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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  Gas mileage-not very good - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Sharon - March 26 - 8:43 am

  When it was time to get a new car, I was torn between 2 cars. 2008 Honda Civic and the 2008 VW Rabbit. I test drive these 2, and really liked both cars. But time to decide which to get is a pain!! Anyway, emotions got better of me, and so I picked the Rabbit. It has pickup, power and appeal. However, the gas mileage sucks. Literally. I drive on the highway at 60 mph (trying to save $$) everyday, but still get about 25-miles to the gallon. City mileage, forget it. It;s nowhere close to the sticker mileage. Its more like 9-20 mph. I am gypped and I am not enjoying this car at all. I AM DISAPPOINTED! So there, thats my honest opinion. I shouldve gotten the Civic. City mileage is 39 mph.

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  Diesel is the way to go - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By dapack - March 24 - 2:23 pm

  A sports sedan that gets on average 35 mpg, who could want more! The only negative is diesel fuel is very expensive in the winter months. Friends marvel at the room and trunk size when the car seems almost compact on the outside. Lots of features, very good value. Hopeful I will not have to visit the dealer much, VW can have reliability issues.

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  luvin it! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By lilfay - March 24 - 12:02 pm

  I received my passat by accident, but it was a miracle, when i first drove it i was shocked by the solid drive and how smooth it was, it just felt good, i am blessed to say i have had no problems thus far and i am almost on my 1st year with it, only gripe is the anti freeze leaks and must be replaced every 3weeks or so, its a 250 job i dont wana pay for so ima just keep replacing the antifreeze, but this car atleast lets you know that it is low jus like the over protective gas tank which also alerts u when u r at the 1/8 mark, over all this car has been very good 2 me, i do my scheduled maintainence and it maintains, i am lookin 4ward 2 more german cars and ill keep this til its dead :)

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  Its Great ... If Its Working - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By sherman - March 22 - 5:40 pm

  My wife and I bought our Golf GLS four-door new in 1999. It only took a couple of months before bizarre problems manifested themselves. Windows that fell into doors, mysterious rattling, seatbelts that refused to work, a radio that went on and off by itself ... plus more serious issues such as transmission problems and sudden brake failure (thats right: failure!), blown head gaskets at 30,000 miles, fluid leaks. Good luck arguing warranty issues with your VW dealer. We spent at least $1000 a year fixing the Golf every year we had it -- factor that in if you buy one. Buy a VW if youre wealthy and/or married to a decent mechanic.

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  Looks good, eats money for lunch - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Z75 - March 22 - 10:00 am

  As other reviewers have said, the Passat is a good-looking, great-feeling ride. It hasnt been very reliable, though. In the first week, it failed inspection because of a leaky brake caliper (fixed under warranty). 4 years and 56k miles later, I had to replace the water pump, fix two oil leaks, replace all four disks and pads, replace all 4 tires, and replace another brake caliper. Not to mention the fuel filler neck recall (free, but annoying). Ive spent about $4k on my car in the past 8 weeks. A lot of it is routine wear, but I wish it werent so damn expensive.

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  04 Touareg Review - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By dnr - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Dealerships not well prepared at launch with knowledge of vehicle, technical support or parts support and inventory. Vehicle is most pleasing due to interior design, exterior design, overall comfort / ride comfort and extreme capability off-road and in snow. The combination of interior & exterior design and appearance, fit and finish combined with quiet, comfortable ride together with outstanding off-road capability and very respectable street performance put it squarely in direct competetion with the much more expensive Range-Rover.

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  If you want economy, you must pay for it! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bud8138 - March 22 - 5:00 am

  We have a 2009 Jetta TDI with 115,000 miles on it. It gets great fuel economy, is fun to drive, looks good.....BUT....The regular maintenence costs will negate that great fuel economy, especially if you have the 6 speed automatic transmission, which is actually two manual transmissions in one case that is shifted hydraullicly. It requires regular maintenence every 80,000 miles tat makes one think they are buying a new tranny. Add to that a new timing belt at 90,000 miles that will run another $1200. So you see, you pay for that economy. I love the car but will not buy another. Oh yeah, a faulty fuse holder for one bank of headlights is another $520.00.

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  2 weeks and already down for repair - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By kkastner - March 22 - 3:22 am

  Love the Euro-feel of the car, hate the owner experience...only two weeks in and already proving to be what I feared it would be. Flywheel was defective and the car has 600 miles on it. Sitting outside at the dealer in the rain with the transmission out. Waiting for VW parts. Not encouraging, especially given that Ive already been down a negative road with VW/Audi in the past. If this one lemons out, it will be the 3rd out of 4 cars that VW is going to buy back. 1995 Golf (my first ever new car) - bought back by VW with engine and wheel bearing issues (1,200 miles) 2000 Audi A4 - great, never had a problem 2004 Audi Allroad - bought back by VW/Audi with electrical issues 2012 GTI - TBD

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  It has been a nightmare - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Juan R - March 21 - 10:30 pm

  I bought this brand-new-vehicle 3 months ago, and soon I noticed an unexpected oil consumption. I took it to the VW dealer (where I bought it from) and the diag.results were: * 20km-road-test ->300ML oil consumption (They said "Any oil consumption is abnormal") * Transmission problems * Gear system issue * Brakes issue I want to return the vehicle, and get my money back, but they say they will just fix it. I have not had any other choices since the law here only makes them fix the issues, and does not let clients get a vehicle replacement, nor their money back. I am still talking to VW corporate in Mexico, with no luck yet. Anyone knows where to submit a complain outside of Mexico?

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  So close, yet so far... - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By Coorzman - March 20 - 10:00 am

  This is my second VW and I had some high hopes, considering I spent $26k. At first it was incredible, but that was short lived. Now, Im going on my 3rd year of ownership and I cannot wait to get rid of it. 5 window regulators have been replaced (4 drivers side and 1 passenger side) and an airflow sensor and the car only has 40k miles. Too make creaks and rattles to mention. Now the front suspensions makes noises when I turn under breaking. After dealing with VW for the past 6 years and 2 cars, I WILL NOT be buying another VW or an Audi ever again.