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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  Purchased October, 2003 - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By whatsnaname - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The refinement, styling and attention to details is what makes me appreciate this car the most. But it is also fast, very fun to drive and versatile enough to take off road or drive to the opera. On the negative: gas mileage is around 14 mpg, I wore through my OEM Continentals in less than 20K miles, and have had a couple of quirky electronic or mechanical problems that have not recurred. Once you learn the subtlties of the "convenience package" it is great to be able to customize the features and settings that are usually factory defaults on other cars.

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  Shopping - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By WForgacs - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I had been shopping for a SUV for a couple of years and narrowed my search to a Land Rover. My plan was to purchase a 2001 with low mileage. I had tested many with low mileage and was buying based on pedigree and comfort. I was intrigued with VW, it had many good reviews and one day decided to drive the SUV having minimal expectations. I was surprised at the finish, quality, performance, and overall impression of the car. The 6 had enough power for my needs and in my mind decided to confirm my impression with further research. 2 months later I purchased my car. I love the car it s awesome. I can’t say anything to anyone about the SUV that would change this opinion. It handles like my 320 BMW

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  Terrible Gas Mileage - Passat V6 GLX - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By JCrumley - January 25 - 10:36 pm

  I purchased a new 2005 Passat GLX (V6 Auto) in Sept 05. The comfort of this car is awesome. I really like the car but the gas mileage stinks! I get anywhere from 13-15 mpg in the city and 17-19 mpg on the highway. The dealership states the car is OK....all checks out OK...sure, its not them buying premium gasoline and its a far cry from the "EPA avg. of 19 and 26" which is used in their sales speech! With this gas consumption, I should have bought a Tourag...then I could not complain. Most likely I will be getting rid of the car in the near future simply because of the gas mileage.

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  Overall Good - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chefjeff - January 24 - 9:13 pm

  This is the 3rd vw Ive owned in the last 8 years, the 1.8 is very smooth and quick when matched with the 5 speed tranny. This is like all other vws in the respect that repairs are costly, my best advice is to buy a vag-com scan tool and a breakdown manual and do some of the work yourself, believe it or not a lot of the problems can be fixed quite easily and cost near nothing compared to dealership and repair shop prices. parts are cheaper when boughten online or from auto stores as well.. Ive saved thousands by doing so.

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  Completely Unreliable - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By 2002PassatOwner - January 24 - 5:00 pm

  This car looks and rides great, but it is COMPLETELY unreliable. Ive taken it to the local dealership 4 times in the past 6 months, to replace headlight bulbs and a belt, and once for a noise the car was making with the wheels - which cost over $1,500 to replace CV Axles due to "Normal wear and Tear" (which consists of 15,000 miles per year on a 2 1/2 year old car). If you drive +/- 10,000 miles per year, then by all means, buy a Passat. Anything more than that, dont bother. Youll be at the dealership more times than not. I know the service manager at my local VW dealership by name, and thats completely ridiculous.

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  Squeaks!!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By sayvwagon - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Beware that the brakes will squeak and all you will hear from VW is rinse off the brake dust, to decrease the squeak sound. Right door hand peels but VW will replace. And key will get stuck in the closed position, VW will replace. Gas mileage very poor for running around. I like the way it drives but for the price, STOP the SQUEAK.

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  Gotta have one... - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JSP - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is pure fun. I used to drive a 91 Saab, but the body style got boring on the newer model... so I defected. My friends thought I was nuts when I was considering this car, but the review once they rode in my Bug was "this is the coolest car I have ever been in." The pep of the turbo rocks and the luxury features on the GXL are a great value. I got everything I wanted for $22,600 vs. $30+ for everything else I was considering. Picture a sunny day, sunroof open, stereo cranked, leather wrapped wheel in hand, turbo kicking in on a straight-away... sounds like a beach day to me. F-U-N!

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  Love my Bug - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By be - January 23 - 5:53 pm

  I adore my bug, buuuutt, it has had a few "bugs" of its own. I have had 3 headlamps go (they are super hard & expensive to change out...even for mechanic). My window button broke with the window down of course. I took out my oil pan, which was my fault, but found out from mechanic they are "fragile" aluminum and low. Dealership service is way pricey (arent they all?) My paint is chipping on the interior door panel. It has great pep even on long uphill (not your mamas bug!...I had one of those too.) Great air and heat system..not like old Bugs!! Lots of room...you could do ballroom dancing on the dash! Great safety features, bags on front & sides too, roll bar, drop away engine.

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  Lots of Fun Including the New Technology - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RB - January 22 - 8:46 pm

  I have done my homework reviewing and testing driving sports sedans (Maxda6, Acura TSX, Pontiac G6, Volvo 40/50, Sabb 9-3) over a 3 month period before settling on the 06 Jetta. Ive traditionally bought North American GM. My GM products have done me well but they dont have the fit/finish and technology that the Jetta offers. My Jetta is loaded to the gills no other options available, 2.0T, DSG Auto, side front rear airbags, and zenon headlights. I have 2,200 km. on it so far. The car is real fun to drive, quick and responsive, no rattles and squeaks. Drives better at 160km/hr with still lots of pep to go. Overall mechanicall better then all the other cars tested, performance and technology.

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  VW Golf pros and cons - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By achh - January 22 - 8:48 am

  I purchased a used 02 golf its safe good engine fun car to drive. I would take it over anything american car. My recommendation to anyone buying vw cars get them brand new. Repairing them once your warranty is exspensive and a pain in the [violative content deleted]. Sensors constantly have to be replaced. Ill be looking to buy a new car. While I like the 2011 jetta tdi the repair cost once the warranty expires will be through the roof because its a turbo diesel engine. Im a pass on vw you get great service from the dealer and they offer loaners if available. But you should for the service cost thats charged. Enough a Enough im getting a honda. Hope this is helpful for anyone buying a vw.