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:

• 

  Beware the Turbo - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Let Down by VW - April 29 - 1:00 am

  I purchased this car off lease with only 32,000 KM on it in 2002, price was high but it had all the bells and whistles and the extremely low mileage was a bonus. In 2003 a fuel injector went and was replaced under warranty. By 2004 the back lighting for the center console were not working and by 2005 the cruise control was also shot. 2006 the inner and outer tie rods we shot and the lug bolts had seized in the hubs needing to be cut out and new hubs installed. Known design issue but not recalled. Finally in January of 2008, at 100,000KM the timing belt went and the engine seized. I got about $1000 from the wrecker who was surprised as he said most go at about 170,000KM.

• 

  Economy car with luxury maintenance cost - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Keiller - April 28 - 10:00 am

  How does $10/liter for oil sound? Thats what my dealer tried to sell it to me for. I went online and bought it for $6.40/Liter. How does $34/liter for transmission fluid sound? Thats what my dealer wants. Again, I went online and found it for half that (which is still outrageous!). I wanted fuel efficiency and thats why I bought the Jetta TDI, but its an expensive car to operate. Buy a Honda...I wish I had.

• 

  Pleased so far, but remains to be seen... - 2010 Volkswagen Touareg
  By sabotva - April 27 - 3:25 am

  Love this SUV. Purchased at 38k miles and have driven to 41k. Have NOT towed much, and that is a large part of why i purchased this car. 7700lb capacity is impressive. My list of praises is nearly endless. Im focusing on gripes to inform the consumer. Consider everything else perfect.

• 

  Investigate throughly before you buy! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rose - April 24 - 11:23 am

  I bought the car at 33,000. With 3 months left on factory warranty. The first 2 months I had the car it was in the dealership for about a month in a half still having to pay the car note. There were problems with windows not wanting to roll down, rear passenger doors wouldnt open, sunroof would open by itself. One night I literally could not close sunroof by the switch and had to manually close it. It was problem after problem. Oh, one more thing the oil light comes on for no apparent reason even after Ive had an oil change. Hopefully if you purchase a VW and you have no hassle you picked a good apple.

• 

  V6 4Motion great buy, but underpowered - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Daniel - April 23 - 6:26 pm

  Purchased the vehicle with approx 80k miles. Loaded, flagship model in the lineup, everything electric/mechanical still works fine. This car is a tank -- very heavy, very "safe" feeling. V6 feels underpowered. Shouldve bought the V8. However, 4motion has saved my life twice. No hesitance to load my family (with newborn) into car.

• 

  Turbo lag - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By Alex Povolotski - April 23 - 9:33 am

  VW Passat is a great feat of German engineering. Autobahn for all, after all :-) The exterior is to fall in love for, interior is good and minimalistic, too but the drive feel... The steering is speed sensitive and I absolutely loved it! But... The speedometer has small numbers on it that are hard to read, so its not clear from a quick glimpse on it whether youre making 60 or 70 km/h. The transmission is lovely, very responsive and seamless. You really cannot feel it but the engine is unrefined. Usually, Im a big fan of smaller engines because of their efficiency, and almost limitless possibilities for improvement. But turbo lag kills me. Not responsive at all and jolty!!!

• 

  Get one... If you can afford it! - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By Max Power - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Love to drive this car! Unforetunately, too many ticky-tack things detract from its appeal. For instance, my instrument cluster and speedo have been replaced 3 times (under warranty), and still isnt calibrated correctly. Also, Ive replaced the cruise switch, the drivers side side airbag and seat belt, the pass. side window regulator and the Fuel Pressure Regulator. The latter two came out of warranty, so I had to pony up way too much money for a 3 year old car!

• 

  A car you can live with. - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By muffinman - April 19 - 2:00 am

  It does everything a sports car should. The complete package!!! The bonus is the comfort, and storage. Although not the fastest or best handling its plenty quick and takes exit ramps at three time the recomended speed. Plus I have, rainsensing whipers,climate control, sunroof-leather seats a computer which calculates MPG, speed sensing 200 watt stereo, heated seats and a big old six cylinder with a 6 speed tranny.

• 

  TDI-best kept secret of VW! - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By HT - April 19 - 2:00 am

  No wonder the Europeans are all excited about Turbo Direct Injection (TDI)diesels. This is the only car in US w/this technology. Drove a Merc diesel in 80s-bad experience-slow, noisy. This Golf TDI is a revelation. Enough power for regular driving, even enough acceleration and handling for fun-yet gets 50 mpg and is quiet as a gasoline car. This is the anti-SUV!

• 

  Enigmatic Performance - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By germancaraholic - April 18 - 2:10 pm

  The car is a rock. Tight bodyworks. Firm but complacent chassis and suspension tuning. It wants to charge forward, not just run. It gobbles up highway asphalt effortlessly. It has made a number of trips between Chicago, IL and Greensboro, NC - it inspires confidence at any speed through any terrain including the Blue Ridge Mountains, while returning gas mileage in the 30MPG range at average speeds of 75-80MPH. Overall, a wonderful drivers experience everytime you spark the 5- cyl to life! The car seems to improve with age. Gas mileage was initially very mediocre (18-25MPG), but has improved dramatically (22-30MPG). Seats were rock hard, but are now comfortable on long trips.