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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  Glad I Listened To My Wife... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By OregonDan - November 5 - 10:00 am

  One of few times Ill admit my wife made the right choice...the other marrying me. Weighed it against the Accord & Camry, but wife fell in love with the cars interior & exterior. I personally enjoy the option of either shifting or leaving it in automatic shifter mode (VW Triptronic thingy)... especially on Daddy & Daughter day & I have to reach back while driving. The Passat get surprisingly good mileage for how I drive, usually "above" the speed limit. No problems whatsoever with the car. Also appreciate the built-in back shading for our child and helps keep the car cooler here in Central CA. Its nice having a car you feel good about getting in to

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  Another oil-burner - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TJMan98 - November 5 - 10:00 am

  We loved our Jetta from the first day we purchased it. We couldnt believe all the features you got for the money. We got it fully loaded with heated leather seats and all. Little did we know that after not even 2 years and 35000 miles that it would start burning up to a quart of oil per 1000 miles. We did a little research only to learn that the 2.0 L engine is known for this. In fact, at 45000 miles we called the dealer for an engine service light and told them about the oil. The service person stated, "yeah, volkswagen 2.0 L engines are notorious for burning oil." She said that she had one and her husband had to check it every 1000 miles.

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  A drivers car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By physics dude - November 5 - 10:00 am

  Its a great car. Much more fun to drive than the Accord or Camry (I test drove both). The engine is more powerful than the 4-cyl in either of those cars (horsepower does not tell the whole story), and the car is more solid and has better build quality as well. I have about 10K on the car and have had no reliability problems whatsoever. Its a car you can feel good about owning- more than just trasportation, more fun to own than a Japanese car.

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  A Drivers Automobile - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jettaguy420 - November 5 - 10:00 am

  I love my Jetta. I only wish i could drive it in an area which would allow me to "open it up" more. I long for 4th gear. The 1.8T exhibits very little lag, compared to my Saab 91 900T. I like the new silver accents around the grill and along the side. It looks a bit more refined and distinct than other Jetta IVs. If you live in a snowy area, get the 15" wheels on the GLS. The sport package (17" wheels, stiffer suspension) is nice in the summer, but useless in the winter. Lots of upgrades available for tuners. Changing your oil yourself voids warranty, and is very difficult, due to a plastic protector plate. Cool Key.

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  Edmunds sucks, but this car doesnt - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pwu2005 - November 5 - 10:00 am

  Why does Edmunds suck? Because they relentlessly bash American cars on such petty issues as interior materials and fail to take into account the what you save when you buy an American car (due to incentives). I love my Jetta, but Edmunds has gone overboard with their review of it. "Each Jetta is assembled with care!" "Build quality is superb!" Give me a break. They fail to take into account this cars past reliability issues, when they rehash those issues time and time again for every American car they review. Let me just say that my Jetta is a joy to drive with the powerful and fun 1.8T, but is sometimes sluggish off the bat and has a rattly dashboard.

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  Maintenance! Total breakdown! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jimmy - November 5 - 1:01 am

  I have had many problems....como. problems with this cars, recalls and minor stupid issues that should not happen at this mileage. Something about the pic valve makes your car idle rough and you must keep replacing it. The ignition coils always go out. Also biggest issue with this car is the timing belt. And not the timing belt itself, its components. They all mess up so you must make preventive maintenance!?!? Your car can be running fine, then all of a sudden lock up your engine. This is a main problem. Sadly my friend warned me about it and then said "I told you so" to my $5000 sudden expense. [non-permissible content removed] Passat. Only few models are worth it for vw.

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  A fun little car! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By mjvoigts - November 5 - 12:53 am

  I LOVE my bug!!! I have flowers decked out all over it and it really turns heads! It is zippy and fun and the convertible top is great for Florida. I have had it in the shop for multiple repairs, but theyve all been covered under warranty. The tires get bald quick, and the battery only lasted a year, though. Warranty covered a complete re-do of the electrical system, and a new top as the back window was falling out. The interior paint is so fun, but it does chip and that looks tacky. But I do looooove my car!! Also, with the Turbo engine, the mileage kind of stinks, and it requires premium fuel...

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  Rabbit high cost maintenance - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Jeff - November 4 - 10:13 pm

  I bought this car after owning a Subaru Forester for 4 years. I decided that I no longer needed all wheel drive and wanted something a bit smaller and economical to own/drive. I take the car in for routine maintenance as required. I was a bit disappointed when at my last service of 19,400 miles I was told I needed new rear brakes. This is before fronts. VW tells me this is common to use rears that fast. Cost to replace $465 at dealer (did not have it done there, instead opted for local repair garage). If you had to do this every 19,000 miles it does not make this care economical to drive. I am told all VWs go through brakes that fast.

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  The Answer to Your Car Question - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jason - November 4 - 7:00 pm

  My Jetta TDI is the alternative to my F-150 Supercrew. It is a wonderful car. I went back and forth between another 4-cyl. Accord and the Jetta TDI. My first VW is just as intuitive, but sportier and a great driving value, compared to the wonderful Accord. I have put 10,000 miles on it in three months averaging 41 mpg for city and driving. I average 43 mpg at 75-80 mph, and 37 mpg at 85-90 mph. I get 50 mpg at 60-65 mph occasionally. Middle to high 40s mpg is very realistic. Everyone asks me what I think, I tell them, "I would have bought it a long time ago, if I would have known then what I know now." After all, I bought two of them. Package 2 w/ rear airbags, diesel automatics.

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  The Jetta Wolfsburg Rocks - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kathy O - November 4 - 1:36 pm

  I looked at a lot of cars, and decided that the Jetta Wolfsburg Edition was the one for me. It has plenty of punch, a quality interior, and all the right extras. I didnt think I could get something so solid for what I was looking to spend. I love my VW.