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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  Best Beetle ever made...Got me back into VW! - 2014 Volkswagen Beetle
  By Sean - October 15 - 1:30 pm

  VW should advertise this car. It is so much fun to drive. Gets better gas mileage than advertised. Faster than 2014 GTI. Great handling. Powerful Turbo Motor. Looks like old bugs again...Only.... the new one has a great heater......AND it Is really safe. My R-line beats up on classic muscle cars. I love my R-Line and plan to keep it forever! Test drive one. The R-Line Beetle sells itself. With new Civic having engine troubles this year 2016...Time to look at a Beetle? Because of my R-Line I am building a 1965 VW Beetle. Got me back into VWs as a hobby! Again; I love my VW Beetle R-Line Coupe. It honors the old Beetle and has the tech to make it relevant now! UPDATE: 3 years owning this car now, and I love it even more! BEST BEETLE EVER MADE. Test drive one and you will understand. Even the 1.8T is quick compared to other cars in the range. My sister and parents now own modern Beetles and a New Beetle convertible. Unitronic and APR for this car! Stage 1 will blow your mind. Peace, Love, and VW! (#1 Automaker in the world at time of this update. 2-10-2017)

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  Cute, Charming, and Economical - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Megan - October 15 - 3:00 am

  My 2002 VW TDI bug has been wonderful since the day I bought it. I have only had one minor problem with a valve in the engine. My car is fun to drive and very reliable. Not only are TDI bugs cute, but they also have great gas mileage. I have done a few modifications to my car, such as chipping the engine, which definitely increased the power. I recommend this car to anyone looking for something eye catching, easy to drive, and economical. This is truly a great car.

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  Maintenance expensive, had some trouble - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By HighMileage - October 15 - 1:06 am

  I put over 230000 km in 4 years on my Jetta. It did stay remarkably tight. Parts I had to replace include 5 wheel bearings, a dozen headlight bulbs, a new turbo for $2400., a fuel pump for $550., a turbo hose, various front end parts, e-brake cables etc. The fuel mileage is good and you think you are getting ahead but you pay it all back for the $100 oil changes and $300 every 32000km for fuel filters. My other complaint is the electrical systems, had intermittent trouble with headlights and my door lock system. For a while there I thought I owned HERBIE. Lastly, everybody loves the heated seats because a TDI takes 30 minutes of driving to actually heat up. HELLO TOYOTA HERE I COME.

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  Love/Hate for me too - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By first and last - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Love to drive it, hate to fix it. Had it for 2 years, been to the dealer 10+ times. All four windows have broken at least once (pass. rear broken 3 times), doors and windows freeze in a mild winter, vinyl on all four door panels melted off, rear cup holder broke (even though nobody uses it), both back brakes completely replaced, recalled twice. The best part: the extended warrenty I bought at the dealer in Canada cannot be redeemed at the dealer I go to in the U.S.!! Whats up with that? Definitely my first and last VW.

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  Poor Quality - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By ihategti - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Windows fall into the door every alternate week. Excessive body roll, this car is NOT fun to drive.

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  Golf TDI - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By john carroll - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Finding fuel can be a hassle if you do not live or travel on a highway. Gas mileage has been about 33 miles to the gallon. I was hoping for somewhat better. Stated is 34 - 45. The design is almost perfect in relation to form and function.

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  Love my Eurovan - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By rfarnum - October 14 - 10:00 am

  We have owned our EurovanMV for one year. It is an exceptional van in many ways, and a horrible van in others. The best feature of ALL is the fact that you arent driving the same old soccer van that everybody else is driving. The worst feature? Really awful AC/Heat "Climatronic" that needs to be overriden all the time.

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  The New Beetle is Falling Apart - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Mike Cleary - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I am in my late 40s, the "Only" driver. Hood latch broke. Dealer said - "Never saw that before." Hmmmm Cable to shifter broke. Dealer said - "Never saw that before." Hmmmm # 2 Window switches - will be replacing again. Just a plain Hmmm from dealer. Interrior is comming unglued; hand brake button gone. Very disappointed with the quality of interrior. Replacing front headlight bulbs requires the dexterity of a surgeon. Now have a serious rattle coming from underneath when it is started.

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  service sucks!!!! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By uggghhhhh!!!!!!! - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Dont buy this car unless you already have a good mechanic. vw dealership service sucks. Car has some flimsy features that malfunctioned less than a year of ownership. the other reviews were probably written by vw salesmen. the car is okay but there is no support from vw or dealerships after ownership...service really, really sucks!!

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  Beautiful, but electronic nightmare - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By nolte14 - October 14 - 10:00 am

  As a longtime Honda and Nissan owner, Im accustomed to hassle-free operation. Despite its good looks and fun to drive personality, my Passat has had the malfunction indicator lamp illuminate five times in two months and the Monsoon stereo stopped working! A review of VW forums shows Im not alone.