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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  The inside/outside of it all - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By carrot soup - November 23 - 10:23 pm

  Interior needs much improvement. Cant set taller cups in cup holders and cup stabilizers keep getting lost and drinks spill over. I purchased it as 3rd owner. Would love to have a diesel with convertible top but the diesel smell needs to be controlled somehow. Michelin tires look good on it. Love the shiny finish.

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  Car as hobby - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By sooththetruth - November 21 - 6:50 am

  I craved this car for months, shopped for 6 months, and found a great deal, with remaining CPO warranty. The car is a dream to drive, and the ride unimaginably good. However, you learn that this is a finicky monster to maintain properly. The tires wore quickly because the alignment went out, and there are few places that no how to align it. Without a long term warranty? A transmission is 10K, and the wrong transmission fluid was specd when new. The speaker wires break. The regulators in the doors go bad starting at 60,000 miles. This is a car for people with money to burn, and two cars to drive. Oh yeah, the build quality is the burden of ownership, maintaining the dream.

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  The Bug that just kept Going... - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By javbw - November 20 - 11:33 pm

  I have a 1999 (2/24/99) GLS bug with 200,000 miles on it, and I drive the heck out of it. I drive it fast, hard, and occaisionally offroad. (get the sport springs). Im very hard on the things I own, and the fact my Bug is still with me is a testament to its inital design and early warranty recalls (window switches and a couple sensors back around year 2) - all the "bells and whisles" worriers can forget about it for their next car - and get auto door locks and windows already! All of my issues have stemmed from things thrown at my car on the freeway (rocks, ladders, etc) and as long as you keep up with the maintaince, shocks, and a failed engine sensor every year, youre good.

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  All around great car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Greg - November 19 - 9:40 am

  Some minor interior quality things need to be improved, like the window buttons have started to loose its paint, and homelink transmitter fell off. Over all its a great car. Have not had one bit of problems with it. Doesnt have that great of pick up and go. But has a lot of modification options which Ive taken advantage of.

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  fantastic SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Mr archer - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Superb Vehicle. Great road/off road driver. Found out to after purchase that several features that are in VW brochure and on their vehicle features web site are NOT available on United States Vehicles. These unavailable features are promently described inthe handbook that comes with the SUV.

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  2002 New Beetle GLX Turbo - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Stephanie Ross - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I was interested in this car because of the retro design and the performance of the turbo engine. Its an eye-turner car; however, Ive been having continual problems with this Beetle. With less than 30K miles, I went through two transmissions, new A/C unit, and defective power windows (suddenly fell inside door and broke). Im not impressed with VW and was really disappointed with this car. Its not reliable and Im anxious to sell it before the warranty expires!

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  Love My Passat Except..... - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Carol Hoffman - November 18 - 2:16 pm

  I love my Volkswagen Passat and it has been very reliable, except for the electrical system. The heated drivers side seat back stopped working just as the warranty expired, and I have had it in the shop at least six times for "engine light" being on. They do something pricy, then it comes back on a week later, without fail. So far, Ive spent $1,000 and the light is back on.

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  So-So Van - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Russ - November 16 - 7:00 pm

  Love the ride. The shifting from first gear is awkward at best. In town gas mileage weak. 2nd row seats are locked in place which limits leg room. Also miss the stow-n-go of my GC. Ceiling is low, I tend to bump my head getting over the cup of the seats. Have had several problems from brakes to sliding doors. So far not impressed with maintenance at the dealership. They seem to be disorganized and compartmentalized. VW needs to rethink their plans for this vehicle. Either get in without Chrysler, or get out.

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  Love this car! - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By kalba - November 15 - 9:53 pm

  I bought this car a year ago with 100,000 miles on it expecting that with mileage like that, it may need some maintenance and repairs. I have driven it about 17000 miles and all I have had to do is change the oil and give her a tune up. It really hasnt given me any major trouble and it is so much fun to drive. My advice would be to shop carefully and find one that appears to have been well taken care of. I looked at at least 10 of these before I chose this one. It seems to be one of those cars that young drivers beat the heck out of and cant or dont take care of them properly so there are a lot of used/abused cabbies out there. But when you find a good one, grab it. You wont regret it

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  Weird car - 2014 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By katherine3333 - November 15 - 3:42 am

  This car is the "compromise" for those who want decent gas milage and a wagon without breaking the bank. Be prepared to be uncomfortable in the small, hard seats as get your 40 MPG. And it is LOUD, a noise that music can not drown out. Oh well...gotta give to get.