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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  Great car! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Joe - November 21 - 1:03 am

  The most bang for your buck of any car on the market. I have the 2008 Wolfsburg, 2.0T and Im getting an AVERAGE of 29.5 MPG over the least 10 - 15 tanks. Ive never had one under 27 and my last tank was 31. I also think it has a perfectly tuned transmission - I never feel like I need to be in manual mode. Bottom line: great car.

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  League of its own - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dc_volks_fan - November 20 - 11:19 am

  I believe that anyone who compares the features, size, interior space and gas mileage of this car against anything in its class they must reach the same conclusion as I did - this car is a great value. I have never owned a Volkswagen and was immediately impressed by the build quality and study feel it presents while driving and yet - great handling grace when the occasion called for it. If you are considering a Civic, Accord, Camry, Fusion, Hyundai anything, please consider the Jetta TDI and judge for yourself!

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  Great and Horrible - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ChasYoshi - November 20 - 11:06 am

  I bought this car and immediately loved the way it drove and the gas mileage. After a year or so, the paint began to chip off of the hood from road debris. Then the whole paint job on the front of the car started to fade from the sun. After that, it just went downhill. I put to water pumps on it and replaced a head gasket. The drivers side window only rolls up when its wet or when I push it up as Im pushing the switch. When it rains, water leaks into the back seat and the trunk. The airbag light is on continuously. The volume control on the Monsoon radio will only turn up if you hold it a certain way. The high-beams have stopped working altogether. I just sold it today...

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  Love & Hate - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Toureg 2004 - November 20 - 10:50 am

  Weve had our V8 for about a year and have found it incredibly unreliable. We love the engine performance, ride and design. However, we hate the numerous electrical problems weve had. In the year weve had the vehicle, its been to the shop at least 5 times. This does not include the recalls! The battery would just die and the dealer service department couldnt figure out whats wrong. The range on the remote is poor. The back seat is small, the storage/trunk area is nonexistent. Anything more than groceries and you have to fold the backseats down, which is no easy feat. Again, we love the look, design and performance, but for 43K and up, its not worth the hassle.

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  VWs best one - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By leo0516 - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Best to drive, stylish, good acceleration. Somewhat excessive ABS. Pricy. But I love this car!

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  Good looks, VERY poor vehicle... - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lino - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Former G.M. engineer - I have owned Oldsmobile, Saturn, VW & BMW 325Ci. VR6 is marvelous. Fit & finish: initially appears exceptional for price range. HOWEVER, I will NEVER buy another VW. Overall reliability & long-term quality is ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS; interior parts are cheap & break FREQUENTLY. Check engine light came on at ~50,000 miles & STAYED ON until I sold it at 70,000 miles. VW could not correct problems and told me, "thats just the way these engines are". I have PERSONAL knowledge of other VWs (GLS & GLXs from 1996 THRU 2001 & 2002 VW Beetle) that have had THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. CHECK JDPowers surveys as well as NHTSA recall/TSB boards before buying ANYTHING from VW.

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  great car...horrible electric system - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By luvmybug...sometimes - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car since it came out in 1998. Overall the car is alot of fun to drive, powerful and handles great. The only problems have been electrical.The front headlights are defective and the power window regulators were disigned poorly. I would definitely buy this car again but would get manual windows and a 1999-2001 since I think they have less electrical problems.

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  Lively but an extra $5k gets a 325ci - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Swiz - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Great, sporty, practical car. I have a black/black leather 5spd and I must say it looks sharp. The woodgrain interior moldings and blue tachs make you feel your in a much more expensive auto. This car is quick but I find that the front wheel drive offers too much torque steer. There are times when I have to fight to keep the car in straight line. Ive driven it 27k in less than a year w/o a single problem. I bought this because I didnt have the money for a BMW at the time. Even thought it is a great riding car I wish I would have waited because the BMW offers so much more performance-wise over the VW.

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  Problem Child - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mike1PKT - November 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought my nightmare in 1/99 went the new jettas first came out. Ive had nothing of problems since. The car burns oil. I took a trip from Cleveland to Flordia and back. When I returned I checked my dip stick and it was bone dry. My air sensor has gone bad three times now. I cant understand why VW has such beautiful design, but the build quality is terrible. I think the quality issue is a result of the vehicle being built in Mexico. If you want a VW get the passat. ITS BUILT IN GERMANY.

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  awsome, fun, ecomonical - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Leard Huggins - November 19 - 7:30 pm

  We bought it to replace my wifes 1999 Olds Cutlass with 51,000 miles bought new from the same dealer 10 years go. We compared it to the Prius and the VW SportWagonTDI won. We just finished our 1st long trip (800 miles) in it and are totally satisfied. Keep in mind my car is a 2004 GMC Denali all wheel drive and loaded. I am 67" tall and 280 lbs the VW has plenty of room. It has as much head room as my Denali. We averaged 33.6 MPG calculated from gas tickets after driving 80-90 mph on Interstate and 4o-60 MPH on two lane roads from Savannah to Apacatchacola. It is not even broken in yet and the mpg is impressive.