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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  dont buy this car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DCM - April 25 - 10:00 am

  After purchasing this car and having NOTHING but major problems with it, I started doing research on Volkswagen and found these are probably the most unreliable cars on the market. Almost every review ive seen has nothing but negative things to say about them, yet Edmunds and CR recommends them?? WHATS GOING ON?!?!?!?! Not only are they made in Mexico, but the have one of the worst warranties on the market and follow up service is a JOKE. Good luck getting VW of America to listen also, they really dont care. PLEASE do your research and use your brain!!! these cars are all lemons and thats a fact. Dont take the chance like I did, you WILL be sorry

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  VW RIPOFF 2006 tdi RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By john brown - April 23 - 7:32 pm

  I bought this car new all maintenance and oil and filter changes done since I bought it. I have had to replace radiator, air cond compressor, alternator, anti shudder valve, egr cooler clutch, now at 188000 miles the cam needs to be replaced plus the tappets and the vacuum pump I have spent over $7000 dollars so far on repairs not counting what this is going to cost my suggestion STAY AWAY FROM VOLKSWAGON.

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  I Thought It Was Only My Luck - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By BostonNancy - April 21 - 4:06 pm

  I thought it was only my luck when my Jetta broke down within the first few months I purchased it. After all, I did buy it on September 11, 2001. After countless visits to the dealership (for non-routine services), years of frustration and headaches, a few near-death experiences, and tens of thousands in cash, I will finally pay off my Jetta this September. But whats the point now? Ive put so much money and energy into a car that is barely drivable. This is my first and last VW ever! I am just so damn tired having to deal with all the crap this car brings.

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  Wont buy another VW - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Erica - April 17 - 1:33 pm

  I was initially really excited about my Touareg, but became suspicious after a road trip that included lots of error messages. When I brought it to the VW dealership to have it checked out, they were not willing to take the time to find out what was going on and told me to come back if it happened again. After a short year and a half we had to put $3000 into it for new tires, breaks, rotors, etc. None of which were included in the warranty although it was leased, I should have known, but was disappointed anyway. The lights go out while driving periodically for no apparent reason. The lining on the door handles are also peeling. Fuel economy is poor, but we knew that. The CD player is poor.

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  Stay away from 1.8T - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Adam from Michigan - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This is the WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED!!! Since 900 miles, I have had extremely rough idle on cold startup. Finally, one year 4 service appointments later (including a visit to VW of NA headquarters in MI), they replaced the engine control module and seem to have solved the problem. Additionally, a $24K vehicle should not squeek and rattle as terribly as this, even on Michigans pothole-infested roads! DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE LEMONS!!!

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  mechanics needed - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pete reno - April 7 - 10:10 pm

  I purchased my Jetta TDI Sedan brand new, the car pulled to the right severely, after months of letter writing phone calls, and endless visits to the servise dept, VW gave me another car. After 5,000 miles in the new car the steering wheel shakes severely. I have made numerous visits to the dealer with absolutely no help. VW of America was worse, I would never ever own another Volkswagen.

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  not so fun to push - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By NOLONGERAFAN - April 6 - 4:26 am

  I was excited to purchase my third VW. I bought it with 31k on it.. By 70k I was stranded in Boston with a blown engine. VW refused to fix it because it was 5k or so over the powertrain warranty. Sludge problems on them are common yet they have no desire to correct any issue with it. Finally they agreed to give me 1k towards fixing it (which as you know if you own a VW dealeship garage prices are insane .. I was quoted a 6k figure to fix the engine ) in addition to the engine brake lights cont to come on and off, the check engine regardless of anything refuses to go away, and electrical system is poor. Its sad to see that a car that had a solid reputation has decreased in quality so much.

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  unhappy with new jetta - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By booksbooks - April 3 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a new Jetta. In only 2 weeks, I have already had 2 different problems requiring 2 different trips to the dealership. Neither VW nor the dealership offered a free rental car while my car was being repaired.

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  worry about quality - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By yanhua - April 1 - 1:18 pm

  Unfortunately, my 2009 Tiguan has big problems. At 36000miles, water pump was broken. At 40000 miles, oil is leaky. It cost me about $2000 to fix the problems.

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  What a nightmare - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By SoCalGirl - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car brand new and it started giving me problems before the 6 month mark. At one point the dealership had my car for 3 weeks. Is currently at dealer again and will cost $780 this time for a chip. Electronics choose not to work from time to time and close to impossible to maintain on your own.