3 Star Reviews for Volkswagen

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.30/5 Average
13,910 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 221 through 230 of 13,910.00
  • Underpowered, Unreliable and Overpriced - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
    By -

    When I purchased my GTI, I thought it was the best looking hatch inside and out! The fact that it was rated as Motor Trend Car of the Year was an added bonus. After almost a year driving the GTI, I got rid of it in a heartbeat. Ive been to the dealer three times for a failing oxygen sensor and two more times for burnt out light bulbs. To top things off, I found out that the GTI is nowhere close to being a performance car. 0- 60 in 6.8 sec COME ON! WHAT A DOG OF A CAR. The fact that it cost almost 30k is even worse. When I actually read the Motor Trend article comparing the GTI to the MS3, WRX, and Rallyart, I found out that the GTI falls behind all three cars in almost every category!

  • Mexican - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
    By -

    Before buying, please consider: Abnormal headlight failure, 3rd brakelight never worked, VW emblems fall off optional $600 wheels, rear brakes fail at 24,000 miles, each key costs $200 - about the size of an egg, plastic falls off all the time, plastic under car - $300; parking light lens $107. Cant reach filter to drain water as required; car too low to use ramps, difficult to get in reverse, has timing belt on diesel???? Buy Japanese for half cost and get 4 times the life.

  • Big disappointment - 2011 Volkswagen Golf
    By -

    This car was underwhelming. Coming from a 200 HP Saab, I did not mind the weak engine except the manual transmission would fight any attempt to downshift quickly. The heater/AC moved so little air that you were either cold/hot or had to listen to the fan drone away on high. The steering feel was nonexistent. You could not feel the front end break loose on snow. The final straw was a fuel cut off that caused it to die in traffic if short shifted. It was fun to make fun of the driver who stalled in traffic until we were hit from behind because the car would just stop without brake lights. There was no warning. You would be driving in slowing traffic and it would stop.

  • Lotsa small problems - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
    By -

    Fun car, a lot of Micky Mouse little things that fall apart; Cables, hoses, plastic bits. Everything is held together with plastic, while replacing normal wear and tear items the plastic just breaks during disassembly or reassemmbly. This car is not built to last very long. After 100k miles nothing major has needed to be done but it seems that is just around the corner. Has always burnt oil and has some hesitation while accelerating.

  • My engine Blew...VW wouldnt help! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
    By -

    I loved driving my car until one day my engine destroyed itself. The manufactureer sugests that normal oil should be fine a a turbo engine. But I PAINFULLY found out that synthetic oil is the only oil that is supposed to be used in a turbo car. The normal becomes so thick that is is as hard as tar and is causes blockages! this cause the engine to stop AFTER it has broken the pistons and destroyed the valves! I know 4 people who this has happened too!

  • Cutest piece of junk on the road! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
    By -

    This car has been in the shop 4 times for window motor replacement, countless times for various electrical and sensor problems, the convertible top motor broke,bad headlights, impossible to clean seats, etc. Ive had every problem that everyone else has had. This is the least reliable, most poorly designed car with the worst customer service Ive ever had; its also incredibly cute and very fun to drive! I would never spend another penny on a volkswagen, especially if it was my only car. We have other cars so it wasnt a problem that has been in the shop almost 20 times.

  • Car not worth poor customer service - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
    By -

    I have been disappointed with my Jetta. While the car handles well with a lot of pep, visibility from the sides & rear is extremely poor due to window heights & wide side struts. Paint quality is poor, scratching at the slightest ding & worse than any car Ive owned. The speedometer registers a higher-than-actual speed. The dealership refused to replace it under warranty when the problem was first noticed. There is now a TSB for the issue. Worst of all is the deplorable customer service. Service has to be fought for & requires multiple visits for the same problem. Service managers are rude & show no remorse for inconveniencing customers. The car is not worth the battle.

  • piece of #!*! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
    By -

    I purchased my jetta used, stupid me! First off the O2 sensor went out, then the fuel latch wont latch anymore, the cruise only works 1/3 of the time, yellow goo leaks out the bottom of the doors in summer, then finally the biggst of all problems the transmission failed at 58500 miles. BIGGEST mistake Ive ever made. Consider something else before you make the mistake I made.

  • Convertible Bug - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
    By -

    The GLS automatic tiptronic 4 cylinder convertible Bug rocks No comparison to the reg beetle, its much more of a car in the way it rides as well as being loaded with the heated seats and outdoor mirrors, air, stereo, etc. It beats the hard top. Im hoping it will last. I love the top and I wish the seats were a bit better, like real leather and with heavy rubber footing throughout instead of carpet. Other than that, its cool. No problem yet with light on dash coming on like the past Beetle I owned, hopefully never will. VW is known for engine sensor light on a lot so the mechanics tell me, and through my own experience as well. Its great in the snow!

  • Where did it go wrong?!?! - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
    By -

    The GTI is fun to drive. The handling and power are average. I recommend the 02 and up GTIs (30 more HP). All the rumors about the electric and use of cheap parts are true. The sunroof drainage tubes are cheap rubber hoses that will leak on you. The power windows will go out on you. The cheaper stock turbo hoses will leak or bust. Get use to seeing the check engine light on. stock suspension is too high and loose for the handling one might want. I recommend upgrading to the 20th/337 GTI suspension. I am on my second oil pan and second fuel pump. Get the timing belt done as soon as possible. If that goes out it takes the whole engine with it. Poor design!!

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