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 - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By never again - August 17 - 5:20 am

  I have never bought a new vehicle with so many problems. When I first got my Touareg the steering wheel shook and I needed to get an alignment. I have already gotten new brakes. The speakers have constantly been rattling. Also, the radio blew out in my car and made all of the electrical components go out. VW kept my car for 29 days claiming that the part for the radio was on back order. Finally the 17 inch Pirelli tires have blown due to a MFG defect. This is my fist and last VW. Please do not buy a Touareg!

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  just get one - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By VDubber - August 16 - 9:36 pm

  VW did well with the 20th AE GTI by raiding the Audi parts bin. It uses TT brakes, trans, and 1.8t engine. Simply the GTI that should have been produced in the first place. I dig the car tremendously, and has been every bit as entertaining as more expensive German sports cars that Ive owned. Its a somewhat simple machine designed to simply be fast. Got mine in Black Magic Pearl, murdered out completely. It scares small children. You will not be disappointed.

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  Great, but not always great - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JPRempe - August 16 - 4:10 am

  Let me start by saying this is my favorite new car yet! At the same time, its also the worst. How, you might ask? Well, its had two major mechanical failures in less than 8,500 miles. First to go at 2,100ish miles was the dual mass flywheel. They replaced it under warranty. Next to fail was the chain on the oil pump, which has never happened according to VWoA. This time they replace the entire engine, again under warranty. In short, it has great performance and economy, but I really must question the reliability, both long and short term. The service from the dealership is absolutely top notch, however. I actually feel kind of bad for them having to post this information.

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  Passat Diesel - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Peter - August 16 - 12:33 am

  I bought my 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI for the size and comfort as well as the great fuel economybut it went downhill from there. I live in an area where it can snow 5 - 10 inches deep overnight. Even with front drive, traction control, and four studded winter tires I had a hard time driving in it. The ground clearence is only 4 inches so I was pushing the deep snow instead of driving over it. The temperature went down to -25 C for over a week and I could not get the car started. When it did start, it took a long time to get warmed up. My local VW dealer said thier garage was full with these cars as people couldnt get them started. This car has left me straded numerous times. I got rid of it and bought a Subaru.

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  Nice to drive - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By yiru - August 15 - 10:00 am

  The interior and outerior of the car is perfect. Gives me a feeling of a luxery car. However, I think when it starts, the accleration is slow. It is powerful when it already at high speed, but at low speed it is even less powerful than a civic. I brought Turbo engine because I want it to run fast. But I alwasy feel powerless when begin to move.

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  Jetta - Disguised piece of junk - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jason G. - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I notice a lot of these reviews are from people who have had their Jetta for a week or so and "just love them". Wait till youve had it for a year or so. Ill start from the top.. Ive had to have my mass air flow sensor replaced, my computer reprogrammed, catalayic converter replaced, window regulator replaced, "check engine" is on 5 out of 7 days a week, windows go up and down when you just want it to go up, stereo gets "cup sweat" on it and stops working, A/C is loud and doesnt cool even the driver, and its the most un-dent resistant material ever! Thank god for the lemon law...

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  questioning my sanity - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By the me - August 12 - 10:00 am

  My first new car.I drove a 74 Beetle for 15 years and wanted another VW.I had the car 6 weeks when the on board computer went Dealer fixed for free after 2 visits. The rear breaks had to be replaced after 35,000 miles(I paid for that).There have been 3 recalls and last week the passenger window failed to go down or up .It also goes through 1/2 quart of oil a week.The dash lights for the A/C have gone out, the trunk will not open using the drivers console in the door, the drivers door will not always unlock with the key or clicker.many problems for a new car.

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  Truly Enjoy This Vehicle - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Robert - August 10 - 2:46 pm

  Have had the Volkswagen Touareg V6 for six months, and have had absolutely no problems. The vehicle is quiet, comfortable, and handsome. I do have a problem with the chimes indicating that the seat belt is not being used, or that the door is open, etc. I find it downright maddening. When I leave the car running and my wife is waiting as the passenger, she has to buckle my seatbelt to stop the chimes. VW needs to overhaul the system and cut down on the decibles.

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  To Good-looking to resist - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By torpeau - August 10 - 8:30 am

  I had a 2003 Accord that was trouble-free and was planning to keep it for several more years. Then I saw the VW CC, read the reviews and comments and bought one.

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  Fun when it runs - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By JoeMaMa - August 9 - 1:20 am

  Bought new fall 2000 first problems right away. Coil problems and only 3 months old! Multiple trips to dealer before it was fixed. Over the next 4 years only a few trips to dealer for electrical related problems. Most trips were in the $400.00 range each time. Spring of 06 500 miles from home motor burns up due to oil sludge problem. After being required to produce all receipts for oil changes VW replaces motor and turbo. Its a miracle a trip to dealer that I didnt have to pay for. Except for van rental, crying kids and hotel. All this with only 54K on odometer. 6 trips to dealer since, more electrical problems. Its fun when it runs. (zoom zoom?)