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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  I made a big mistake. - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By alleyoop - August 28 - 12:30 am

  I paid too much for a Over Steroid GTI. Not a bad vehicle but not what I expected for the price. I only have 901 miles on it and it sits in the garage. When I do take it out I pray that someone will steal it or total it out. I cant even give away as a cheap trade in. Basically, I did not do my homework.

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  Low miles, higher maintenance - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By eckert16 - August 26 - 7:06 pm

  Drove it cross country a week after purchase. Noticed excessive wind noise from front door seals. Dealership at destination changed seals, but no improvement in wind noise reduction. Less than 10K miles, and engine rotation sensor broke, again at 13k, again at 18k. Repeated issue till 22k. AC never was NEVER cool as is should be, charged AC, still not cold. AC expansion valve went bad and replaced it at 23k. AC still not cold as it should be. 24k the main AC coolant fan had to be replaced. AC still not cold Both front shocks collapsed at 24k, and needed replacing. Alternator pulley froze up at 24.5k and needed replacing. 25.5k and the engine temperature sensor went bad. It needed replacing.

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  Great car! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By federico28 - August 26 - 4:33 pm

  bought my car in 2012 with 164k today it has 195k I went from Los Angeles to New York and came back again to L.A without any problem. When I bought the car I replaced the main things to avoid future big problems, I replaced timing belt water pump and a few other little things. After that I only replaced a few small things nothing major until today I had to replace the clutch which lasted more than I expected since I bought the car knowing that the clutch was at only 20%. For the price the year, this car was worth every penny, I use synthetic oil and this car never quit on me or let me down. I believe the key in this car if you bought it used is how the previous owner toked care of the car

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  long distance cruiser - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By john bowles - August 26 - 2:46 pm

  We bought this car after 911 primarily because we wanted to avoid airport hassles when traveling to Albuquerque and Ashland OR;ten to fourteen hour journeys by car. This car has more than filled the bill! Fast, comfortable and totally unstressed with loads of room for fishing rods, skis;you name it. At seven years it has had very few problems (CV boots, headlights) and still feels as good as the day I picked it up. Nothing in the new car market looks this good so Ill keep it till it falls apart; no sign of that yet. Only down side is fuel consumption-big torquey diesel engine would make the perfect car.

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  Great, but whats with the gas mileage? - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Funkyzeit - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Love this car. Handles well, fun to drive, easy to park (especially with rear view camera). But the fuel economy is atrocious. How can such a small car, with a 4 cyl engine only get 24 MPG highway? And want premium fuel? An Audi A8, with a 372 hp V-8 gets 27 MPG highway! In Germany the Tiguan is sold with a choice of 5 engines, of course only the least efficient engine is offered in the US. If VW put a TDI in the Tiguan, they would have the most fuel- efficient cross-over sold in the US, getting probably 40 MPG highway.

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  Second Diesel - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jeff - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I originally purchased the Golf TDI, and returned it. Brought home the TDI Jetta with the DSG. This car comes standard with incredible features. Satellite Radio, and bluetooth are excellent. The DSG shifts very fast, and sport mode makes this car really go when the turbo kicks in. The Golf TDI was a lot more fun to drive, and the sport seats were much better than the leatherette offered in the Jetta. Gas Mileage is great, but the dealer recommended that I do not fill it up with Biodiesel. I have been averaging 30 to 34 mpg in city, and managed 43 mpg on the highway. Also purchased at 0.0% financing. Great Car, but not as much fun as as the Golf.

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  Turn and never look back - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By tn_sunshyne - August 22 - 10:16 pm

  This van has been plagued by numerous problems, rotor/ brake issues (replaced 4 times on the front and 2 times on the rear), check engine light/ thermostat issues 4 times, drivers side window problems, remote start problems. Has been in dealer repair shop for more then 30 days since owning it 15 months. Poor gas mileage. Trying to enforce the Lemon Law. It may be pretty on the inside and outside, but buyer beware, once warranty goes out,its going to cost a lot to keep this vehicle on the road. This is not German Engineering at its finest. My Nissan Quest I traded for this was way better and more reliable then this van. Ive learned my lesson the hard way and an expensive one at that!

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  Pretty good car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VWJETTA - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought new in 2001. Pricey, but felt quality was worth it. Also, it looks better than so many cookie-cutter cars. So far so good mechanically. Would like more comfortable seats, better seat controls and please - whose idea was it to put the cupholder over the radio?? I would consider buying another Volkswagen, but never EVER from Patrick Motors in Auburn MA.

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  Nice Car - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tom - August 21 - 11:33 pm

  I just bought this car today and had to write in. I really love it. The interior looks and feels like an Audi. More expensive now but I think it is worth it. Will write in again after a few months have gone by tell let everyone know what I still think.

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  Atlas SEL Premium - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By BP - August 21 - 9:33 am

  Everything is great but the interior finishes look cheap. The dashboard and the seat material are not up to any luxury car standards. The 3rd Row seats have less legroom and could be an issue if used regularly. Love the drive assist technology in the car.