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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  238000 miles - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rose - January 26 - 5:40 am

  To all the skeptics: sit down and read this! 238,000 miles on my TDI Beetle. No major engine issues. Serviced regularly: oil change every 6k; 20k/40ks; 60ks timing belt. Tire rotation every 5-8k on the best Mich. Destinys. 3 complaints: seats are not made for comfort, whats up with the head light lenses falling out:replaced 5 times and rear seat is not for passengers with legs. Had to put her to rest this week. A ford driver with bald tires had a blow out on the mountain, swerved to miss her, slammed into guard rail. Saved a life, yet totaled my new beetle. Gonna miss her. If you have in-laws or pals that say you should sell your TDI...DONT LISTEN!..There just jealous of your mpg!

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  so so - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By golf - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a GLS a week ago. The check engine light was on 2 days later after I took it home. The dealer said it was caused by loosed fuel tank cap and fixed it. A week later, I added more gas into the tank and tighten the cap, the check engine turn on again just in 1 day. I have to take my car to see dealer for 2nd time in 9 days. I heard that VW would replace the car if the same problem appears in a year/10,000mile, I do wish this is true, but who knows?

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  Love this Pocket Rocket - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By theo - January 24 - 6:06 am

  I owned three different vehicles since my last VW which was a 2000 Jetta VR6 and Im glad to be back in a V Dub. My family (me, wife, two little girls) use this as our daily transportation and love it. This car corners and stops very well. Its acceleration is very good too. I was concerned about its fuel efficiency, but Im not anymore. My wife and I took the GTI on a trip soon after we purchased it and got 29 MPG.

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  Engine Issues - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jenny - January 23 - 7:56 am

  I bought this car because of its great looks and cheap price tag; however, all I have faced is headaches. I am currently going in for the fourth time since my purchase for engine, exhaust, and electrical problems. One of the times there had been a recall through VW, and I was never notified.

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  Above average car - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By na121w - January 22 - 2:16 am

  I have had this car for about 6 months so far having put 5000 miles on it. I saw many reviews on here that reflected the car returned an average MPG rating of over 44 mpg. My average since i have owned the car is 35mpg. While not as high as other have claimed it is still very good and higher than the 34mpg EPA estimate. Car is fun to drive for a fwd economy car. Only issue I have encountered with the car is the steering. Ever since i had the car the steering wheel needs to be turned slightly left to drive straight. The dealer said it was due to a crown in the road; however, it still requires the wheel to be turned to the left even on flat roads without crowns.

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  seats and tires - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By jimmyv123 - January 22 - 12:32 am

  The leatherette seats are comfortable however Ive noticed a seam is starting to open along the left side bolster padding of the drivers seat. Its not an aread that I sit on nor is it a stress area from getting in and out so I have no idea why it would be failing. It probably wont completly open up until after the 36,000 mile warranty expires and I dont think the dealer will repair something that hasnt happed yet. No more leatherette for me. Also, the Hankook tires are less than satisfactory. They are extremely noisy on anything but smooth-as-glass pavement and with 27,000 miles on them with rotation every oil change they are about done.

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  Wouldnt buy another VW - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MC001 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  So far (Ive had the car since Sep 99), Ive had the following go wrong: O2 Sensor out - took 2 days to replace Cupholders broke Center arm rest latch broke Drivers side window fell into door Two weeks later (after the factory recall repair was supposedly done), the right side window fell into the door Mass airflow sensor had to be replaced (this seems to be a common one) Its not that this is such a bad car. I have the VR 6, and it drives really well, has great power, and is quiet. Its just that with a VW, I expected to feel like I had a reliable car, and I dont.

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  Reliable Daily Driver - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By Northern VA Passat - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 97 Passat with 15,000 miles, it now has 34,000. I have not had one problem, other than bad factory tires. This car works perfectly, and is a good family, or commuter car. It is very bouncy however, not meant for hard cornering. It is quiet and luxury is at hand. A good buy.

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  No regrets! Great car! - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kraziman - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1998. It has always been very fun to drive. Despite its cramped rear seat, lack of good cup holders (seat adjustment levers hold sport bottles perfectly!), and its little quirks and rattles, I love this car and would do it all over again. It now has 64,000 miles on it and I would drive it cross-country. It still has awesome power with the VR6/5- speed combo. One tip, let VW install the CD changer. That was my only nightmare and it was because I took it to an after market place.

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  owned it 4 months - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By d daniels - January 16 - 1:56 pm

  Its powerful, comfortable, lots of style in interior.