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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  volkswagens suck - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Phil Swafford - August 5 - 2:00 am

  this car has left me on the side of road twice in the last six months. both times the fix cost on average $1800. Highway robbery!!

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  Nice Ragtop - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kayemtee - August 4 - 10:13 am

  My wife chose this car to replace a Sebring convertible. Wanted a clutch again before we got too old. Performance is adequate at best; acceleration reminds me of my old bugs of my youth. Clutch is not as smooth as Japanese cars. Great head and leg room (Im six-two). Very quiet with top up at high speeds (much less wind noise than the Sebring). Heated seats (with five settings) are great! Gas mileage is poor (24 mpg) for a small car with a clutch with weak acceleration. Nice, solid build quality, pretty looking, but it is a chick car. Oil change is very expensive due to synthetic only and a non-standard filter. Trunk holds a lot but small opening. I like the car but glad we lease.

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  First Day of Driving - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tony Maclin - August 1 - 2:06 pm

  Just got the 2008 2.5 170 hp (up from 150) Jetta SE (mid-line) w/ tip. Charcoal with dark "leatherette" with optional sound system package. This is my second VW. I drove the 2007 2.5 manual, and this has substantially better performance. I did not drive the 2007 tip, but I think this runs as well as my old 2000 Passat V6/tip. I looked at the Mistu Lancer, Ford Fusion, and Hyundai Sonata. For my money, this is by far the better buy. The packaging has been changed up, and you get more as standard for the money compared to 2007. Definitely more than "A to B" tranportation. Very classy interior. Cant tell the gas mileage yet, but I will update as I know more.

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  VW Jetta GLS TDI sedan, diesel - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MCH Macy - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Had a few problems with the Diesel engine control system. Fixed by dealer, just out of warranty. VW would not help out on the $ 578.00 bill !!

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  Fun to drive, questionable problems - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bigd79 - July 30 - 12:00 pm

  I have had my VW for the past year and a half and too many things that shouldnt break have broken. At 23,000 mi. the steering knuckle broke and had to be replaced. At 20,000 mi. the A/C blower fan broke and had to be replaced. Both happened inside the warranty. the front window regulator just broke at 29,000 and was replaced courtesy of yours truly for $311!! I love driving the car and how it looks, but these are 60,000 mi. parts at least. They should not be breaking yet!

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  Do Not Make the Same Mistake I Did! - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By SCOTT - July 30 - 2:16 am

  I purchased my 05 Passat TDI due to an increase in my daily commute and was sold on VWs diesel reputation for reliability and economy. After several warranty items were addressed(power window switches, bulbs, door seals, ext. brightwork, antenna, MAF and turbo sensor, battery) I wasnt too confident in the car. Despite my constant engine maintenance(oil change 8000 km with correct oil)the camshaft failed at 122km.($2400 repair) At 131km the oil pump chain tensioner failed.($1200 repair) All parts replaced with VW orig parts, not upgraded or any defects corrected. VW Cda had no interest in answering my calls, letters or questions. Now my fuel economy has dropped to mid 20s for some reason.

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  Great car! - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By Tom - July 29 - 6:46 pm

  What a fun car! I was originally going to buy an Audi A3 when I came across this car with similar equipment for much less money. I got a Relfex Silver with DSG/XM Radio/18" wheels. My mileage has varied from 19-26 mpg in mixed driving. This thing is much bigger than it looks on the inside, and you can have adults sitting comfortably in the back.

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  More than the Reviews would tell you - 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Edzel Duquiatan - July 29 - 7:41 am

  I have always driven either a sedan or a hatch all my life. Except for the higher seats, it pretty much drives like a sedan. So when I really needed to buy an SUV for the longer drives and tougher terrain, I did a lot of research. Sure enough, you will get all the tech you want on all of the other brands (moon-roof, better infotainment, GPS navigation). For that, I drove the Subaru Crosstrek and even the Mazda CX5 prior to the purchase. But at the price point of the VW Tiguan, it just had the qualities I really wanted in an SUV. Stronger than the average engine, solid and premium driving performance, AWD, and being more like a compact SUV were all that made me decide. I initially had thoughts if I made the right decision because of all the bad reviews. But day after day of driving it makes me think that I made the right decision. It just grows on me everyday. In the end, it just depends on what you want in your SUV.

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  Great Car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chichitao - July 28 - 5:16 pm

  I got this car for my wife because it got such good crash test ratings and because of the airbags, gas mileage, and overall quality. We have not been disappointed. It drives great (we came from an Xterra which rides like a tin can on wheels), it has more than enough power for a little car, and it is fun to drive. That is really all you can ask. There is enough room inside for us and plenty of room for back seat passengers. The trunk room is outstanding!

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  Thank god for a warranty - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Roosy_h - July 27 - 10:10 am

  This is my wifes car so I dont drive it, so in other words its driven easy. So why did the water pump go and transmission have to be replaced under 100,000 miles, not to mention it has had window problems twice, and had its sensor replacements. These problems speak for themself, the car does not meet my expectations. One thing to say, VW honored their warranties and autmatically extended the warranties for the windows and sensors. I didnt have to pay for the replacement of these items or else I wouldve been out $7,000 just this year. It goes to you show you never and I mean never buy a car during a new model year/new generation year.