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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  Did not like overall - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Daniel - February 23 - 5:13 am

  I was very dissapointed in the car, it was a demo when I bought it with less than 10,000 miles but still in perfect condition and the price was acceptable but right away it started over heating and had electronic & ignition problems, I was not getting the gas mileage I should have and it completely shut down one time and left me stranded while out of town. repairs were made but still had electronic issues to date, This was my first Volkswagen purchase and I was not impressed at all, I recently traded the car in at a loss just to get rid of this headache machine.

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  Too Many Problems!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ransomdoll - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I dont recommend anyone to buy this car.The first week I had the car, my window fell!!! Ive been back for that same problem 4 more times since. Ive also had a brake sensor malfunction, so I couldnt get my car off of park and had to get it towed to the dealership. Ive had to replace the airconditioning module and fan and now have to replace the control module for the car. The inside is also peeling, the armrest broke and the seats collect fuzz like crazy. Its not worth it!! Save yourself the trouble. A 2001 model is still rather new to be having all these freaken problems.

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  Worst Decesion Ever - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By uncc49er - February 22 - 10:00 am

  This car has turned out to be no more than a large green lemon. There is always a problem with the car. Stay away from this car. If you are thinking about buying this car, do so at your own risk... and buy the extended warranty because you WILL need it, I promise.

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  Nice Start, No Finish - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By JohnSmith - February 22 - 10:00 am

  WARNING!!! VW does not like to honor its powertrain warning and will do whatever it can to get out of it. My car has less than 75k (regular servicing), and the oil pump has failed, and the camshaft just went. Each time VW has given me hassle after hassle - not to mention the sheer fact that the engine has failed twice!

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  VW Knew about the Window problems - 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
  By bink11 - February 15 - 4:08 am

  VW knew about the window problems, because the Convertible Bug had been plagued with them the entire run of the line. I traded in my 2004 Convertible Beetle for the new one because it seemed like the only way to fix the window problem once and for all. Now, here I am day one and I dont have my new car because it is back at the Dealership being "fixed". Im lucky apparently because the Dealership I use has a great staff who really do their best to solve problems, but when the problem is the manufacturer... All I can say is avoid VWs. If anyone stops to ask me about the car, it isnt going to go well for the company.

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  Wacthy out during and after warranty - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Trey - February 8 - 1:43 am

  I have bought new cars for years. Ive never had problems like this. We own two VWs so I feel I am quite experienced to tell you not to buy one. During warranty they will fix everything no problem. Of course you have to take it in tens times. I own a 2005 Passat and a 2004 Touareg each only gets around 14000 a year in milage. Now that it is out of warranty I am shelling out money left and right. Rear window hydraulics gone at 61k miles etc. - transmission has had three repairs and has broken down again today leaving me stranded in the woods with my family while camping with a 5 yo. I will never let the reliability of a volkswagon be the determining factor of my familys safety again.

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  Attractive and Fun - but unreliable - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By NoMoreVW - February 7 - 7:43 pm

  My second Passat...Nice to look at? Yes. Fun to drive? Yes. However, its as if the car was programmed to self destruct. Have had to replace the turbo cutoff valve, A/C condenser, cam shaft (Yes, the cam shaft!), driver door handle mechanism and trunk latch...all in the last year! Things go wrong with this car that havent gone wrong with cars in 40 years.

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  Never Again - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Stiesmes - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Fun car..but never again! Rear brakes were gone at 24K miles, but somehow the front brakes were like new. Multiple electrical problems, replaced O2 sensors twice, cup holder replaced, CD player replaced twice, ignition replaced once. Every week I wonder if the car will make it to Friday. This should be called the FIAT Jetta. Im going to sell and look for a used Honda or Toyota.

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  The Real Passat - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Fishboy - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Owned 4.5 years. Drivers door hinge came unscrewed. Car leaks oil very bad. Vacuum lines on car keep breaking due to poor quality. Recall after recall after recall. Change battery and car memory dies. $90 charge from VW to reprogram. Cant even change the battery, that is sick. Emission light keeps coming on. Was only recently able to get book to repair car. Turn on flashers with headlights on burns up flasher switch. Another "common" VW problem. VW seems to arrogant to deal with. Will never own another Water cooled VW again. I have owned an aircooled VW my entire driving career (14 years) and will stick with aircooled.

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  on first name basis with service dept - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By buttrfli - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought my touareg sept 2 and since then it has been in the shop five times.three for the rear window sensor not locking properly,two for the ESP not operating properly.My touareg has spent a cumulative week and a half in the shop and i havent even had it for a month yet.i wish i had ESP because if i did i would have never bought this truck...