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:

• 

  Great Car - Service Sucks - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By XY BOY - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. Everytime I get into it I love it more. However, I have had to take it in for service 3 times in the 2 months that I have owned it. There is a rattle in the door window that they just cant seem to fix. Thank God for the Monsoon sound system. :o) I do not like the service people and I think that their level of service leaves a lot to be desired. Fortunately, I love the car enough to make up for their shortcomings.

• 

  A Guys Beetle? - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Mtman - May 26 - 10:23 am

  I bought a new red VW Beetle Turbo S recently and am very happy with it. I previously shied away from the new Beetle due to its image as a "chick" car, and its lack of power. When I test-drove the Turbo S, however, my mind was changed. Clearly, VW is trying to appeal to the male driver and they just might succeed with this car. Its quick, agile, and holds the road well even in sharp corners. Im planning a few performance mods, but even stock this new VW is very entertaining.

• 

  Looks are deceiving... - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By JAG - May 26 - 8:43 am

  Thank goodness this particular year had a 50,000 warranty or I would have been SOL with most of these repairs. A/C work, window modules, transmission, paint chipping/rusting, coolant system keeps getting "bubbles" causing the coolant to be low when it reads as normal...those are the major things. I have a year left on the lease without the warranty and I am afraid that I will have a lot of cash going out for repairs.

• 

  Great Car! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By krazzz - May 26 - 5:40 am

  The 2000 Volkswagen Passat has been a great car. I drive about 40,000 miles a year and this car has never failed me. I think all the negative reviews are more about the places they take their cars to. These people are getting ripped off for most repairs. I have put less than $200 into repairs in the 60,000 miles since I bought it. I drive this car very hard and it has treated me well. If you take care of your car it will take care of you.

• 

  Fun to drive commuter - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Dave - May 25 - 8:33 pm

  I got out of my lease 2 years early with my Acura RSX due to technical issues with the suspension. Yes it cost me nearly $4,000 to get out of my lease but it was WELL worth getting this GTI. It is stylish in and out, comfortable and most of all FUN to drive!!! Its much faster then the RSX and the DSG transmission is silky smooth. Between the DSG tranny and the lack of turbo lag this car pulls hard until you cant go any faster without getting a ticket :)

• 

  Avoid the turbo without a thorough inspection - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By checkengine88 - May 25 - 4:51 am

  Bought it used from an as is dealer. Trunk only opened with a key and the coolant looked a little funny, but I talked him down and thought I was getting a good deal even after I had to sink some money into it. $1900 later I gave up. The car kept over heating as engine oil was getting into the coolant system. Had the engine oil cooler, water pump, belts and thermostat replaced and it overheated again. I had to call it when they said the next step was to replace the turbo and if that didnt work, the head gaskets. Oh and the electrical module under the seat was faulty causing the trunk problems. Please take it to a dealer for an inspection before you buy it used. Had it for a month

• 

  Wish I never bought this car... - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By domdpt - May 25 - 2:53 am

  I was new to VW and relatively impressed by the Jetta, although I really wanted the GLI I was not ready to pay $30,000 for a small sedan. The car was ok to start, however within 2 months all door panels were rattling, suspension squeaked, and engine became sluggish. Almost 1 year later and after a few trips to the dealer, all door panels still rattle, the engine is not responsive, and MPGs are getting worse. VW quality has slipped a lot from what i can gether, and the dealer is less than willing to help fix the problems. Unless you get a GLI, do not waste your money.

• 

  Surprising VW - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chessiesail - May 25 - 12:56 am

  After a lot of research into mid- priced cars with good fuel economy, I replaced my 3rd leased BWM (a 3, 5, and 3 coupe) with the 2010 TDI Wagon...$ for $ this is the one of the best cars that Ive owned. Very comfortable on my 4+ hr weekly commute, quiet, and very good, "German" handling. Its not a BMW, but at half the sticker price of a 335 diesel its a great car. With just over 2000 miles I averaged 50.2 mpgs on my past Mondays commute which is 90:10 hwy:city. Overall, Im averaging 46 mpg doing about 85:15, hwy:city. There is plenty of room for passengers, cargo and dog crates. This car really does everything well!

• 

  RUN AWAY!!! - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Kevin - May 24 - 10:14 pm

  Worse car ever!!! Have never had a car with so many problems. You will never finish having brake, electrical, engine, transmission problems. Even the overhead dvd players go bad.

• 

  Not So Great Car with Great Mileage!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JLB - May 24 - 9:20 pm

  I understand that VW has always been a bit "quirky" as I have owned three. This particular car has been somewhat of a nightmare. From the second day of ownership, the car was in the shop for 7 weeks because of incorrect engine assembly. After it was returned it was fine for the first 6 months. From that point on I have been through 3 sets of brakes on the back only! (The front are still at 40% and considered normal by the dealership) 2 transmissions(auto), 1 sunroof motor, 5 oxygen sensors, 1 a/c compressor, 3 sets of glowplugs(and I live in PHOENIX!), NUMEROUS window mechanisms and motors and several front door latches and alarm sensors!!! The horn has been replaced 5times (still wont work!