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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  A joy to drive, very happy - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jthreet - September 22 - 9:56 pm

  Ive had my jetta for about two years now, and Ive loved every minute of it. Only problem that ive had was the transmission had to be replaced at 16000 miles -- Ill chalk that up to a fluke, the replacement has been running perfectly ever since. Handling is great, good power, I have no complaints.

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  Shopped Around a lot to Find Value - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rebecca Ann - September 22 - 2:03 pm

  I shopped around quite a bit before deciding on a VW Passat. I compared this car to Swedens Volvo S60 and the Lincoln LS, both of which are V6 or straight 5-cylinder engines. I was sceptical about the 4-cylinder 1.8T engine in the Passat, however this German built vehicle really shines when you consider the packages and the performance. It is a solid car with great space in the backseat. The standard side curtain airbags and safety went toe toe to toe with Volvo. The S60 had a lot of play in the wheel (boat feeling) and the Lincoln didnt impress me when the dealer couldnt shut the hood when showing me the car. It makes you wonder what else in the car is not quite lined up. The Passat won.

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  Really like it - 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf
  By sweetwagon - September 17 - 6:03 pm

  I wanted to try out an EV. After over a month with the car, happy I chose this one. Best interior and looks out of all the budget EVs. So far this car is great. Ive got two kids. Its become the primary car for just going around town. Definitely a great experience with my first EV. Cant wait to see the next iteration of EVs.

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  Big Loss - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By ex-owner - September 16 - 2:13 pm

  Stay away from the 1999 Passat especially if you live In Kentucky. This car has too many problems and is more expensive to mantain than any other European car. It has lubrication problems on the engine, bearings failure, suspension failure... Nobody can service the sealed transmision and it DOES need service. If you own it, change the oil (synthetic) every 3,000 - 4,000 miles regardles of what the shop tells you. Also be careful, the new design will also have suspension problems. This car is fun to drive but a terrible investment.

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  What a blast! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Team Young - September 15 - 8:40 pm

  I was looking for a 4 door car with a manual tranny that was fun to drive, has some get-up & go and wasnt going to break the bank. I think I found the best car out there that fit those requirements. I puchased it used from a private party. He took good care of it and had all records and services and the local VW garage. It has run great! It jumps off the line and has plenty zip. Watch out or a speeding ticket will follow. I did a lot or research before I purchased this car and there was some talk about the engine problems but I think most of those are with the newer version that came out in the start of 2003. Mine has the 174 HP motor and it runs great with no problems. I love the tight cornering and the handling is awesome!

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  Has some problems, Love it anyway - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By midna139 - September 14 - 12:14 am

  Although it had some issues, like needing the ignition system replaced (Around $400 DIY), I love this car. Ive been getting good gas milage and adequate performance. Mine has just over 160,000 miles on it, though the previous owner mistreated it. If you dont want to do any DIY car repair, I would not recommend this car. Otherwise, go for it. I use mine to get to and from school every day along with the occasional road trip and have never had any reliability issues with it. If you do get one, get yourself a good service manual and a metric socket set. I have the GLX 2.8L VR6 engine with the five speed manual transmission.

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  Jetta Review - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lrhodes - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle is fun to drive and performs well. The downside is the higher dollar maintenance cost.

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  Hell Yea! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By ChicoMirico - September 13 - 2:00 am

  very sexy car...my chicas love it! but the acceleration is poor for a V8

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  Good overall , but could be better. - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Motoman69 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed this car and it has served me well. However, like any car out there, it could use some improvements. As a whole, this is a very reliable car and should be considered when one is in the market for a family car.

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  It has its quirks, but I love it! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mickeyt52 - September 12 - 3:32 pm

  My GLX seemed have led a rough life before I bought it, but fortunately, the guy religiously changed his oil. Many K-miles later, the engine is very quiet and very smooth. So, that gave me room to spend cash on all the neglected stuff...now its a sweet ride. Ive read a lot of these reviews, and one thing Ive come away with is to NOT buy one of these Jettas w/ high miles if your not somewhat mechanically inclined or dont know a really good VW mechanic. But if you dont mind tinkering now and then, these cars can be a blast to drive, and customize as well. Despite their idiosyncrasies, there is a strong network of enthusiasts, many of whom will gladly share their knowledge and experience.