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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  Absolutely amazing car for $250/mo w/ no money dwn - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Balki Bartakamoos - August 7 - 10:47 am

  The more I drive it, the more I like it. The overall design of all of its functions was very well thought out. Its not a sports car with a ton of boost, but be in the right gear and its plenty quick, handles great, is comfy with plenty of storage, great electronics connectivity and controls with apple software support, and a very quiet interior 2x better than any car in its price range. Its really like theyre giving them away. I cant possibly imagine a better car for the price. I feel bad for the people paying all that extra money for the GLI as theres no way its that much better than the sport and for many thousand dollars more, I highly doubt it even compares once a month when you have to make the payment. Maybe Im just bias coming from a soul crushing ford focus, but I also have a racecar and this thing is a great time for a daily driver.

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  Acceleration - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Alba Guerrini - August 7 - 7:15 am

  The acceleration of the vehicle is very, very poor. It seems as if the motor is cold. Its a very uncomfortable drive and not so safe when starting to accelerate. DISAPPOINTED.

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  Good Car, but not the best. - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By willelm - August 6 - 5:53 pm

  My wife lovesthe VW Golf, which is good because I just sort of like it. Its the perfect size for her and she loves the way it drives, but I wish that we had gotten the turbo. Some things seem very weak, even fragile, like the door handles and cup holders. The important things though are solid, like the steering and brakes.

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  2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By North VW - August 6 - 3:26 pm

  Good car overall. Lots of pep and comfortable for a 6 ½ foot tall male over 230 lbs. Have radio with satellite XM, however with this configuration iPod not offered. Big bummer at a sticker price of over $40K and still can not hook up the iPod. Squeaky front breaks and a new noise from the front end (constant squeaking from the front end when you hard over to the right, up a small incline. Having it checked on now. Slight plastic-on-plastic vibration noise in the steering column. Overall a very cool car to drive and has all that my past BMW and Audi had (and more). Convenience items abound.

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  Jetta VR6, the Wrong Purchase - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Natalia Samoilovich - August 5 - 1:06 am

  I bought my 2000 Volkswagen Jetta becasue I thought it would be fun to drive and extremely reliable. Boy was I wrong! Fun to drive it was, but terribly unreliable. Within one month of purchasing the Jetta, it was in the shop for electrical problems for the next 5.5 years. This car was in the shop every 3-4 months for 5.5 years. Once the warranty ran out, ouch, is all I have to say. For the dealership just to look at the car cost $94, and usually the repairs were never less than $300 at a time. The transmission had problems twice after 5 years of ownership. If you buy this vehicle, please be prepared to have a large headache. I would not recommended it to even my worst enemy. This car was a curse.

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  2003 Volkswagen Passat 1,8T - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By MirAli - August 4 - 1:10 pm

  We bought this passat brand new, fun to drive, looks very sharp but kinda noisy and very poorly built, we got 5 recalls within a 2 years- fuel p pump, brake light switch, heated seats burned that was recall, factory heat shield had a recall stating it could start a fire in the engine, the stereo system read "error" within the first months of purchase (warranty), brakes needed replacing around 20k. Transmission doesnt feel reliable, got an oil change guy told me I had engine sludge building up ($120) to clean, water pump+thermostat replaced at 36k, last night I was driving then the check engine light started blinking and car started shaking (misfire?) and noise at 42,500 I think its done.

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  What a Piece of Junk - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kristen - August 4 - 6:36 am

  Okay, this is all I have to say about the 2000 Jetta... what a piece of junk! I bought the car from an independently owned dealership (I learned my lesson from that) and the car was running great, Carfax checked out, everything... the next day after I purchased the vehicle, it wouldnt start. It needed new starter. I got that replaced, then three days later, it didnt start again. The sensors started wacking out on it. I took it to two other VW shops, they couldnt figure out the problem. I traded it in three weeks after purchase date for my 1999 Honda Accord, and I love it! It has no problems whatsoever! Dont buy a VW, they are pieces! I did the research, and they are building these things in Mexico! German quality? I think NOT.

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  Love it - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Lehnman - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I love everything. It is built very well and flies. I like the smoothness of the manual. It seems like there is always more than enough power. One thing is there is a rattle on the inside and I hate rattles. Back right side.

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  Unsatisfied - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Daisys mom - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I was an owner of a 4 cyl. auto. Toyota Corolla for 10 yrs. I had to trade it in because it was burning oil and just getting tired but it was very good to me. I should have stuck with Toyota but the Jetta seemed like fun and it had a solid body. I switched over and purchased a 4 cyl. automatic Jetta. I have only owned it for 6 months...it is burning oil, shifts very roughly (jerks you forward) and is running very rough. I am extremely dissapointed. Now I have car payments (I didnt mind taking on) but I also am running into repair bills in the near future. DO NOT purchase one of these vehicles. I am going back to Toyota!!!!

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  Not so good this time either !! - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By 01YellowSlugBug - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd New Beetle. I owned a 98 and a 99 - both which had quality issues. I have been less than impressed with the 2001 as well. It seems that VWs quality hasnt improved much and its customer service needs improvement. I will not be purchasing a 4th Beetle or VW at all.