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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  2001 Volkswagon Beetle - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jen - December 6 - 11:00 pm

  Ive only been driving this vehicle for a couple of weeks. I bought it because of rising fuel costs and I thought I could save some money with this car. I cant complain about. What used to cost me $400 a month in gas is now costing me not even $200! Unfortunately what you save in gas will cost you at the mechanic. This car is EXPENSIVE to work on. As far as interior? Forget it! Chipping door handles, broken sideview mirror knob, broken, good for nothing cup holders, broken arm rest, cheap material easily stained seats, I could go on and on. In fact, just this morning, I went to start my car and the key broke off in the ignition! 2 weeks of driving this car and Im ready to sell it!

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  Ms Review - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By M - December 4 - 11:20 pm

  This car could have been great. Its engine is fantastic. However, I have had many random parts failures (catalytic converter after 50K miles, complete power steering replacement at only 70K) resulting in thousands of dollars of repair. Overall, could have been better quality for the premium price paid.

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  glad its gone - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rocco1 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because it was fun to drive and great looking. There are also lots of safety features that come standard on this vehicle. I loved it until the nightmere began. rear breaks replaced at 30K miles-no warning. 6 different problems with the engine-all once the car was out of warranty. tons of goofy electrical problems-heated seats stopped working, lights on dash burnt out. I felt like i was always taking this car to the shop and spent tons of money maintaining it. I didnt even put many miles on it. If you are thinking about buying this car, PLEASE consider the time and money you will spend to maintain it.

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  Burned by the BUG - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Booger Bug - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Presently filing a lemon law suit. The car has been to the dealer more than 18 times: multiple areas of dash, etc. peeling, electric window would not roll up, would not go into reverse, rear brakes replaced at 24,000 - dealer said this was normal. Anyone else told this tale? Popping noise in front, radio replaced, rear latch replaced, glove compartment door cracked, heated seats burn your rear on 5 setting and settings 1-4 are hardly noticeable,and the list goes on. Dealer uncooperative; service department incompetent and unfriendly. Dont get bitten by the bug...run, run away.

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  Beware! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By msmollon - December 3 - 2:00 am

  1st month top wouldnt go down took 6 weeks to repair after my wife threatened the Corp office. 8th month wouldstart two weeks to repair said they replaced the starter. one week later the same problem currently at the dealer cant wait for the same problem to arise so we can initiate the LEMON LAW!

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  If only it were reliable - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chingpoongli - November 27 - 1:55 pm

  19k miles and 21 months of ownership. So far ran into these problems ( all fixed under warranty): parking brake failure. Both rear door locks stopped working, doors would not unlock. Dealer replaced the switches. Front passenger door wouldnt lock, I was in another town on vacation and had to leave the car knowing that the front passenger door was unlocked. rear center seat belt jammed/locked. dealer replaced the whole mechanism. Fuel pump failure on 8/1/11. an expense of about $8000, dealer replaced even though they said it was not covered under warranty. fuel economy dropped to 28 recently. steering wheel loosened a bit at the center. pursuing mediation through BBB.

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  Dont Buy a VW - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By HatingVW - November 19 - 3:26 pm

  The 2000 Volkswagen Passat is not a reliable car. I have had problems with it since day one. It has been nothing but a money pit. The car essentially self distructs at 50,000 miles.

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  CC disappoints - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Mark Borst - November 9 - 8:46 pm

  Ive had my CC for 4.5 months. Its been in the shop for a month. Ive had difficulty with the transmission being grabby, lurching, inconsistent. Throttle activity has been unpredictable. I never know how the car is going to respond when I hit the gas. VW has replaced my gearbox.Now, a month later, the problem is beginning to recur. I have difficulty with visibility. The bottom of the windshield is a straight horizontal. The hood curves off into oblivion on the outside corners, so its impossible to tell how close your are to a curb or wall in front of you. The automatic up and down motion of the frameless windows as you exit and enter the car gets annoying with time.

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  Love VW but it is not Reliable - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Paul - November 5 - 1:46 pm

  This car was great until it hit 60,000 miles. The O2 sensor, vaccuum hose, turbo valve, strut mounts (poor design as they always break) all needed replacement and the check engine light is still on! We also replaced the window regulators but VW was nice enough to offer a good faith warranty. The locks dont always work on every door and the temp gauge works when it wants to. Overall this car is a headache but I love driving it when it works. The engine is awesome... too bad the quality of the car stinks and it is not reliable! I am not sure if I would buy a VW again.

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  Dont believe the VW hype - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Barrwiese - November 4 - 3:23 am

  This car is a money pit. Get ready to pay. The door handles, the mass airflow sensor (a ten year part), the catalytic converter, handle from the glove box, 3 mufflers, heated mirrors and the entire exhaust system went and had to be replaced. The windows go up and down at will, the "dealer disabled" security system locks itself at will like when I am driving, which sets off the alarm, the check engine light comes on constantly and my mechanic shudders when he seems me coming.