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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  Where does my oil go? - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shawndugan - September 23 - 3:20 am

  My Jetta is a beautiful car to behold, but under the hood is a different story. I purchased the car with 40,000 miles on it, so I understand that not everything is going to be perfect, but this is unbelievable. In the first thousand miles it drank 3 quarts of oil. I went to the dealer and the tech there told me that it is acceptable for the car to burn a quart every thousand miles. What? I am very unhappy and he tells me that they stopped making that engine 2.0 L because of the problem. I bought the car to avoid things like this and now for the next 6 years I have to check my oil every time I fill up. I wish someone would have told me, so I`m telling you, don`t buy this car!

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  Great all around vehicle - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dan G - September 22 - 10:10 pm

  Fun to drive, reliable and gets 40 mpg city driving, 50+ highway. Trim is poor, out and in. Door, manual door locks, molding, glove box, nobs, all have been broke. Living in Denver, CO, it starts in cold and takes a few miles to warm up - that is diesel, no problem. Runs up to the mountains at speed. With 200K, finally replaced clutch. Lots of cooling hoses which are not easy to replace. German engineering: what are thinking? Frustrating to work on, fortunately, that does not occur very often. ANY work by an independent, German mech costs $$$, parts are outrageously $$$, I know my junk yard guy. NO trouble with engine,fuel, cooling, heating, electric systems (manual windows).

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  Its great ... - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ky - September 22 - 11:03 am

  This car is the perfect car for a teenage in high school or college. My parents bought me one last October, and it has worked great for me. I went fromm a 2001 4Runner to this and it is much easier to drive. I would recommend this car to any parent thinking about buying a car for their child. Even my guy friends think it is one of the best drives they have ever driven when they get behind the wheel. The only think they are againt is the color i picked... mellow yellow, but i love it and thats all that matters right. My neighbors loved the car so much they went out and bought the exact same one color and everything. Overall its a great car.

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  Review - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By DDP - September 22 - 2:00 am

  A great car which is super reliable. The styling is a little plain but and outdated. The VR6 engine is great though a little more power could be needed. But, a great car overall.

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  Volkswagon New Beetle - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jamiebug04 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I love driving my Bug, however I have had many problems with the electrical system..The windows have been fixed 5 times, the gas door has been fixed once, the Oxygen Sensors have been fixed twice, the trunk wont open with the electric switches, and the CD player wont work. However, I have had no problems with the engine. I would not recommend others to buy this car because of the annoyances of the problems.

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  FUN DRIVING IN THE WIND - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By TERRY MEYERS - September 22 - 2:00 am

  VERY SMOOTH RIDING AND SHIFTING . WE HAD A 2001 BEETLE AND THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. IT IS A FUN CAR TO DRIVE AND HAS A LOT OF PEP. WE HAVE A 1.8 TURBO CONVERTIBLE. THIS IS A CLASS CAR VW YOU HAVE COME BACK.

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  Save your money!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Heather Boyd - September 22 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst car that I have ever owned. Repairs are as follows: Headlights 2 times,Disc brakes and rotors (at 30000 miles), Check engine light on constanly(costing $90.00 every time) EGR valve,Air dam,Brake switch,Fuel line freeze up at 25 degrees. Not to mention the 24/24 warranty.Dealer is tired of me coming back all the time. Save your money!!! Also... At 50000 miles it will cost you $500.00 to replace the timing belt.

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  There is a reason I named her Nyx... - 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By fieryimpassion - September 21 - 5:12 pm

  I live in 4 seasons country and I have now converted to 4motion as a way of life. Driving to work everyday on poorly plowed roads allows me to do circles around other SUVs and I pushed my car hard to get to work on time and have yet to spin out. I am not a professional driver but I have driven a lot across the country many times and my car has yet to fail, sputter, or slight in any form of performance. She takes what gets thrown at her with a determined grin. The turbo-charged engine makes easy work of green lights and passing cars on the freeway. Mileage has been about 24/25mpg steadily and I have yet to have a major repair going on 1.5 years/ 11000+ miles. Miles are too easy.

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  Great Commuter Vehicle - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Good agent - September 21 - 3:13 pm

  The Jetta TDI is a great car for driving long distances in. I drive 60 miles one-way to work and the fuel mileage is great. The car has about 40,000 miles on it now and I have had no problems. The maintenance is a little pricey, but everything else has been outstanding.

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  best vw wagon - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By markL - September 21 - 10:00 am

  i purchased this wagon only afew months ago but looked at audi a-4 avant, saab 9/5 wagon and volvo. i special ordered this car. no one had reflex silver with grey leather and i!m glad i did , beyound this being a fun car to drive, vw put the new audi 3.0L V 6 in this wagon when they built it. big difference between the 2.8, 190HP. and the new 220HP in this car. only thing missing would be xeonon headlights.