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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  Get Ready to Spend More Money - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By VWFan - June 27 - 10:33 am

  I love to drive my Touareg and drive about 20,000 miles annually. I enjoy the style, handling, and overall quality of the vehicle. That said BEWARE! The brakes last only about 30,000 miles and cost about $1,600 to replace! The tires are pricey and burn out at under 40,000 miles as well. A small front rattle is common, but minor/easily fixed with felt. Dont get me wrong - I love the ride, but for the money I expect more in services and extras that VW just wont deliver. Check out the Audi SUVs for a better deal.

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  Good Value - 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Bill Haberlin - June 27 - 7:16 am

  I bought the Tiguan because I wanted a small SUV that could get out of its own way and have good handling. It does both of those things very well. The gas mileage has been better than advertised. I get 20 mpg around town and have got 31 mpg on the highway. The downside is I use 93 octane which VW recommends for best performance. All in all the Tiguan handles very well, and it feels like a sedan except in extreme cases of cornering or maneuvering. Cons: My 2 complaints about the Tiguan is first, the engine sounds like a diesel on acceleration. The dealership told me that it is the injectors that make the noise. The dealer let me drive another one, and it made the same engine noise. My second complaint is the automatic transmission. It shifts slow whether in sport mode or manually shifting because it isnt a dual clutch. Even with those two complaints, I am glad I bought the Tiguan because it is fun to drive, and it feels more expensive than it is. The quality of the materials and the fit and finish is flawless. The rain sensing windshield wipers and heated seats are fantastic. The lumbar support in the drivers seat makes long trips enjoyable. I would recommend it to friends.

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  Mileage & Fender Problems: READ THIS - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mike Kurry - June 27 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I love this car but have two major complaints: 1. The mileage is 14 city / 22 highway - weve spoken to Boston VW about this - they say nothing can be done. Given that VW still adverstises 19/26, we feel deceived. 2. The rear fender is terrible. It dents at the slightest contact, like cheap plastic with the paint coming off. Look at the fender of a VW on the street.

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  Get rid of this thing! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nicht Frohlich - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I actually have a 1999 Jetta GLS that I leased brand new. At first, it was a great car; fun to drive, reliable, and stylish. Now, I just want to get out of my lease as soon as possible. After a year, my drivers side window fell into the door. One month later, the passengers window fell in the door. Luckily Im dating a mechanic that could fix it for 1/2 the price of VW...they wanted over $300 each window! Then the glove compartment snapped, the parking brake knob popped off, the antenna stopped working, the O2 censor stopped working, and some other censor as well. Its aweful in the snow as well! Im very dissapointed in VW.

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  Big fun, small dollars - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By traubenberg - June 26 - 11:03 am

  I just recently purchased my 05 Passat GL and I love it. Its got big-car space with small-car moves. In the first week, I averaged almost 24 mpg - and that included quite a bit of turbo- induced fun. During a recent 50-mile morning commute, I got 27 mpg (3/4 highway, 1/4 city). Thats equivalent to the 02 Accord I had, but this car is bigger, faster and less expensive than the Honda was. Im 63" and being able to comfortably fit behind the wheel and have three full-grown adults with me is a huge bonus. My complaints are minor: hate the hubcaps, the stereo is anemic, miss my sunroof. For the money, I think this is one of the best cars out there. The fit and finish is amazing! Go VW!

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  Love/Hate my Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By nathanoh - June 26 - 2:56 am

  3 years with my baby and sometimes I love this truck, and sometimes I hate it. Drives like a monster, raw power, comfortable, luxurious, has been a savior for 3 floods. Electronics are a nightmare, been through 4 sets of tires (almost a grand each time), tons of annyoing recalls. After reading other reviews, I do think it is a dealership issue, as mine has had a loaner car for me every time, and all things fixed have stayed fixed. I have never been without transportation, even when the part I needed took a week. I recommend the Touareg if you have a solid dealership to take care of you and the car, and a nice bit of cash for the expensive maintenance and tires.

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  Volkswagen vs. Ferrari - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By WOZ - June 24 - 11:26 am

  I had a truly amazing experience with the VW Touareg. I own two Ferrari 360 Spyders and I still love my Touaregs performance and comfort. I am a huge off-roader and the Touareg handles like a soft carpet throughout the toughest of terrains (e.g. Swiss Alps Ugust 2005). However, I also love to race on tracks and I raced a Toureg against its "cousin", the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and I ended up winning topping out over 175 mph.

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  GLX Wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By nuffsaid - June 21 - 2:00 am

  We were going to purchase another Volvo wagon but liked the Passat better. Handling, turning radius, fit and finish are superior. Just hope that it is as reliable as our Volvo. So far, having some electrical gremlins but nothing major. MPG could be better, especially using premium gas. I would recommend anyone buying a car to go to FightingChance.com and use the fax attack method. I got my car for $199 over invoice and it was a breeze.

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  Be Ready to MAke Repairs - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By van w. - June 20 - 2:36 pm

  The 2006 VW Paassat costs too much to keep up. The engine-related problems thhat mine has experienced include oil pump replacement at 84,781 miles ($995.00), instrment panel warning lites, throttle body malfunction, engine coolant temp. sensor replacement, a tie rod end, dealer front end aligment ($120), and replacement of the brake hydraulic unit. All repairs were made within 40,000 miles. The emmission controls problomatic.

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  So much fun. - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By Franky - June 17 - 10:03 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive. Handles like magic, and acceleration in second gear is seriously amazing. Road noise is considerable, and the entire fuel system went at 9,200 miles (the pump and sensor had to be replaced per a TSB [technical service bulletin] so the problem is not uncommon). Other than having to deal with VW road side service just a few months into the car ownership, it has been a real joy. If you live in a northern climate, the sport tires will make your winter the worst youve ever experienced.