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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  Keep on searching - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By KariD - August 20 - 9:56 pm

  This car was a gift from my parents for graduating college. I feel really bad that I insisted on buying a VW. I wouldnt be happy until I got the darn thing, huge mistake. Ignition coils, trunk, windows, glove box, interior (poorly made), front bumper, center console, clutch, brakes, speakers, I could go on forever. It really breaks the bank, and you have to go to someone who knows VWs, and be prepared to spend some cash. I had a bonus misfortune buying this car new. the dealer was repainting the car because birds had ruined the paint, but they crashed it, and placed a refurbished sticker on it. the dealer doesnt have to report it if the repair job is under $1000. Sweet.

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  watch out - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By haasco - August 10 - 2:00 am

  car has many problems

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  My First and Last VW Product. - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By driverswanted? - August 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my familys first VW and it will be our last! VW Dealerships will promise you quality customer service and leave you hanging with VW of America. (VWOA) PLEASE READ ALL THE WARNING FROM THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS CARÂ…Â…visit all the Touareg problem web sites

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  Save yourself! - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By EPureza - August 4 - 10:00 am

  This car sucks! Definitely not worth the money youll spend. Power window regulators break regularly, all four of them for $350 a pop. Power locks and alarm will malfunction, beware possibly VW services ploy so youll dump more money into it. Why even put heated seats, it only lasted less than 3 years and cost $600 to fix. Dont be fooled by its look! Save yourself!

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  Ticking Time Bomb - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By klc - August 1 - 2:00 am

  29k mi. Have replaced the transmission, AC..twice, window clips..twice (window dropped into door), climatronic ac thermostat, CD player, radio, cup holder, center console/leather arm rest..(handle broke), battery...(they used unsealed batteries before 2002 which leak in hot weather like here in Houston), and have reprogrammed transmission points...8 times (red lines and shakes car). There is 2 second delay when shifting from R to D. The brakes wear out at 15-20k mi and have no sound indicator so that you ruin the routers w/out even knowing it. This wolf in sheepÂ’s clothing will take every dollar you have in repairs.

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  The Money Pit - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Diana - July 16 - 8:40 pm

  All my daughter wanted after she turned 16 was a VW Bug. We found one in Albuquerque, New Mexico where we are originally from and my husband drove it back to Texas. The night he arrived the clutch went out. ($2000) Repairs were delayed due to the engine hood latch broke and couldnt open it. It is now in the repair shop again with a busted oil pan which we are finding is very hard to find without the sensor hole in it. These are the major expenses that have incurred in the very short time of ownership. The little expenses are endless. I am so disappointed in VW I thought they were better car manufactures than this.

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  lemonade anyone? - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By disappointed - June 30 - 9:10 pm

  What hasnt my VW Golf spent time in the shop for...its terrible lights, the radio died three times (after waiting for for 3 months), the airbag system went...etc, etc, etc...Im going back to Honda.

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  Worst SUV ever - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Bill - June 30 - 10:56 am

  I have had nothing but problems with my Volkswagen Touareg and no support from VW customer care. They hang up the phone on people and their "policy" is you can not speak to a manager ever. The transmission went on mine at 1,900 miles! The dealers ship said VW would only allow them to clear the codes! It is not the dealers fault VW NA runs them with the warranty and will not let them fix it. I had to start a lemon law, lawsuit to get them to speak with me! They ended up settling just so I would go away. Do yourself a favor read the reviews first, or it will cost you big bucks!

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  Will never by any VW again - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By norma jean - June 28 - 3:16 pm

  Two weeks after purchasing the car air condition went out with pieces falling onto the road. After waiting 4 months, THE DAY I got the vehicle back the starter goes out. After waiting another 5 months for the air conditioning and starter to be fixed finally got to drive my new car for more than two weeks. The cup holder is broke along with glove compartment and other plastic pieces exterior and interior, also seats will stain even if you only spill water. My personal opinion, it is one huge expensive piece of broken plastic. Cheaply made, expensive parts, too much maintenance to keep on the road. But it does get the best gas mileage for any non-hybrid car.

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  Happy Since I Sold It.... - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By SFborn - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Im so delighted I dumped this car. What a loser! I spent close to $9,000 to repair some suspension problem, the engine burned a quart of oil every 750 miles and Volkswagen would do nothing about it, and yup, I too had the pealing interior problem, the engine fan seemed to run all the time and the air conditioning vents broke. Got tired of trying to figure out what would go wrong next. Bought a Mercedes - smart move. I dumped this lemon while I could still get money for it - I suggest you do the same!