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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  Getting used to it! - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Jody - June 1 - 12:31 pm

  This is my first VW since the late 80s. Must say, theyve improved the interior! Everything is sleek and attractive. I do have a rattle, but havent been able to get to the dealership yet. Annoying! The road noise when going slow speeds or engine noise when accelerating is noticeable, but highway speed is quiet. There are too many neat little things to list - but here are a few: the side mirrors roll up when the car is locked (no parking lot dings!), the side mirrors go down when reversing for better visibility; adaptive cruise is outstanding!; the sill of the door lights up so you can see to get in; the headlights light to the right or left when turning so you can what you are turning into!!!! On the driving side, some reviews mentioned it being under powered; I thought that, but then realized I just had to get used to the turbo lag. In Sport mode, the lag is gone and accelerates fine. It certainly accelerates a LOT better than my 4 cylinder Subaru Outback! The shifting is a bit rough in Normal or Eco; again, Sport mode smooths it out. My fuel economy is much better than advertised - about 31 highway and 34 city! and it is true mileage; Ive calculated it when refueling. And a 72 month warranty! Do wish I had a green one instead of grey, but all in all, a purchase I would make again!

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  Best Car I Have Purchased - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By colbygilbert - June 1 - 2:23 am

  It is really a great car with quick acceleration for a 4 cyl engine. Comfortable and roomy. I wish I had bought it for me and not my wife.

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  In Love with the Beetle - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Beetle Bill - May 31 - 10:46 am

  I bought this car back in 1999 drove it until our daughter turned 16 and gave it to her. She took it to college and her first job. I took it back when it had water pump problem at 100,000 miles. Otherwise the engine runs like a Swiss watch. A couple of buttons have broken but I figure that to be expected after 10 years. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

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  Just got it - 2015 Volkswagen Golf
  By toyota420xp - May 31 - 7:37 am

  It has plenty of power well more than I need. I had a corolla before. Good mpg. Dont know how accurate computer mpg readout is but my mpg is always higher than EPA. Slightly slow from take off on really low rpm but then its great on power. Base speakers not fender are really good. Small car but Im fat and 5ft 11 and I can sit in the back,or front easily. I live in bumpy road vermont and ride is compliant. Corners well. looks way better than mk6 golf. Price is now affordable. Compared to toyota products everything you touch feels sturdy. All the bins are lined to stop rattles hood is lined has a strut to hold it up not a cheap metal rod. Reliabilty is left to be said. Seats are firm.

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  First VW - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By geo430 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  The car has performed very well in general, it truly is fun to drive. The oil filter has made oil changes a little inconvienent and the car uses about 1/2 quart between changes. 1st to 2nd gear is rough if you rev it up. The ride is great.

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  Not all its racked up to be. - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By ALE - May 27 - 9:33 am

  I love my car, if it would just keep working!! I have owned 3 VWs. But my 3rd is making me look like a fool. I love the way it drives, it corners like it is on rails. Very comfortable interior, awesome sound system. Other people dont understand why I still have it. I have now been stranded 2 times and have only owned it for 15 months, with 76,ooo miles. This car is well cared for. The coils have failed, CV boots replaced, and now oil cooler failed. I hate to get rid of it, but at this point I could owe a Lexus for what it has cost me to fix this one.

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  Great car but some annoying problems - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mike - May 26 - 9:26 pm

  We have had the car about 3 1/2 years. As I read these reviews I see that many of the problems are common to this model car. One was the power window falling in twice. Another was the console/ armrest breaking. Another, and most disturbing was both cooling fans going out. Fortunately all these repairs were covered under warranty. Beyond this the car is a blast to drive, looks great and gets about 28-30 MPG on the hwy. and 23-25 MPG city. I think VW could have done a bit more with quality control. Its a shame that so many people gave this car a poor review based on apparently simple problems. I for one would buy VW again. Ive owned many cars that were not as dependable as this one has been.

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  Bad Decision - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Amy - May 24 - 2:36 pm

  Bought this car used with only 26,000 miles on it. It has always been very fun to drive and the handling is great (except in the snow). But the reliability is the worst of any car I have ever owned, and I have had some bad ones! The list of problems includes the permanantly on check engine light, replaced fan control unit at 65,000 miles, air bag problems, broken fuel latch and trunk latch, knob for mirrors fell off, broken arm rest latch, steering rack replaced twice, air conditioner went out at 68,000 miles, broken knobs on the stero, some dash lights are burnt out, etc. I could go on and on forever. And NOTHING on the car is inexpensive to fix. It even requires premium gas because of the turbo. Dont make the same bad decision I made.

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  Big VR6 fan. would buy another any day - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By Bruno - May 21 - 8:56 pm

  I had a 2001 GTI vr6 and man do i miss it.. the only reason why i sold it its because financially i was having problems at that time... But as of right now Im looking to Buy another one... Throw a nice short ram or cold air intake, a nice greddy exhaust and your driving a beast, sounds and drives like a champ... not to mention if you throw in a turbo in it.. forget it awesome car.

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  Shes Been Good to me - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bfourney - May 21 - 7:03 pm

  Certainly not my most reliable car, but it just has a lot of personality and its certainly been my favorite. MK IV VWs are famous for a handful of issues and mines had a few of them, all luckily covered under my CPO warranty since I bought it from a VW dealer. It was really love at first sight, a VR6 manual in silver with grey interior. The dealer let me take it out by myself and I was sold. I still love to drive it 4 years later and it still looks like new, aside from a couple of minor things. The issues? The infamous coilpack, MAF sensor, throttle body, and minor mechanical things like the latch on the armrest. VW recalled quite a few things before they ever failed on me.