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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  Do not buy Passat - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Roman - December 25 - 11:53 pm

  Once warranty was over my Passat started to fall apart. In its fifth year I spent over 5,000 on service and maintenance. VW service after recent inspection informed me about 2 additional things that need to be done in the nearest future (additional $2,000). I wont buy Volkswagen again and I recommend you to stay away from Volkswagen

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  My Last VW - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By hsk15kaol - December 25 - 10:30 pm

  From the start I knew we were in serious trouble. Our first problems started less than one week from delivery and they have gone on from then. To list it... Bad sensor in trans, missing parts under front end, gas pedal got stuck under center console trim (VW has no answer on this one, almost killed us!) Power window modulator failure, doors that do not close correctly, and the list goes on. We do not use the panoramic sunroof as it has failed twice and the dealership claims it is fine... okay, right on! Many issues come and go, and it is horrible in the cold and all around a clunker! BEWARE, it is a VW and they are no as reliable as they were... We have owned 10, and this is our last!

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  This Car SUCKS - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By myjettasucks - December 24 - 1:10 pm

  I have had this car for only 9 months and I am already getting rid of it. Jettas may look cool, but reliability sucks. Since having it I have put nearly $7,000 in repairs. It will run great for a couple of months and then I will have a major problems (i.e. clutch, MAF sensor, ignition coils, MAF again, O2 sensors (yes plural), alternator, and master cylinder to name a few. Displeased doesnt even begin to describe how I feel about this car. I am trading it and sticking with a Toyota or Honda.

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  almost but not quite - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By realmotion69 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  cars in the begining was great until the problems. Extremly cheap parts with a heafty price tag. If your like the excitement of the car outweight my judgement, Anyone know of the crazy sound from the exhaust??? Anyway if you are looking for a lot of features for half the price got car... If you can afford the repairs and there will be some.. but I sold one and bought the exact same car again... Call me a sucker but i love the overall excite and features of the car....

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  Eight Month Driving Experience - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By nancey boatwright - December 18 - 10:16 pm

  We previously owned a 2004 VW Beetle Convertible and traded into this. We do no off-roading, but loved the body style and needed more room. After eleven months of ownership, I have one chief complaint and that is my Pirelli tires after 17,500 miles are gone. I have been diligent about rotation and inflation, per manufacturers instructions, but this problem really has me on fire. I to replace them after eleven months of ownership with another brand (Michelin), will cost me $1,200. I have been told by tire manufacturers that the most I could expect to get out of a set of tires would probably be 25,000 miles.

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  Never ever! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By katysue81 - December 7 - 1:49 pm

  I got this car just a few months ago. Ever since I got it, I have had nothing but problems. No skid plate anymore, 3 bent rims, it doesnt take potholes and dips too well. A newer clutch, the throw out bearing is already going out. It needs engine mounts, no matter which way you push your window button, it will go the way it wants to. In less than 3 months I have already had to replace alternator, serpentine belt (twice) battery, brakes and roders, 02 sensor. There is a short somewhere in the car. My lights will randomly flick on and off just driving down the road. Its fun to drive, and speedy. But unless you have a couple thousand saved up in the bank for repairs, dont get this.

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  Never Again! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By AmyG - December 6 - 11:46 pm

  Two years ago when I bought my Jetta, I loved it... a few months later I realized what a mistake I made getting rid of my old car. Ive had it in for problems, which seem to keep recurring. Twice in less than a year the engine indicator light and the temperature light have come on due to problems, a headlight, two brake lights, and a blinker light all have been out, a new tire and not to mention the window that wouldnt go up. Its one thing after another.

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  bling, but your bnk acct it will clean! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dont do it - December 6 - 9:46 pm

  This car was fun to drive until the relationship degenerated to the point I cringed ever time I had to start it, fearing something else would break.If I werent able to complete most repairs myself, Id probably have spent 5-8k in repairs.All the usual problems—bad ignition coils, 3 radios, window regulators,broken keyfob, multiple wheel bearings (as in 7 or 8 of them), various failed switches, broken glovebox door, broken center console latch (x5) & antenna. In addition, I had 3 airbag system component failures (which I couldn’t fix myself and cost $$$) and a wheel vibration issue that nobody could resolve. I gave up at 79k because I knew the plastic waterpump impeller was on borrowed time

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  Dont Fall Under The Cute Spell! - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By harvestmoon - December 4 - 8:40 pm

  Fell in love with the cars look and would be a happy camper if it werent for all of the little hiccups the car had. I owned this car for 6 months. In those 6 months the top stopped working, the door locks and the cd player malfunctioned, the inside started rattling and squeaking, and the gas gauge broke. This was a 2007 NBC! If you are thinking about buying this car, please keep looking. Maybe a mini? Believe me when I say HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! If you already own one...good luck!

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  Wouldnt buy again - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By sdemarch - November 30 - 10:00 am

  Would never buy a VW again after this experience. The car has been to the dealer greater than 8 times for repairs that range from water pooling in the front seat to engine coils needing replacement. Car continues to shake with the mechanics not knowing how to fix it.