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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  Window Issues! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SLC - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I loved my Jetta but cant wait to get rid of it now! I enjoyed almost three good years of driving before the first automatic (front, drivers side) window went out. It was not under warranty and cost $370 to replace. In the last six months, both rear passenger windows have also slipped off track and require new kits. I can handle one window, but three out of four is a serious problem! Buyer beware!

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  Great car... But BEWARE!!!! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Luftlinea - February 28 - 9:00 pm

  Bought this certified pre-owned car with 25,000 miles. Although it was 3 yrs old... It seemed new. Friends and family love this little car. I have gotten many compliments at stop lights. Here are a few problems I have experienced. Some rattling sounds. Have taken it to dealer twice to fix, but panels keep coming loose. Cold start is very load and diesel like... They say its normal. Wiper come on for no reason. There was one occasion where trunk release did not work. Had to replace the gas tank release mechn. Word of advise... I have extended warranty until 74,000 mi. Do not be afraid to take it back to get fixed. Every is great at the dealership. They know me by name.

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  2011 Jetta TDI - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By alco_pa - February 26 - 12:32 am

  Before you buy one better check the paint, mine has milky spots under the clear coat. I did not notice until I washed and waxed it. Look it over carefully... Too bad, I really was looking forward to a great car.

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  Satisfied Owner - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By bremen - February 24 - 2:00 am

  After some initial problems, taken care of under warranty, my Passat now shows a proud 86,000 miles. It is a great performance car and I have not regretted the purchase of this car.

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  fun to drive, "Monday car" - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sofia P - February 23 - 5:40 pm

  I drive 30,000+ miles a year. My new Passat is a repacement from VW for my last years model that was a lemon. My first Passat had engine problenms, molding problems, you name it and it had a problem. It had spent 79 days in the shop during the first year that I had it. VW was great and they gave me a new one. My new Passat drives great and is comfortable. In three months, and 11,000 miles it has only been in the shop for ten days, not including maintance. Next time I will not purchase a VW.

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  Got most things right - but one big annoyances! - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By knickle - February 22 - 7:46 am

  Initially I really loved my purchase. I like the simple layout and nice styling over some competitors. The only real complaint I have is the DSG lag - which is a noticable lag from a stop [think turbo lag but more annoying] but as it impacts every day driving I think it would make me not buy this model again. I recommend 1.8L Turbo 4cl as its not DGS. Gets great mileage and all the other benefits I like about this car but does not have a DSG transmission. If you want V6 I would have to recommend the Accord over the Passat based solely on the DSG lag. Could be me being too critical though - I do suggest you test drive a passat.

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  Love - Hate Relationship - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By casper42 - February 22 - 5:56 am

  This is my very first love-hate relationship and its with my TDI Golf. VW clearly has design problems. The most dangerous issue is the engine can occasionally lose all power under hard acceleration for 3-5 seconds followed by engine roaring to life with a cloud of white smoke out the tailpipe. VW can not diagnose or replicate complaint, but NHTSA has many complaints of this for the 2009-2010 diesel. The seat fabric is inferior and frays, the clutch on the 6 speed manual is very easy to stall with long clutch travel but very short engagement. I also suspect inferior glass in windshield, as today I have a total of two rock chips and one huge crack...1st crack in 32 years of driving!

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  I really thought this car was the one - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By RHauck - February 20 - 11:10 am

  I read many reviews on this car before buying. Heres what I didnt know. CHEAP, cheap interior. Cloth seats really show dirt. Interior peeling. Power windows fixed 3 times. AXEL broke at 4 years 54K miles. Plastic parts break for no reason. One Check Engine problem to be fixed at 4 years. VW Wheel logo dealys FELL Off. Looks rediculous but to replace is $80 each! No decent cup holder for the driver. Console shows dirt and doesnt clean well.

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  Fun to drive - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ardis - February 19 - 11:33 pm

  The 2.0T is fun to drive but the automatic tranny is slow on take off and lacks throttle response. There are a couple of aggravating squeaks in the interior on rough roads but overall interior is very nice quality, just needs some tweaking. The tail lights are separating within the light fixture and resting on the inner part of the enclosure plastic. To fix, u must replacing the entire fixture. Lights look good but are poorly put together. AC is cold but fan is insufficient to blow/cool even the front of the car in adequate time. One final note is that the car is fun to drive and the turbo, once spun up, is very responsive. Every car has its shortcomings and vw is no exception.

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  Great daily wagon for me - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By PJ - February 19 - 11:35 am

  The car is loaded and a blast to drive.Driver airbag module was loose fit from clockspring causing constant airbag light .I fixed with dab goop .Check enging po956 code from $15 purge valve from overfilling gas .Buy yourself a U291 $10.00 scanner or get codes scaned at a parts store if it ever has any.It can reset what dealer charges over $100.00 to do . The panoroof should never be operated with sunshade closed . It will come unglued .I fixed mine for $ 250 Dealer will charge a fortune to drop headliner and replace.(unnecessary) All my problems may be related to the car was a bank repo and sat 2 years in impound .Front brakes lasted 65000 rears 40000 Just replaced origional tires at 65000.Not as good of a car as my 2004 Camry but a whole lot more fun.