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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  Never Again - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By vw99 - March 9 - 11:16 pm

  Bought the car used from a VW dealership, said it had been checked out and was in great condition. 6 months later came in for extensive engine repairs, have been back to the service department at least 4 times a year since then for random electrical failures. Check engine light is on at least once a month for no reason, I go in and pay $90 for them to turn it off. Have spent over half of what I paid for the car in repairs and that is with taking it to cheaper garages instead of paying the ridiculous prices at the dealership. It is very cute and fun to drive but extremely poor quality and the most unreliable car Ive ever driven. Do not make the same mistake!

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  Regret !!!!! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By kang@malaysia - March 9 - 10:00 am

  The car give more problems than pleasure. After 1st service,1st problem the engine suddenly turn off when at the junction. Made me heart attack! It happen 4 times, the mechanic cant fix d problem. 2nd problem the transmission, when slow down the gear go descending from 4th gear to 3rd gear.Changing gear,a rough sound come out, I send it back to VW service center 4 check, the mechanic cant find any problem.Until now still waiting 4 the outcome. 3rd problem the dashboard and door rubber also give squeak. This would be my last vw i ever have. And the mechanics not proper trained, not even take care of my car, break d plastic engine cover, dashboard joint until now still waiting 4 d parts.

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  I Miss the Good Ol Days - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ally - March 5 - 10:56 am

  Alright 2004 Jetta drivers... I see quite a bit of discrepancies in the reviews of this vehicle (or junker, lemon, superb car). Hmmm. Perhaps those of us who (ahem) drive the 2004 V-Dead/V-Dud received a similar factory model. Those rated this Jetta at 9 or 10; consider yourselves "the lucky ones." I owned a 1998 VW Wolfsburg Jetta prior to this 2004 lemon. I loved that 1998 with my heart and soul. Unfortunately I was rear ended and the car deemed "totaled." Now I am stuck with this. Wrought with problems between breaks, stalling, adjusters, recalls; heck I am getting a migraine thinking about it.

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  Unreliable Lemon! VW wont replace! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Alisha - March 5 - 6:50 am

  For some buying a VW is great but it has been the worst experience ever for me. This is my first new car and it has broken down four times in six months. The worst part is that VW doesnt know what is wrong. The last time it was in, they just kept replacing things until the code went away. The problem is that the car will work fine, then when you stop and try to go, it wont go anywhere. You give it gas but it acts like it is in neutral. This has happened in the middle of intersections almost causing us to wreck. I told VW and the dealer this, they said they wont replace my car. The VW Customer Care line lacks care and contradicts itself. VW doesnt know how to repair their cars. Note to consumers, read the lemon law carefully!

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  never again!!!!!! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By poncho - March 5 - 2:00 am

  never drain the transmission fluid it takes a special machine to put in back in and $400.00 later! cup holder oh those things that are in my way of the thermostat! the green ooze comingout of doors. by the way did i mention dont do anything to your engine due to vws great building of this fine car they designed it to where it only takes there fluid trans fluid $38.00 a quart! and 9 times out of 10 you have to have a machine of vw fix it!

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  I would never buy a vw again - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By emily - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car two years ago and have had nothing but problems. my wipers have broken twice, my driver door lock has fallen out, my battery has needed to be replaced, my instrument cluster has been replaced ($500), my emc has been replaced, my rear brake pads and rotors have been replaced.....this car has spent so much time at the garage. do not buy this car.

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  As Mr. T says "Passats are fo suckas!" - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By FornerPassatSucker - March 3 - 1:23 am

  This car was the German engineering dream I wanted. It started off great but went downhill quickly. If you own any turbo passat, search "Engine Sludge", then walk, no run away from the car. Worse yet, when I could produce the oil change receipts from the life of the car (i bought it used) they would honor their "internal warranty" to replace the engine unless I got $2500 worth of different repairs. I was strong armed by the dealer. Stay away from this car and VW in general. I just got a Merc. Milan. read its reviews and got get one. They are way, WAY better than this hunk of junk. "I pity da fool in a VW Passat."

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  Efficient, sort of zippy, lots of minor annoyances - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By Topher Eliot - March 1 - 12:41 pm

  This is one of the vehicles currently swept up in controversy because of VW cheating on emissions tests. Heaven knows how that will play out. I get 35-40mpg regularly. The car is fast, as long as you have two seconds to wait for the turbo to spool up. Plenty of power for hill climbing in the Rocky Mountains. The sunroof is a good plus, just remember to close it when rain is coming :-). Good leg room; Im 62" and dont have the drivers seat all the way back. Im surprised at the number of design misfeatures. Controls that are impossible to read, insufficient storage space for maps, slow seat adjusters, sound system controls that lock up when its interacting with my phone, heater setting isnt honored upon car startup until the knob is moved (same for sunroof), if I try to close two windows at the same time, only one closes. Radio is impossible to understand. Navigation system is poor, I dont use it. Oil for this engine is available only at VW dealers; do NOT use Mobil1. I paid $60 for just the oil and filter for one oil change. Parts are expensive. I wont dump this car, but I wouldnt buy another. Update Nov. 2016: nothing changed, these views still stand. Update Nov. 2017: turned in to VW as part of the great Diesel emissions scandal.

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  Not cost effective - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Unhappy With Passat - February 27 - 2:00 am

  The running lights have been replaced four times during the first year of ownership. Ive been told by the V.W there is nothing that I can do but continue replacing head lights. The breaks squeak since the first month of purchase. I was told by V.W due to the rotor material the vehicle makes squeaking noices when the vehicle stops.

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  Dont Buy One!! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cjksmith - February 25 - 10:00 am

  My father sold us the vehicle because we needed a reliable car and this one has had no problems. Before he sold it to us he had the 40000 mile service performed. Since then we have had the car back in the shop 3 times for over $250 each time (o-ring in air conditioning, brake light, stabilizer bearing, brake light sensor) and now the master cylinder (brakes) is out and they want over $500! They act as if its my fault and, of course, nothing is covered by warranty. I will never purchase a VW again!!!