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 Buy - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Matt - December 2 - 1:56 pm

  I get my rabbit as soon as I could order one. I drive through DC traffic on a daily basis and average 25mpg w/ a 5spd. It options that would be seen on cars over 25k.

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  not worth the money - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By VW Bummer - December 2 - 1:40 pm

  We purchased this car after our first child was born. It is a heavy safe car that is fun to drive. Thats where it stops. From the start it was in the shop for trim, sensors etc.. I would have to rent a car within the dealer (usually a tiny tin can) every time I took my car for service. If I would complain at all about the frequency of these malfunctions on the car they would blow me off and tell me that I had purchased a luxury vehicle and the repairs are more extensive? ? What? Wheres my luxury service? I think VW priced themselves out of the market with this SUV. For the price you are paying you should have some service. Buy yourself a Lexus and get yourself taken care of.

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  Too many problems - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Gunnar1 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Great performance for the buck yet terrible reliability. My GTI has been in the shop more times than I can count. I have about 17,000 miles on it now and I have had the tranny replaced at 2k the rotors and pads replaced at 200 miles, the check engine light has come on three times. At about 4500 miles the passenger side window fell into the door sill. A piece of trim has come off of the roof twice. The coil-packs have been replaced recently. My brake lights stopped working 1 week ago at the same time my center console broke. My heated seats do not work from numbers 1-4 they only work on number 5. Need I say more?

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  love it - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By vw freak - December 1 - 10:00 am

  love it veary much. Fun to drive .great power and handling.Volkswagen is the best car in the world.

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  03 Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lmadden - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Jetta for one month and two days, it has been at the dealer three times for five seperate issues. If you are looking for a reliable car, do not buy a jetta, rather buy a jetta if you like the look and feel of luxury at a economic price. Mine is black with black interior, but its getting traded in this week already for a different car....I got a lemon...

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  Wonderful Car, but It was a Lemon - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By john matter - December 1 - 5:56 am

  The Phaeton has an amazing design inside and out. It is by far the nicest car I have ever owned (which includes BMW, Porsche, Mercedes). However, in slightly more than two years it was in the shop twelve times. The dealership was great, service people fantastic, but the car has just too many issues. The electronic stuff and programing just are not durable. VW hit a home run in design and struck out on reliability. This is the least reliable car I have ever owned.

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  Better than a Civic, Corolla or Elantra? - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By GPR - November 30 - 1:54 pm

  Ive owned several Hondas and Toyotas and I was in the market for a used sedan. My certified 2012 Jetta was cheaper than the Civics, Corollas, and Elantras in my area at the time. Im very happy with my purchase. The car is sporty and fun to drive with a nice sprinkling of technology and heated seats. My only complaints are that my A/C stopped blowing cold air and my trunk light didnt work. Both were fixed under warranty. It would be nicer if the arm rest between the front seats was higher and longer. I believe thats the case with newer models.

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  its a soild 8 - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By thickandwide - November 27 - 9:30 am

  Probably the best car Ive ever owned. Sites like this mostly attract negative reviews from upset consumers who dont understand how to maintain a vehicle. The Jetta has a reliable VR6 motor that is both strong and economical and came with a lot of perks for a 2000 car: CD changer, moon roof, "front trac" stability control, heated seats, Monsoon 8-speaker stero, and heated leather seats to name a few. My only complaint, as with most owners, is that this car chews up water pumps - and it has two of them (an electrical and mechanical) and yes they are expensive to repair. Also VW needs to make it easier to change the headlamps. Basic maintenance should be easier.

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  Love it! But expensive to repair - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Story man - November 24 - 5:56 pm

  This is my second Passat; bought it used in 2006. It is a joy to drive, and is one of the few 5-speed wagons available in this class. Both Passats had reliability problems (98: cam followers bad at 120k; window regulator at 60K) (03: turbo out at 70K, water leaks from roof drains). But in spite of these and many other problems, I bought a second one because it is so much fun to drive and looks great. I will put up with the costs because I love it.

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  Passat TDI - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By jh61 - November 23 - 11:02 pm

  Purchased the car about 2 months ago. Continue to enjoy this very efficient VW. With 80% highway driving, mpg is consistently in the range of 47-52mpg. Interior has loads of room.