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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  Mexico assembly-German built any better? - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Greg - April 17 - 4:53 pm

  This Jetta Sportwagen is my first (and likely last VW). The engineering is wonderful with so many well thought out features. However, the build quality is just not acceptable. Thus far Ive experienced a couple of horribly annoying rattles, a bolt that holds the door on fell out, the drivers seat became wobbly, and the $60 cargo net accessory is now useless as the clips that hold it to the anchor points popped off. The dealer fixed one rattle (which has now returned) but clearly didnt wish to investigate the other. I actually dread calling to make a service appointment because its always a frustrating experience. Its a pity because aside from the harsh ride the car is great fun to drive.

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  Passat 3.6 Sport is the Best FWD Car on the Planet - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By tblank - April 15 - 2:13 am

  I bought a Passat 3.6 with Sport Package 1. The Recaro seats in the sport model are superior to anything I have tested or ridden in, including my dads Mercedes-Bernz S420. The leather is baseball glove quality, incredible. The 3.6L engine has great power and torque max is at 2,750 rpm (better than the Infiniti G35). This car has a solid Mercedes-like feel that is absent in the Acura TL, Toyota Camry, etc. The manufacturer incentives (for leftover 06 models) dropped the price so low that NOTHING else competes: It costs $4,000 - $5,000 less than the TL or a comparably equipped Infiniti G35 (though no interior option is actually as nice in either). The sport pkg. also has stiffer springs and shocks and sits 15mm lower, I love it. The steering feel is light but accurate, but I would prefer more effort.

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  Spewing thick blast exhaust smoke - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By PR - April 14 - 8:26 pm

  Started before warranty but thought it was typical of diesels. Past warranty real problem of excessive smoke while accelerating and what felt like clutch slipping so that the car would almost not move, very dangerous when departing from stopped position & left turning. Nobody knows anything but it will be thousands to TRY & fix. Very disappointed.

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  Good Ride. Interior Quality is So So - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By emc2 - April 14 - 4:00 pm

  Ive enjoyed my Touareg for 2.5 years. So far it will give you a good ride, it has a good engine with German performance. I like the modern design which remains good looking today compared to other SUVs that I see on the street. Cons: some small details like the A/C buttons and mirror controller have worn off. Yet, they were replaced at no cost. The gas consumption is huge. I spend around $140 per month with an annual mileage of a bit less than 10,000 miles.

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  Great car until out of warranty - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By COcarman - April 14 - 10:00 am

  This car is great and very fun to drive. I have always felt that I was driving a more expensive car on the inside and having taken this car up the mountains along the front range, it can pass with the best of them. That said, it is now out of warranty and very stupid and expensive things are breaking such as the front spoiler ($150), passenger side mirror housing ($250), Glove box door($130)etc...you get the idea. Overall, I would recommend this car to anyone looking for an entry level German sedan that doesnt want to break the bank. With the new 4 year, 50k mile warranty, you probably wont have the problems I have had.

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  Same Problems as Everyone Else!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By adam12 - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the 2nd new Golf/Jetta I have owned. The 1st was a 99 1/2 GTI. It got bought back under the Texas Lemon Law. Forward to early 2001 and our new 2001 Jetta 1.8T. Six months in guess what happens...yep window fails. So in 3 model years VW failed to fix a known problem..that is great customer service! On to the rest of the list: 2 pre-cat O2 sensors, 2 post cat O2 sensors, Mass Air Flow sensor, Center arm rest, Center arm rest latch, Ignition Coils, Throttle Body harness, Throttle Body, 2 window regulators, rear brakes worn at 22K miles (fronts are still good at 50K miles).

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  Second Passat Not Bad - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Doug - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Had an 02 GLX 4Mo wagon, traded on this 07. This car is completely competent if not outstanding. The 02 was vault-like and had nary a noise body-wise when I traded it. This one is more jarring over bumps, something I attribute to the 17" wheels vs the 16" on the 02. Not nearly as solid vs the 02, though. I, like some others here, use synthetic oil every 4500- 5500 miles and have not had a problem in 15 months and 23k miles (68k total on the car bought used). Ergonomically it is bigger and has a better driving position. Overall satisfied. DONT bother with the Nav system-replacement DVDs are $99/yr for updates. Got a Garmin and pd. $129 for lifetime updates.

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  Great engine, great mileage... - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rickallen - April 5 - 2:50 am

  I traded in a hybrid for the increased power and nominal trade-off in mileage. I love the amount of power in the diesel engine while still getting great gas mileage. Passing, accelerating, cruising, are all easy and confident maneuvers that were frenetic in the hybrid. Im completely hooked on torque with so much available at a low rpm. Im hoping that more companies come out with diesels to provide some good competition to this one.

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  Loved it - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kristikrum - April 4 - 7:49 pm

  Sad to say I totalled my wagon last week. This was a very functional and reliable car for me. I haul lots of stuff to work every day, so it was great for the space factor although removing head rests to lay seats flat was a bit cumbersome. I received the car at 70,000 from and rode it to like 117 in 2.5 years. In that time I changed the impeller (seems common) on the coolant system and the front bumper shield thing rides a bit low to the ground so it was dragging and held up by duct tape in its last few months. The brakes were great, and I didnt mind the cup holders either way. This car saved my life in my accident where I hit the cement wall on the freeway, so Im 4eva grateful.

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  Excellent car for the money - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jetta Driver - April 4 - 5:06 pm

  This is the first Volkswagen that Ive ever owned. I looked at others in its class and the features that are standard on the Jetta are better then the other vehicles out there. The Jetta has been a fun car to drive and almost makes me feel young again. I am disappointed with the A.C.. It does not produce alot of cold air.