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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  Bad Bad Bad Car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Fabi - May 26 - 2:06 pm

  I bought it with 90.000 miles on it. Paid $3000,00 and in less than 2 months I had spend $3,600 in parts. The car doesnt go one week without breaking is weird ! is bad If I could go back in time I would never buy it ! after that I had to spend more money because the car is always breaking down. You never know when you will be able to wake up and go to work because you never know if your car will start! CRAZY! MY ADVICE DONT BUY IT!

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  LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By spietrowski - May 24 - 10:00 am

  The pluses of this car are that it is very fun to drive. The engine is powerful and acceleration great. It feels solid on the road and handles well. HOWEVER, never again. In the 6 years Ive owned it Ive had to fix: various front end problems, the transmission, window regulators, security system, damaged hoses and now the ABS

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  only lemon NOT - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By JUNKOWNER - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I also have had most thing replaced on my car. a/c, wipermotor, turbor, sensors are being changed all the time fuel pressure, and other things, timing belt as suggested 2 months ago now its in for a motor problem possible cam chain broke or tenioner they keep changing their mind on whats the problem..and the exterior is rusting in odd places such as the middle of the doors.

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  2017 r line - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By NYpassat - May 7 - 10:53 pm

  I recommend another vw model other than the r line. I just had the worst experience after getting a screw in my tire. Nobody carries these tires!(235-40-19) Nope, not even the vw dealer I went to. They said they would have to order it because they dont carry them since they dont sell many of these tires. That is ridiculous to me...you cant carry one set?? I had to drive home to ny from sc on the spare tire.

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  This car is NO GOOD - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By One Time Owner - May 5 - 9:26 am

  This is my first - and last - Volkswagen. My 2002 Jetta had constant issues after 15,000 miles. So far the power windows have stuck down, I have had the radio replaced twice, the brake switch out (that was fun - driving with no brake lights for who knows how long), it has had constant battery issues since I bought the car (I have replaced it three times already and still have to keep a jump starter in my car for the inevitable 2-3 times per month that I need it), the seat heater shorted out - be careful - it will burn you, the center console is broken, and the passenger seat has coughed up two springs so far (my dealer says its no big deal). The inside looks nice - but Im constantly having little plastic pieces breaking off - and Im pretty careful with my car. Avoid this car.

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  Fuel Problem/Engine lights on - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Norm - May 2 - 5:33 pm

  My car is only a moth old and they already replace gas cap due to engine light on. After a few months later another problem occur fuel gauge not working & showing fuel tank not full. Number on the dash board keep changing and not accurate.

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  20,000 mile update - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By fcwarrior - May 1 - 4:57 am

  I have been generally amazed at how much I like my Golf TDI. I came from an Audi S4 so less power is very obvious but the diesel torque curve is so good this car is really enjoyable up in the Rockies. MPG is about 36-38 in winter and 38-40 in summer. Longer trips will average 41-44 but I have seen 52 mpg on a 120 mile freeway trip and 5-8 mpg on a really cold morning commute:} I think the Fuel Injection and Engine Management electronics are very rudimentary and you can feel it compensating all the time for hills and other situations. Turbo lag is nothing like as bad as in a Mini but is still very noticeable. Putting it in Sport certainly helps but then mpg plummets.

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  Numerous Problems - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By rodenhuis - April 30 - 10:00 am

  The car drives great, but..... I have experienced numerous problems and VW does not appear to be willing to stand behind their product and resolve all the issues. Problems include Steering wheel not straight, tire balance issues, sunroof seal, transmission shifting problems, compass display, window washers, cracked interior trim, etc. I keep wondering what the next problem will be.

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  Never Again - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tiffany - April 29 - 9:36 am

  My husband got fooled into buying this vehicle. We have had nothing but ongoing problems. We had a warranty, and unfortunately nothing was covered. The interior was falling apart, water pump went out, air conditioning broke, so on, and so on. The problem with these vehicles is that you CANNOT fix anything. You have to take it to a Volkswagen dealer. They have so many electrical problems that it isnt worth it. We traded it in, (for a Toyota) and didnt get anything out of it, but at least we have a reliable vehicle. Never again will we make the mistake of purchasing a Volkswagen.

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  Problem car - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Upset - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new, and from 5000 miles on have had nothing but problems. Its been in the shop about 6 times for problems, not general auto service. Ive had electrical problems galore with this car, to the point where they have replaced 4 sensors, and now finally the entire electrical cluster. The A/C broke. The power windows, and ABS system have malfunctioned. P.S. I only have 30,000 on the car.