer for every conceivable repair, thankfully all under warranty. This car has had major electrical problems-- the engine, the brakes, the transmission shifter, the windows, etc. It is a nice looking car, and fun to drive (when it is running), but it has been extremely unreliable.

• 

  Not Ready for Prime time - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By long time vw owner - March 4 - 3:06 am

  Ive owned about 8 other VWs over the years, and this may be the last. Reliability poor: transmission and running gear replaced. Tire pressure warning system erratic. Eats tires (replaced at 18K). Gas mileage is very poor. Very complex car, lots of electronics, much to go wrong. If you buy this car, be sure to purchase an extended warranty

• 

  Disappointing - 2005 Volkswagen Golf
  By Andy - March 3 - 3:30 pm

  I bought this car expecting good milage, in exchange for weak performance. Instead I got weak performance and 20mpg on the highway. Worst automatic Ive yet encountered. Decent little car apart from the powertrain, though. Just keep off the highway and expect SUV-like gas bills.

• 

  Paint Scratches Easily - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Hopper1965 - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had the same problems as the other reviewers but my complaint is the paint and interior plastic components. The exterior paint around the door handles shows scratch marks. The scratches arent caused by a key, just simply from my own fingernails...and I dont have long nails. The interior plastic cover around the radio and climate control also scratches very easily.

• 

  Clutch Goes At 29000 miles? - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Schwaggydog - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Ok i have had my Jetta for 3 months now and i have had to pay 1500 to get my clutch and fly-Wheel replaced and I asked a friend that restores love bugs and he said that it has a hydrolic clutch that is damn neer impossible to beun out yet VW says it was all my faut.But last wed some trick rearended me and pushed my Jetta under a pickup truck totaling the jetta which i guess ended the saga of that car. The two things good about the car is the proformance and the car held its ground in the accident other than the fact that the air-bags didnt go off.

• 

  Beware of Problems - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Jac Lavone - February 24 - 12:36 pm

  I have had two Volkswagen Touaregs and had nothing but headaches. VW doesnt want to deal with many of the ongoing issues and they eventually refunded my payments and took back the vehicles. The truck is beautiful until you have your FIRST problem. Then, run!