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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  Rattles ruin almost perfect review - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Chunk - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Turob GTI makes this car one peppy ride. Handles like a charm, I have felt nothing like it except my friends BMW M3. Plenty of head room for a tall guy like me (64").

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  Expensive parts/service - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By moshiba99 - August 21 - 10:00 am

  The car is beautiful, fun to drive, but it is so expensive for gas/service/parts for this car. I have to sell mine beacuse of it.

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  DISSAPPOINTED - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By BUNNY - August 19 - 11:20 am

  I loved this car... Now I just cant wait to give it back! Seems like the problems just get worse. Air bag light is always on ... Got tired of getting it fixed. Electric Windows seem to have a mind of their own. Then the wipers, lets just say I had to change the motor. Now I have a epc starting problems... That no one seems to be able to figure it out. After reading all these reviews has me worrying able my brake pads... I guess it will never end until I get rid of this car :(

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  "Where excitement goes to die." Really? - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By moreldav - August 17 - 1:44 pm

  My love of cars has spanned a fair number of years and over two dozen cars. This is my second VW. I traded in a 2008 BMW 535xi Sport for this car, which had replaced a beloved 2002 Audi A6 2.7T. The Passat has reminded me of the many reasons I am a fan of VW Group cars. I was concerned that the transition out of the driving experience of the BMW would be rough, but I was wrong. The Passat is comfortable, spacious, well-appointed, reasonably quick, and sneers at gas pumps (I drove from NJ to Boston and back on one tank of regular fuel). It is not going to win stoplight drag races or autocross rallies, but as a large family sedan, its really tough to beat. Glad I ignored the naysayers!

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  Mechanical Problems - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By MartinT - August 17 - 7:33 am

  In 74 K miles: Two sets of rear pads and rotors in 2 CV boots, one wheel bearing, one temp. sensor, emissions light often goes on, one radiator leak, one cam seal oil leak,three engine coolant flushes to get rid of gunk in the G12 coolant which stops up cabin heater core, cup holders break, rear view mirror is failing, door locks intermittently dont lock

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  Love the car, but not VW service - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ENC driver - August 16 - 4:33 pm

  I bought my Jetta GLS TDI new in 2001 and it now has 197,000 miles and is going strong. I commute 150 miles round trip daily, so I wanted a comfortable car with good fuel mileage - I have been well pleased. Im considering buying another one, but want to hang on to this one. My only problems have been with VW service. I used to take it to the dealer since its difficult to find a non-VW dealer mechanic, but have regretted the inconvenience and the cost. When I contacted VW last summer after a dealer in SC had my car for 3 weeks and continued to give me the run-around, VW was not helpful and borderline rude. So, Ill keep my TDI and maybe buy another one, but find an independent mechanic.

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  fahrfeknugen schleppinvagon - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By jimal - August 14 - 10:00 am

  With the rear seats facing each other and a fold up table, the kids actually interact on trips. Weve camped in it, taken Scouts on trips, and everyone seems to love the space and layout. The VR6 engine is powerful and sounds great, although it drinks Premium fuel to provide such big punch in a small displacement. It takes up less space in the garage than our last mini-van, but its larger inside. You sit tall, eye to eye with the big SUV drivers, but arent driving a gas guzzler! Doors close with the assurance of a bank vault. This van is built to last, better get one while you can!

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  Freaky - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By TheMatrix - August 14 - 10:00 am

  We were adjusting the height of the car so my grandma could get in and the darn air suspension would not work! After attempting to fix it for 15 min. or so we gave up and went inside and all of a sudden the car went down after we were inside. Talk about safety here, what if something had suddenly come under the car, like my kid. And I feel like a soccer mom driving the thing, it looks like a mini-van.

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  2010 Jetta LE - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By troverman - August 11 - 7:23 am

  Bought this car to replace my 2000 Jetta GLS. The 5-cylinder engine is very smooth and has plenty of power, especially above 3000 RPM. The 5-speed in this car is light years ahead of the 5-speed in my old Jetta, in terms of shift feel. The car, for the money, really is beautiful inside and out. Very high-quality, well designed interior, nice paint and tight panel gaps on the outside. Lots of features you wont get on any other car in this class, like auto up-down windows on every window, nice switchblade key fobs, standard heated seats. I really love this car.

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  Love my Tiguan, But... - 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By john hibbard - August 10 - 7:59 am

  Replaced water pump at 64,000 miles,$1,000. Replaced trailing arms at 60,000 mile, $1,000. Facing oil leak cost exceeding $1,000. Brakes are not worn, but feels like rotors are warped. Disappointed that I am incurring these costs at c. 60,000 miles. Still, it is a joy to drive. Considering trading it in for a low mileage 2014-2015 Tiguan. Ex-Audi A4 driver with similar disappointing history of repair costs. And yet...this is a beautiful little SUV