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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  Rabbit raises the bar - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Harley - June 23 - 4:26 pm

  For some reason (maybe reading a lot of hype) I was focused on the Mazda3. Well, forget about it! My 2007 Rabbit 2dr. is superior in EVERY way, except gas mileage. Thats fine with me. Do not buy any Mazda3 until you drive the comparable Rabbit, now made in Germany. Compared to everything else in its class, the Rabbit sets the standard, no matter what you read or hear elsewhere. It is a great car for those of us who enjoy driving.

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  not very reliable - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By cc-man - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Had to be towed to dealership after 6000miles, it wouldnt move when engine was running. Mechatronics attached to DSG transmission had malfunction and was replaced. Everything else is ok so far. The car performs very good and is fun to drive, gas mileage is good too. Wind noise is too much when speed over 60mph.

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  Good Car Poor Realiability - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dele - June 22 - 3:00 am

  I think VW ought to spend as much time on quality and reliability as they do on style! I bought the 2001 new passat, I pretty much know all the service guys in southeastern wisconsin by name by the second year, even though I do all the required service and do less that 12,000 miles a year! I have had problem from system failure to engine light on to tie rod problems in the first three years. This year alone I have spend over $2000 on the car! Even my friends 2000 Ford Taurus is more reliable! I have called VW to complain, the lady politely told me I am out of warranty and there nothing they can do! I happen to have the 24 months full service warranty they had back in 2001

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  Ultimate in practicality and fun - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rob from JAX - June 20 - 6:00 pm

  The Jetta was everything promised. With 7,000 miles on it, Ive averaged 43 mpg in the city. Its fuel efficient, yet it has get-up-and-go when it needs it. The fuel gauge is more conservative than published in the owners manual. Ive been very satisfied.

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  Average Car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mshort - June 20 - 3:40 am

  I bought this car 2 years ago. I wish that i would have researched the engine sizes available, the 2.0 is a weak engine and doesnt get very good gas mileage. I wish that I would have gotten the 1.8T. It comes with the same estimated mpg. The build quality is very good. The styling inside and out is the best ive seen. reliability has been pretty good, sometimes gets flooded. Uses a special synthetic oil that is hard to find and expensive. And at 60,000 yo need you timing belt and water pump replaced. Costs around 800, I got lucky and only payed 450.

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  Canadian Passat TDI Trendline + - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By smilenacadian - June 19 - 3:38 am

  VW, did a lot of things right this time around. I have a love hate relationship with this car however. I find the cost of maintaining the Passat over the top. U.S. consumers I understand have free maintenance for the first part of the ownership. At almost 90,000 kms The warranty is history. The exhaust flap had to be replace at 70,000 kms. After which the exahust shield had to be replaced at 72,000 kms or there about. I guess another drawback is there dealer network. From Burlington Ontario to Newfoundland. There is only two out of the 6 dealers I went to that are there for the customer. Five stars to Steel VW in Dartmouth Nova Scotia and 5 stars to Belleville VW in Belleville Ontario.

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  New Beetle for the Young at Heart - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Chuckw - June 17 - 10:00 am

  My only problem with the car was when it was two days old. I had an electrical problem where the windshield wipers would go on, the emergency flashers would activate, and myriad other electrical impossibilities. It took 3 weeks to get it back to me... problem; a bad ground in the headlight. Since the day I got it back, it has been problem free. I really enjoy the spirit the turbo GLX displays and only now, after two years, have come to drive it a little more sensibly. My two biggest complaints are the useless cup holders and the reception on the radio, which is really bad on the AM side.

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  Safest car you can buy - 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Paul - June 16 - 2:00 am

  This is actually the second Tiguan weve bought in 4 months. The first was totaled with a head on 45 mph crash with a vehicle twice its size. We survived because the crash cage is 3.9 times that of the federal safety standards according to the police officer. Hence when it came to a replacement, it was this, the Volvo XC60 (or if we could wait for it Saab 94X). We chose the Tiguan as its more fun to drive than the XC60, has a nice interior, and although the ride can be firm (along with the seats). It eats through the miles quickly. The interior is slightly different to the 2010 model. I prefer the old steering wheel controls and stick shift, but ipod/phone integration is a lot better.

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  Pretty good - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mike - June 13 - 4:26 am

  Ive only owned Hondas and one Subaru (a WRX) before this car, and I wanted something different and cheaper. I got a really low lease on this car. This car is fine. Its anonymous, comfortable-just real easy to live with. Its different than Japanese cars, though. It makes weird noises, and some of the controls seem counterintuitive. Ive had absolutely no reliability problems so far, which is unexpected.

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  The Real Deal - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By radiogeek - June 12 - 8:30 am

  My 7th Passat, and 3rd of this "B6" series. Ive had NO reliability issues with any. The 2007 Wolfsburg Editions are late model year production with packaged goodies including 2008 wheel style; they appear identical to a 2008 Komfort model. I paid just over $24,800--some $3K off sticker. You cant get this much European car for the money anywhere else. Make no mistake--unlike the Audi A4, this is NOT a sports sedan. Suspension settings and steering effort have been softened and seats "Americanized." However, its a roomy family sedan with Euro flair and quality. Skip the thirsty VR6--the 2.0t engine is enough; its happy with the 6 spd Aisin automatic, and plenty powerful off the line.