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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  TDI Diesel Beetle After Seven Years - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By diesel - May 23 - 3:06 pm

  After seven years of daily use, I am still very happy with my Beetle. Other New Beetles have had reliability problems, but I have had no problems with the engine or transmission. I have had minor problems with the window switches breaking, but the replacements seem to have held up. This is a much better engine than the 2.0L gas, and it gives far better economy. The downside is whenever we go somewhere I always have to drive!

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  Electrical problems - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Gayle - May 23 - 1:43 am

  I bought this used @ 23K from the dealership. Just love this car but now have had it in twice for electrical harness problems. Every light lit up on dash, replaced some wires. Two weeks later, same problem, lost all power and now VW is replacing whole electrical harness system. In for service for over a week. Interior make- up lights had to be replaced also, along with one recall.

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  A Nice Surprise - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By TwoLabs - May 21 - 10:56 pm

  What a nice surprise the GTI has been. I have never really noticed the GTI before, but ended up buying one. I am very satisfied so far. Only 250 miles, but it is hard to stop driving. The power is fantastic and the overall feel in the cabin is comfortable. I have the 4 door and I was surprised with the ample legroom. No complaints at all. Just a fun, comfortable rocket ship with many amenities to enjoy.

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  never buying a VW again - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By no more vws - May 21 - 5:56 am

  car ran well for about a year before everything went wrong. Bought with 76,000 now has 130,000 miles Muffler fell off about 7 times resulting in lots of repair costs. When everything seemed ok the distributor went and needed new wires. After that the spark plugs had a problem resulting in gas killing my catalytic convertor and o2 sensors that =$1,200 worth of repairs. Had steering problems and a few days ago the clutch broke and stuck to the floor. Quick fix for about $200 bucks but warned that the clutch will go very soon. Body is rusting faster and faster where it is to the point that you cannot even jack the car up without the body crumbling. Replacing car ASAP and never buying VW again

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  Buy Something Else! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Joe - May 20 - 11:23 am

  I bought this Jetta as a replacement for my aging Saab 900SE in 12/04. This car looked really nice with its low stocky stance and red and blue lights inside. It sure was a looker, but thats where the love affair ended. Fourth gear on the car would rattle and there was a buzzing / rattling in the headliner that would get on my everlasting nerves! It got HORRIBLE gas mileage for a 4yl. car and it had NO power at all. I thought all European cars were made the same, well I guess VW is the redheaded stepchild of the bunch. It also burned oil and the front bumper would occasionally fall off for no apparent reason! I sold it last year and dont miss it at all.

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  Very nice but too small - 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By frenchguy007 - May 20 - 8:24 am

  Great SUV but the cargo space is quite lacking compared to the competition (50% less space!). The wheelbase also makes for a choppy ride on rougher roads. Wish that VW would make the Tiguan longer so that it would give a more comfortable ride (both in interior space and road manners).

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  Hidden gem - best deal on the market - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Richard - May 19 - 7:30 pm

  This is a great car. With twins on the way, we knew it was minivan time and dutifully test drove the Sienna and Odyssey. We looked at the Routan initially as an afterthought, but my wife was sold within minutes. The designers really understand how families will use this car, while the options and price VW crushed the competition. And, I have to admit, the car is fun to drive. the 4.0 v6 is powerful, I love the handling, the family is comfortable and, with the entertainment system, occasionally entertained on long drives. The nav system is terrific and the dashboard elegant and useful, particularly at night. I was a lifelong Toyota buyer, but not anymore.

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  Recently leased 2015 E-golfs. - 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf
  By george ivanov - May 19 - 3:13 pm

  Before I begin my review I want to say I am in the Navy and this is the first time I am writing a negative review about anything that I have bought in my life. I recently leased one of those 2015 Golf-e models. It looks great feels great until you get on the freeway. The mile estimate on the sticker is not nearly accurate. I drove only 40 on a fully charged battery and I was almost out of juice. Beware and avoid at all times if you commute on highway to and from work. Unless you want to see your wife crying and deal with all the head aches and range anxiety due to fact that the battery runs out so fast when you dont have the break regenerating. If you how ever like traffic and drive only in traffic by all means get it. The moment there is constant acceleration cross your finger since you will be looking for a charging station in no time. If you are lucky enough you dont have to pay and the charging station actually works. I will post a video on you tube to show the true performance of the Golf-e on a highway. I guess if you drive in town less than 40 miles a day this car is for you. If not I do not recommend taking your chances like I did. Now I am stuck with a vehicle I cannot use for 3 years.

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  Great Car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Emilio Pintado - May 18 - 6:46 pm

  I am very happy with the car so far. It is very fast for 100 hp, has great handling, and is fun to drive with the 17" wheels upgrade. I have the manual version and love it. The engine sound and looks are sporty. The 10 speaker stereo sounds amaizing.

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  Almost there - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By MLevine - May 18 - 6:38 am

  A great SUV except engine is underpowered. Everything was great once we sat inside and reviewed the features. Once on the road that was the deal breaker. Engine needs some more horsepower.