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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  Bad Quality - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tony - November 30 - 7:40 am

  I have a 2001 Jetta. The check engine light has come on numerous times during the past couple of years and I have spent more than $1,500 a year on repairs, over and above the regular maintenance. I am really tired of this cars bad quality. My colleague has the same one and has the same problems. I will never buy a VW again! Quality is the key, look at all of the Japanese cars around.

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  Great - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Midwestredroger - November 27 - 7:46 pm

  This car has been very reliable. My only complaint is that it has a lot of body roll when making turns, at least compared to my Porsche.

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  Yet another lemon New Beetle - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By onclewillie - November 27 - 1:36 pm

  The worst VW I have ever owned. Hideous number of electrical problems with multiple trips to the dealer for air bags, engine indicator lights, turn signals and so on. Transmission died a few miles from expiration. I actually pulled to the side of the road, called the dealer on my cellular phone and reported the problem and gave them the mileage a told them the problem occurred UNDER warranty. The timing belt broke, roughly a 300 buck fix, but it took out all but 2 valves. Cost over 3,000 to put back on the road and then more problems with the exhaust and gaskets. Now the turbo makes a funny, and not ha-ha, noise and I am looking at my fourth set of tires. Will never own another VW.

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  Dont buy this car ! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mary - November 27 - 8:20 am

  I have a love hate relationship with my car. When its running, I love it the feel of the wheel and the way it handles the road. Unfortunately I didnt know of the known electrical problems until they started happening to me. From the first month of ownership this car has made repeated visits to the dealership. The electrical sleeve had to be replaced on the driver side because the wires broke, are they kidding? I had the ignition replaced, tires 2x, brakes... electrical components and more electrical components... Poor paint, it blisters in the summer and it wears off.

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  2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Anthony Fields - November 27 - 2:36 am

  What a car for the money! The 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T has luxury, a beautiful ride, and so many extras that I didnt even know about until I got home! I love it! It is so roomy and comfortable!

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  I love my Jetta - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By U Hansen - November 27 - 2:33 am

  I love this car. I handles great. Fuel consumption is reasonable. It is an excellent city car, but also good on the highway. I have had four Jettas, and this is by far the best.

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  VW - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Robby - November 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is great,it gets good mileage, has pep,and it is fun to drive.

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  Volkswagn Turbo S Review - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Claire Henrichs - November 27 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely awesome car! Fun to drive. Super fast pickup and excellent performance.

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  Total price too high! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By dmaravei - November 27 - 2:00 am

  in owning a passat one has to be carefull as to the cost and quality of service available and has to be considered in the total price. Avalability of trained service technicians is scarce and the cost of parts is also something to be reckoned with. An onboard diagnostic computer which would print out the problem would help the consumer in not being taken by the dealer or be the training guineapig of the technician

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  Mixed Emotions - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By josiekat - November 26 - 3:06 pm

  Ive had this car in my possesion for 13 days, the dealership has had it the rest. There is a problem with one day time running light staying on after the car is turned off and the key is removed. Ive had some funky stuff happen with the dash warning lights coming on and "nothing is wrong" So far, the Jetta had been a very bad experience.