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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  Cute but not worth it . . . - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaGirl ?? - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 1998 Jetta as my first brand new car. There are lights in my dash that NEVER worked, the key didnt work at first, I have a lot of rollback even though I drive an automative, I have had successive tire blowouts due to a now recalled part, the car was stuck in park for a week until it was finally fixed, the alarm tends to short out, I have had TWO electrical FIRES from "closing the door too many times" and have had other parts of my car fall apart from the day the warranty ended. Yes Jettas drive great and have lots of great features, but you will pay in the end for the lack of reliablity.

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  Dont get one - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By RollTide - March 24 - 2:00 am

  My VW is fun to drive howeever I am not sure I can afford to drive it... Although I did purchase an extended warranty I am out over $1000.00 in one year. Knobs fall off, lights go bad, 27 miles to the gallon, Radio Sux, Poor workmanship

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  Should have keep the BMW - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Bluemax - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems from day one. The rear hatch was ready to fall off from the factory. When the hatch was opened it buckled against the roof and bent the roof. There are noises that come from under the dash that the service people have not heard before. Now the display tells me that I have a Break Failure. Would I purchase another or another VW? NO! I have talked to 3 other owners that would love to get out of their Lease. As time goes on it only gets worse..

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  Lack of Quality - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By NA - March 10 - 12:50 pm

  I bought my 1997 Volkswagen Passat new in 1997 after having good luck with a 1989 Golf. However, the Passat has been of poor quality and I will never purchase another VW. Problems include the door handles, power windows and front end (tie rods, bearings). I get nervous when the "check engine light" is not on (faulty air pump, does not impact drving). It is a great handling car, it is roomy and I like the VR6 engine with the 5-speed manual transmission. I am at 135,000 miles and the next major repair will force me into a Honda or Toyota dealership.

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  Check Engine light was on more than off - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tracy - March 8 - 6:13 am

  Worst decision I ever made was buying this cute zippy car. I experienced all the problems others mentioned and then some. Someone wrote these are simple problems? hahaha Never, as the simple problems always cost four hundred or five hundred dollars because the mechanic would have to pull the engine out to handle those "simple problems" like replacing the thermostat. I had no choice but to get rid of it as it was costing me five to fifteen hundred dollars a month to repair whatever would cause the check engine light to go on and it came on every month! Once I paid off the car, service became more expensive than the car payments. I will never never give the German auto industry another dime.

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  Dont buy a car because of its color - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Araxie - March 7 - 9:50 pm

  I saw the VW New Beetle one day in the the Harvest Moon Beige color and thought it was so cute that I had to get one. The car was purchased in early Sept., when the temperatures dropped below 34 degrees, it wouldnt start and would go in auto theft mode. The first of three months of ownership were a nightmare. The instrument cluster was replaced after the service dept. believed my story about the temp drop being the factor (after being towed there 3 times). A tail light burned out within four months of ownership. The dash board squeaks, moans and groans like it is going to fall off. There is a horrible blind spot when trying to merge into traffic with the top up. I wouldnt recommend this car.

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  My Last vw - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By murfsurf - March 7 - 2:43 pm

  Far too many trips to the shop -- always something! Bought it because of a really good deal, I thought. Thought it would be economic to drive in town. Big mistake. Plus I get better mileage on the road in my Sedan Deville

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  If only it would work reliably ... - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By pparis - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I was drawn to the TDI by its sleek design, great handling, and its incredible fuel efficiency (50 miles a gallon means that I go to a gas station a little more than once a month). What I did not expect, after I had owned several Golfs prior to this one, were the major problems with reliability. Nearly from day one, things started to break: sunroof, door locks, glow plugs, electronic command module, my ignition key was not recognized and the car disabled itself. Now, the turn-lights arent working and the "check-engine" light is on again. I should have been more suspicious of the 2-yr warranty. All that in 2.5 years plus really lousy service is more than I can handle.

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  Pinto wanna-be - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DML817 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  The only thing worse than the reliability of my car has been the attitude and response from the dealers in my area. I have been to 4. The car "consumes" oil...thats that they tell you. Cars dont consume oil, its either burned or leaked. My dashboard has gone dark, which is OK because the speedometer stopped working. The CHECK ENGINE light has gone out for good (on and off for 2 years). Starter went before 2 years but AFTER 24,000 miles (too bad for me). The glove box has broken off the hinges. I am trading it in tomorrow (Honda)!

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  Never Again - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Erica Bardan - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Glad to see Im not the only one with oil consumption problems! I too was told its normal for the car to use a quart of oil per 1,000 miles. How can that be? My dipstick is dry before each oil change-and I go every 3-4,000 miles. Ive been told by the dealer + corporate that they wont do anything about it-its not using enough oil to be a problem. This has been happening since my first oil change 10 months ago. Also,its essentially a 2 seater since the back seat is so uncomfortable, theres rattling in the doors-I have to open all windows to avoid hearing, + the fact that my best lint brush cant get a hair off fabric..will never buy a VW again!