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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  3rd VW - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By JGa - May 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd VW that I have owned and it is the best. I also own a Lexus and a Acura so I think I have a good comparison in the quality department. I had looked at BMW but for the price this GTI is better, even than most cars at 50% higher price maybe even double the price. Quality is online with Acura but not as good as my Lexus. The ride is very comfortable. I am very happy with the car

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  Quality Issues Galore! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Unhappy in Houston - May 11 - 2:00 am

  My 99 Passat needed new brakes at 35,000 miles, the driver turn light assembly fell off (while driving 70 mph on the freeway)at 34,000 miles, the passenger side boot failed at 30,000 miles and was replaced by VW under warranty, at 36,000 mi. the driver side boot has failed and VW says is not part of the drive train, therefore not covered under the 100,000 miles warranty! We have owned cars for 20 years with fewer repairs!!

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  Love At First Sight - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sys3175 - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I saw this car sitting at a lot near my home when I was in the market for a new car, I actually wasnt all that interested in a used vechicle but due to financing problems I was running into I decided to give the dealership a try. Within 15mins I was on a testdrive and immediately noticed how well the car handled, with 40,000 miles on it; it still ran as if it was brand ,new I had driven an Impala SS (2004), Malibu (2004), Toyota Camary 2004 and a few others and nothing came close to it except the Imapala which was over double the price. Everything about this car feels quality, the interior, exterior, door handles..

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  Good transportation - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By adermard - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Good car. Two major components needed to be replaced (clutch and cruise control) but otherwise mostly minor things have broken. Its small, fun to drive, holds things alright with the seat folded down. Comfortable on the highway and gets an unbelievable 44+ mpg at 90mph, 49 at normal speeds. Enough power, it feels equally as fast as a standard beetle. Interior is funky, you either like it or you dont. Everything was easily replaired but this is the list of things that have broken: mirror adjuster broke off, window switches, center console latch, the drivers window (warranty)

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  Stay away!!! Has SOOO many issues!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By passathater - May 10 - 3:46 pm

  I bought my 2004 Passat GL in 2011 with 91k mi. on it for $7900. In just 3 years Ive spent over $3600 on it not including regular maintenance. Oil sludge, both front axle boots torn, both brake rotors, leaking coolant, new thermostat housing and new thermostat, and many, many other problems!! Currently at 130k miles the timing belt broke. Could cost me $900-$3000+ to fix depending on the damage done to the engine. Its current value wasnt even worth it to fix. I sincerely advise EVERYONE to stay away from this vehicle!!! I personally will NEVER buy a Volkswagen again!! Dont make the mistake I did... DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!

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  GOLF - Simply awesome - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Hogan Jr. - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I considered the Focus, Saturn, Civic, and Sentra before I finally settled on my Golf. Dont let the 115 HP fool you. Its got some umph!! The Golf feels like it should be $5,000 more than it costs. The Monsoon sounds great and the Indiglo Blue looks great. Heated seats, washers, and mirrors will be nice come December. Crash data an added plus.

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  review - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Bpugac2925 - May 10 - 10:00 am

  VW should close its faxtory in Mexico. Too many problems with VW Golf GLS 2.0 Ring job (At 18000 miles to reduce oil cosumtion), passenger power window (twice), headlight, poor gas mileage (should do 33-35 on highway), Great expectations,poor reality.

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  Sporty and Practical - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Uthor - May 9 - 3:23 pm

  I bought the GTI to have a fun car to drive while still being able to live with it day by day. It has more than enough power for the street. Quick steering and an easy to use 6-speed gear box, but the clutch travel is long. There is a huge aftermarket to tweak the car to exactly how you want it. Fits four people with ease. The hatch is a bit small compared to my last cars trunk, but cavernous once the rear seats fold down. Adequate 6-disc CD stereo for a non-audiophile. Ive had no mechanical problems. The biggest problem with owning the car is how expensive maintenance can be, especially if down at the dealer, but the recommended 10,000 miles between oil changes helps with that.

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  Fun Car to Drive - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Monte - May 9 - 9:16 am

  For starters folks, if your looking at a used Beetle be prepared to put a little time and money into it. I have found so many things that the first 2 owners never took care of its crazy. My Beetle has 90,000 miles on it and its never had the cabin filter changed, the plugs and wires where still O.E., the fuel filter had never been replaced. I dont blame the car for these issues I blame the previous owners for not taking good care of the car. Since changing out the items mentioned I average 28 mpg in town and 33-34 mpg on the highway.

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  Hole in One - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By jclaxton - May 9 - 1:30 am

  Exterior: - aggressive looking face - styling not overdone - lustrous metallic paint - perfect size for city driving - wide stance for a small car - dual exhaust - no door moldings (sleeker look) - hidden lift gate latch interior: - soft touch materials/padding - stitched bolstered sport seats - cool red lighting instrument cluster - tilt/telescoping steering wheel - height adjustable seats - lumbar driving experience: - quiet (low road and wind noise) - great steering feel and agile handling - hugs corners, no body lean - accelerates nicely misc: - solid for its size (great crash test scores) - graphite coated wiper blades (quiet swipes) - galvanized steel body panels (resist rust)