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 like this car - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Firefly - June 20 - 2:00 am

  When I bought this car (still under warranty), I had few problems like oxygen sensor not workng, My indicator light sensors not working and the major was catalytic convertor failure. But, volkswagen paid for the catlytic convertor cost. Apart from it, I really never had any major breakdowns. So far so good. I want to kepp it till its wheels falls off. Lets see how it goes.

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  Fun to drive but not for keep. - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By klai - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I had problems with my car a week after delivery. Here are the problems. 1) Rear hatch not closing properly. 3 visits to the shop before it was fixed. 2) Door not shutting flushed. 3) Broken power window and switch. 5) Gas flap servo broken twice. 6) Both honks broken and a dead battery. 7) Broken speedometer cable. 8) Oxygen sensor broken twice. 9) Door handle cover plastic is peeling. 10) Paint on steering spooke is peeling. I should have gotten rid of the car a long time ago. This time I will as the last repair bill was $750, not to mention the time lost and the inconvenience I had to put up with.

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  people are so cheap - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By lindsay - June 17 - 4:02 pm

  This car is great mine is at 160 k miles the inside of my buttons and locks buttons did peel and bubble but its only a 50$ fix... People complain about the up keep costing so much but ITS A VOLKSWAGEN! It is not an american car repairs cost more the engine is not regular its all new technology if you cant afford up keep you shouldnt buy a foreign car. Its like buying a name brand purse to look rich but not having any cash in it. [non-permissible content removed]

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  Luxury Ride, Econobox Mileage - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tomato Pie - June 16 - 11:00 am

  Driving 96 miles each day, I needed to replace my wonderful 1991 Acura Legend that had accumulated 215,000 miles. I wanted to retain the great comfort, safety, and performance of the Acura while improving on the 25 mpg I was getting. Research took me to the TDI Passat, and I got one of the last leftovers for 2005 (cannot get the diesel in the 2006 Passat). I have logged 5,000 miles and I am THRILLED with this car. It is powerful, comfortable, and I am averaging 43 mpg on the highway when I can keep my speed under 65.

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  repeat mechanical problems - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Erika Harrell - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle new, in a year and a half I have had to replace broken motor mounts, 2 sets of rooters, a ring in the exhaust system, brake light sensor, battery and an ignition switch.

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  The Oil Consumer - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Varina - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Burns 1 quart of oil every 3000 miles - even though the ownders manual says it can go 5000. Also, owners manual claims oil burning will go away after "short break-in" period - it does not go away ever.

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  If it werent for the engine . . . - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Eileen F - June 13 - 12:33 am

  I am so disappointed in my Jetta except for the bit of "pep" that the engine exhibits. The whole car rattles and the passenger side front window hums and coughs. The upholstery is dismal. No vacuum or lint brush known to man can keep the seats from looking other than disgusting. All of the literature (incl. the sales brochure) and websites reflected a CD player as standard with the GLS model, but in the end, it was not included. I should have just replaced the Honda Accord I had with another.

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  Software Problem for Jetta CA, MA and NY - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jetta05 - June 12 - 9:26 pm

  As all of you who own a 2004 or 2005 model year Volkswagen Jetta sold in California and other states, the car has a unique problem that causes it not to start smoothly in the morning. I found numerous complaints filed to the National Highway Transporation Safety Administration for the 2004 Jetta. The jerk start is caused the sudden engagement of transmission when the brake lamp is turned off. Until then, there is no drive power supplied to the drive shaft. Dont you feel it? Other than that this is a nice car.

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  Best Minivan for the Price - 2012 Volkswagen Routan
  By magluk - June 12 - 11:38 am

  We got the best minivan for the price. We bought ours Certified Used 2012 Routan SE with Nav and DVD with only 2.5K miles for $24K for something we plan on owning for 5-6 years only. We looked at Toyota and Honda both very nice cars, but by going with Routan we saved 13K to 16K for the same options as other competitors. This minivan is convertible, quite when driving, powerful, nice looking and just what we were looking for. The one bad thing is they won’t be building this model any more for 2013 and dealers having some brand new 2012 minivans that you can save $7-8K off the sticker price with very good options. This being our first minivan we are so far happy with it

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  An Item to consider - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tenncvol - June 11 - 9:06 am

  I like my TDI very well however potential buyers need to be aware of one drawback - availability of diesel fuel. Only about one (non-truck stop) station in five has a diesel pump, and it is often off to the side and not under a canopy so larger vehicles can access it. The fuel filler nozzle is frequently too large for the TDIs small opening (Why VW?) requiring holding the nozzle and slowly filling enough to get to a better pump. Could not recommended this car unless you are willing to endure this inconvenience