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:

• 

  Nothing but Problems - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nothing but problems - May 19 - 2:53 am

  I bought this car in 2003. For the first two years, I loved it. Then, about a year ago, I started having problems. First, something started leaking. My warranty covered it. Then I broke down on a major road and had to get towed. The warranty also covered this. My car has stalled and I had to get towed (not covered), my air conditioning had to be recharged (not covered), then it had a leak (covered), my passenger side door stopped working (covered), etc. I would not recommend ever purchasing a used version of this car...it has too many problems.

• 

  Fun Car, bad electrical system - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jss714 - May 18 - 1:13 am

  I think there are a lot of pros and cons to the car, yes it is a really fun car to drive and looks very sleek and stylish. It has an excellent powertrain warranty, but I have had lots of problems with the electrical system! Which of course started to break after the meager 2-year bumper-to- bumper warranty had expired. The VWs are VERY expensive to repair.

• 

  Havent had any major issues - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ryan - May 17 - 12:33 pm

  This car has been great to me for 7 years. Its fun to drive, gets great gas mileage and I havent had any major issues. The ignition coil recall several years back was a a bit of a pain (all Jettas and Audi A4s), but they fixed it free and quick. I did have to replace hoses a couple years ago and have had my share of flat tires due to city driving and performance tires, but no real complaints.

• 

  Check Engine Light Wont Turn Off - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Katherine - May 17 - 11:13 am

  I love my Jetta but it drives me crazy that the "Check Engine" light comes on about six times each year. Also I am not keen on the recalls. It drives like a race car and this is terrific, when it is not in the shop having the check engine light checked out.

• 

  Too many problems - 2005 Volkswagen Golf
  By Karen Marie - May 17 - 6:07 am

  Bought Golf GLS M/T new Jan/2006. Had a great run for the first few years. It handles great, is a lot of fun to drive and looks good. But, once it was out of warranty, the problems started. At about 44,000 miles/7 yrs., the master cylinder (brakes) needed to be replaced, and rotors. Internal engine oil leak - new transmission needed before 50,000 miles. Hood latch broke 2x. Strange front thumping noise that cannot be diagnosed began in 9th year. Around year 6 the armrest latch broke. Around year 8 the glove compartment latch broke. And this is from a single driver - hardly ever passengers, no kids - so these things were hardly ever opened. Loved the car but would not buy again.

• 

  Few problems-overall largely pleased - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By az owner - May 15 - 5:50 am

  Bought with 88K miles--probably paid too much, but was pressed for time for a move and new job. Purchased knowing would have long daily commute & weekend travel home--excellent mileage on freeway driving, tween 46-50 mpg. In town usually around 38-40. Very keen on quick acceleration. Yes, some frustration with electrical, e.g. persistent glow plug light was annoying, but fixable at low price. Sunroof fun and climate control okay. With back seat down good storage capacity. Sound system good, but put in XM receiver and sold off original system at purchase. Very satisfied all in all-but several of the complaints here have some validity in my view.

• 

  used to love her - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Anonymous - May 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had my 99 Passat for about 2 years. She has well over 200,00 miles and i have had no engine problems. however, i have replaced the drive axle for the second time in about 4 months. Im still not positive if the first replacement was defective or if there is an unlying issue with the car. Other than that however, i have absolutly no complaints!

• 

  My baby - 2006 Volkswagen Golf
  By m33k0n - May 11 - 4:23 pm

  I bought my Golf back in September, and I was struck by an Impala within the past week..Not sure on the damage yet, but the car did good and I was safe. Golf was a quick car, but the transmission liked to "clunk" when the engine wasnt heated up to 90 for some reason. It is comfortable to sit in for long periods of time, and the seat is very adjustable (im 411" and it suits me very well!) the stereo sounds amazing compared to other cars I have drove in. (Kia Rio, Fiat 500, Ford F150). The car took to bump roads well. Handles well with sharp turns, and its great in the snow. Its also been -30 here and its still working fine.

• 

  Nothing but problems! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By boettcherca - May 9 - 2:00 am

  My car is currently 2 years old with around 40,000 miles on it. It started off great. Then after 1 month I had it in the shop because I ran out o gas when it said I still had 1/2 tank! It took over a week to fix. Then I had to take it in again 3 other times for a leaking gas tank. 2 months ater that the car started stalling out when I slowed at intersections, unable to restart. Took it in and they had it for 4 days and claimed to have fixed it. 1 week later same thing.... Long story short, the problem is stillnot resolved and not once have they given me a loner car! Do not buy this car.

• 

  MINE MINE MINE!!! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By GTI-Zak - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought mine new in 07/2001. Added the 17" rims and sport suspension - resulting in absolutely amazing handling. Only 2 warranty items - driver side window regulator (common problem) and an ignition coil blew (apparently a known issue and now replaced with a new design). The dealership replaced both window regulators with new metal ones and both ignition coils with the newly re- designed one. After 2-1/2 years the occasional odd little interior creaks are a bit annoying. Overall Im very pleased with this wicked little speed demon. The GTI is a fantastic vehicle and is highly recommended!