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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  Very Satisfied - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DBJet2002 - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Jetta for 7 months now (8k miles and its been a total pleasure to drive and own. The 2.0L engine is fine for everyday driving, but when you really want to get on it, it lacks the top-end power youd need. Material quality is excellent, seats are comfortable, gas mileage is great. Just the known VW bugs, ie: window regulators, squeaks and rattles, and minor oil consumption. No worries though, I plan on keeping this car for a long time.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Susan - February 8 - 8:33 am

  This has been a very reliable car. No problems. Only needed required maintenance. Brakes last beyond 50,000 miles. Great gas mileage and great in the snow. Has a lot of pick up for a V4 engine... no need for a higher end, gas guzzler for pick up.

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  Wacthy out during and after warranty - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Trey - February 8 - 1:43 am

  I have bought new cars for years. Ive never had problems like this. We own two VWs so I feel I am quite experienced to tell you not to buy one. During warranty they will fix everything no problem. Of course you have to take it in tens times. I own a 2005 Passat and a 2004 Touareg each only gets around 14000 a year in milage. Now that it is out of warranty I am shelling out money left and right. Rear window hydraulics gone at 61k miles etc. - transmission has had three repairs and has broken down again today leaving me stranded in the woods with my family while camping with a 5 yo. I will never let the reliability of a volkswagon be the determining factor of my familys safety again.

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  Attractive and Fun - but unreliable - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By NoMoreVW - February 7 - 7:43 pm

  My second Passat...Nice to look at? Yes. Fun to drive? Yes. However, its as if the car was programmed to self destruct. Have had to replace the turbo cutoff valve, A/C condenser, cam shaft (Yes, the cam shaft!), driver door handle mechanism and trunk latch...all in the last year! Things go wrong with this car that havent gone wrong with cars in 40 years.

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  Fantastic Commuter Car! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dieselbreath - February 7 - 2:00 am

  I ordered this car Jan.1998 after sitting in one at the Vancouver International Auto Show (Im 65"). But its so much better than just an economy car with headroom. Beetles handle well. The torque launches the car off traffic lights faster than most "performance" cars! Maneuvering in tight locations is a breeze, and there are parking spots it will fit into everywhere. LOW POINTS: - its low to the ground ... if you encounter lots of snow its not the car for you. - the suspension doesnt have the travel to soak up bumps like a typical German car. - the back seat is NOT for adults. (but kids love it) Other than that its reliable and economical.

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  Never Again - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Stiesmes - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Fun car..but never again! Rear brakes were gone at 24K miles, but somehow the front brakes were like new. Multiple electrical problems, replaced O2 sensors twice, cup holder replaced, CD player replaced twice, ignition replaced once. Every week I wonder if the car will make it to Friday. This should be called the FIAT Jetta. Im going to sell and look for a used Honda or Toyota.

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  Very Satisfied !!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Augie Lindsay - February 7 - 2:00 am

  I never thought I would be driving VW. Have always been a Ford man. After driving an Expedition, which I enjoyed, I fell in love with the AWD. But I really wanted the comfort and smoothness of a car plus I wanted the car loaded. I figured I would have to go back to the Taurus and have to settle for front wheel drive. Well I found the Passat GLX. A fully loaded vehicle, AWD, comfort, plus about the same price of a very basic Expedition and just a little more than a fully loaded Taurus but what I felt was a better built vehicle. I love the Passat.

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  Volkswagen selling defect cars and refuse to fix - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mariana - February 6 - 12:34 pm

  Volkswagen rips off consumers, they refuse fixing new cars in worranty and refuse replacement. Car has been in service 4 times and no one did anything to fix it , they only claim they fix it, in the other hand warranty refuse to cover anything even if the car its still in warranty only 6 months old 10k mil. Stay away , Volkswagen its a rip off and they also discriminate woman, everyone should know about this before buying a car from them.

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  toureg v-8 - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By j bergtold - February 6 - 4:03 am

  i like the color combination- off-road gray and the teak interior,i have over 21000 miles now with zero problems,the 4.2 liter v-8 has more than adequate power for this suv. my previous car was an mb 430 and this suv is much better in every respect.

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  A Great Car for an even better price - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Josh - February 5 - 11:46 pm

  Wife purchased the Jetta back in 2007. Has accumulated many miles on it since (currently on 45k and running strong). Family trips to the mountains, daily driving, and long work commutes, this car has handled all of it beautifully. Reliability has been amazing and I (the husband) love how it holds 6.5 quarts of oil (though the filter is a pain to change), we can easily run nearly 10k miles on a change with good synthetic oil. Looking at purchasing an Audi now to add to our German family. Highly recommend to anyone: single wanting a sporty car, newly weds looking to expand, or the family looking for a safe and reliable vehicle. This is a truly multi purpose vehicle.