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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  my car - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Titus - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had my car for a while now, and the attention to detail that VW has put into the car amazes me everyday. The features theat the car has is great, from heated seats to self adjsting mirrors, to automatic windshield wipers. THE car is perfect, the R6 engine sounds great but it does comsume a whole lot of gas. I average about 20- 25 miles a gallon.

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  A Portuguese view of VW Passat - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By helder alves - September 6 - 2:00 am

  My experience with Passat starts in 1999 with wagon 1,9L TDI with 110Hp, M 5 gear, after that i had the sedan too, with same motor. A few mounths ago, i change them for a new wagon passat 1,9L TDI but 6 M gear and 130HP and the sedan is now the Audi A4 with same motor. I like very much Passat, the price in Portugal is fair, about 35000 USD with taxes, for a confortable, reliable, economic and prestige brand car. Ive never drive an automatic passat, i supposed its not so emotional. Comparing with A4, in Portugal we pay more 5000 USD, wich i think it dont worth, despite A4 being one of the most beatifull car in the world.

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  Fuel economy - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By 4dr Hatchback - September 5 - 4:33 pm

  The sticker fuel consumption states 22 city 30 highway. My average city has not been more than 20 and highway not more than 22. I am very disappointed in the fuel consumption of this vehicle. Is there anything I can do? The dealer has no suggestions.

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  Canuck Jetta - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Junior - September 5 - 10:00 am

  No problems to date and from what I read above I should consider myself lucky. VR6 is the way to go if you can afford the extra cash for the larger engine.I find the trunk space somewhat limiting, two sets of golf clubs is about all that will fit. The radio is not great, AM reception for sports shows is extremly poor!

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  fun for awhile - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By caprice2 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car for about a year. After that, expect it to be in the shop about every 6 months to replace the shoddy power window mechanism. You should also beware of the engine light, its super sensitive. Mine has been on for about a year and the dealer cant figure out why it wont stay off. My AC is now going out and Im trading it in. Cant survive in Texas without an awesome AC. Avoid adding fancy wheels, the brake dust is terrible. The numerous blind spots in all models is really bad.

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  Fun to drive ... expensive to maintain. - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By big guy - September 4 - 8:23 pm

  I leased this Passat based on its size and safety. I love the way it drives but dont love the maintenance costs. I had to replace the stock tires at 18k mi. and replaced the front and rear brake rotors at around 21k miles. Now have 40k miles and rear rotors are warped again (I dont drive aggressively and use the car to commute 15 miles back and forth to work). Replaced 2 headlamps, 3 tail lamps, and the latch broke on glove box at 23k miles that dealer wouldnt cover under warranty. Initially loved the car but the shine is off the apple after spending more on maintenance than previous 3 cars combined.

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  Should have bought a Chevy - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VW Jetta - September 4 - 12:06 pm

  This is my 2nd attempt at owning a VW. The first one a Fox was less than stellar but I figured a lot of time had gone by so I would give VW another shot. So I traded my Honda Accord for a 08 Jetta 5 cyl. 5 spd. it is a lot more comfortable and the gas econ. is about the same. Now a almost a year into ownership and about 12k on the od. the car has developed an issue its missfired on the 3rd cyl. and ate the coil pack a week later and less than 500 miles it did it again although I wont know if its the same problem until it goes back to the shop. I will be looking into the Lemon Law soon. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR JUNK! I had similar prob. with the first one. Its too bad overall a good car.

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  I Guess I Got the Good One - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ryflo77 - September 2 - 5:50 pm

  So far, I have not had any major problems with this car unlike others that seemed to have lemons. Ive only had to replace the spark plugs (40k), water pump (60k), and timing belt (60k). However, this is standard maintenance for Volkswagen cars. The interior lighting is amazing in this car. It feels like Im flying an airplane at night! I agree that this car is not built for a tall person b/c there is little room in the back nor the front, but Im only 55", So its perfect for me. The turbo is great in this car. It never hesitates when you punch it. Guess I got the good one.

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  VW Quality Stinks - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By bcj2 - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Although the look + feel of the Touareg is great, the quality + dealer service is aweful. If youre looking for a luxury SUV and expect luxury service from a dealer DONT buy this car! VW does NOT know how to provide luxury level service and our vehicle is constantly in for service.

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  Love it! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By stephsuej - August 31 - 11:56 am

  I bought this car used with 60,000 miles on it. I fell in love with it right away! It drives wonderfully, great sound system, and the previous owners added some upgrades. Unfortunately after putting about 500 miles on it the check engine light came on and it kept popping itself out of gear. I took it to the dealer and found I needed a new transmission. They were completely helpful. They towed the car, diagnosed it, and put in a new tranny all for free. I still love this car, its fun to drive and nice to look at.