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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  This bug is a lemon in disguise - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By fitz5678 - January 1 - 7:43 am

  Just 19 months old, in the shop 5 times, each time 2-5 days. Recalled for top, still broken, mildew smells, radio volume too high. Mechanically sound, but asthetically bogus. Dealership still has followed through and now doesnt return calls. Arghhh

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  Buyers Beware!! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Peter - December 30 - 7:50 pm

  I bought my 2002 vw used in 2005 from a dealer with and purchased a 5 yrs/100000 miles extended warranty and it was a "certified used vehicle". At 72000 miles (2007), the engine was replaced and at 75000 miles (2007) the transmission failed becasue a bolt which hold the transmission to the engine was missing!?? Dealer said the warranty has expired on Jan.2007? Came to find out that the extended warranty that vw offered covers not 5 years from the date of the purchase, but 5 years from the model year 2002- 2007!?

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  Check engine light - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tim - December 24 - 5:10 pm

  This is a sweet car with nice get up and go. It has several nice conviniences and a lot storage. I average 25mpg with 80% driving on the highway. My only complaint is the check engine light is constantly on and VW dealers charge $100 just to look at it. This car is like a boat, its a blast to have but is very high maintenance and costs a lot to maintain. I dont like having to fill up with premium gas when filling up either.

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  Worst car ever - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By dreidjr - December 24 - 5:58 am

  I purchased this car used in march of 08 with 70k on it, within the first month my car was back at the VW dealer water magically found its way into the cabin destroying the CCM $1200 fix. Two months later ignition coils go bad causing car to have a misfire... $350 fix. 4 months later i pull off from the stop light i smell coolant and see smoke coming from engine compartment.. pop the hood theres coolant squirting everywhere.. towed to vw dealer 1300 for a clamp.. really vw?? a day later same thing happens again..within the 4 years ive owned this car i probably paid more in repairs than its worth DO NOT BUY this car unless you like wasting money

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  Drivers wanted?? Make a car that drives. - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By DrMos - December 22 - 10:00 am

  This car has been nothing but a nightmare, as has been dealer and VW corporate service. Ignition coils failed on 3 separate occasions because they wont fix them all at once even with the recall. Dealer wont fix for 10 days. Placing a new car seat in a family car should not wear through the fabric in months. Now a new recall to prevent a fuel line fire if you get a flat tire.

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  Glad to be rid of the Jetta - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Goodbye Jetta - December 21 - 3:26 am

  Be ready for MAAAAAANY trips to the service department if you buy the Jetta. I traded in my Acura for the Jetta in 2002 - bad choice. Heres the laundry list of problems I had: windows fell into the door, brake switch went out - meaning no brake lights for who knows how long, radio replaced x 2 (plus two other trips for repairs), check engine light x 2, heated seat short - yeah, that really burns when that happens, and new battery x 4!! (they were never able to tell me WHY the car couldnt hold a charge - I always kept the jumper cables handy). I finally sold it two weeks ago and bought a BMW - it HAS to be better than this one. Do your research BEFORE you buy (oh, and find a good mechanic).

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  VW Jetta - My first and last VW. - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Zack B. - December 13 - 10:03 am

  I purchased the vehicle certified used with 30k miles on it. The Galactic Blue Metallic finish was gorgeous. BBS wheels were hot stuff. And then I began driving the vehicle. Plenty of pep and great gas mileage. 3,000 miles later, on the highway at cruise, my clutch plate broke. Destroyed the transmission. That was just the beginning. During the 2.5 years and 50,000 miles I owned the vehicle, I went through three power window switches, two coolant temp sensors, a trunk release, a glove box door, four Mass Air Flow sensors (two directly from the dealer at $500 a piece), a front left wheel bearing, and rear brake caliper hardware. $8,000+ in parts and repairs in 2.5 years. Questions?

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  If you have a VERY big walet - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sambolton - December 11 - 2:33 am

  I got this car used last year with 90,000 miles on it. Of course it had its share of use before my ownership, but this is just stupid. The cup holders are a joke. they could barley hold a can of soda when i was merging on the highway. and the seats (not power) are very difficult to use. Engine has NO power. 0-60? yeah it could be a while. and panels falling off the outside of my door. that was horrible. Very unreliable but good in snow and if you plan on hitting any cars going about 40 mph you can plan to walk away alive. VERY sturdy front end. saved my life absolutely. Even with that said, I have put way too much money into this car, so plan on having finances ready for the unexpected!

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  A Mexican car with plastic fenders. - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By GaryinVT - December 8 - 10:00 am

  Leased my New Beetle new. Ive only had a few problems (gas gauge and oxygen sensor), but the after owning it for a while I can tell everything was built to the minimum standard. If youve ever had a Honda or Toyota you would laugh at this flimsy thing. Thankfully mine is just the 2.0 liter, as the turbos and diesels need a new clutch every 20- 30k miles.

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  Poor - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dawn Fabiano - December 8 - 10:00 am

  At 9000 miles a new transmission had to be put into the car. The service dept at the dealership has done all the maitenance on the vehicle and there is either an oil consumption problem or the service dept never checked the oil when I brought it in so 5 days later there was no oil registering in the engine. I also just received a recall in the mail about the ABS system potential to malfunction and cause a fire. For a 9 month old car this is unacceptable.