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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  Beware of very expensive 40K service - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By cheapcar2012 - April 7 - 10:51 pm

  The MPG really drops if driving above 75mph. 40K service includes DSG transmission fluid drain, and it costs $$$$. Back seat tight for 3 adults. Impossible for 2 Adults+baby seat.

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  Could have been great... - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By pikers - April 6 - 6:56 pm

  At my first oil change I complained that the shift lever was violently shaking in 4th gear, so VW replaced the shift assembly. Things went well for a few months and then the shaking came back. I brought it back to the dealer for the 10k checkup and told them the shaking was back. To my amazement they told me they had to rebuild my transmission!! This should never happen with a manual gear box, especially one with 9500 miles on it. But it doesnt stop there. Today the automatic up/down feature for the windows stopped working. Ive owned the car for a year and put 9500 miles on it and it has been in the shop for over 4 weeks in one year...not a good ratio if you asked me.

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  black tdi wagon-- auto--corn silk interior - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By garry8 - April 6 - 5:13 am

  just turned 2k miles goes like a scalded dog-- have avg 39.6 miles over all and have achieved 53.4 driving home from my lake cabin in nw wis. with a tailwind to the twin-cities--avg. normally about 47-- i am 6-1 inch and 220 pounds fits like a glove -- looked at Outback wagon but i aldready have 2 other 4 wheel drives a Trooper & 2010 hemi ram pickup--it replaced a 2006 JEEP wrangler which held its value like none other i figured that this TDI will also hold its value

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  Love my VDub - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By italianbrunette311 - April 4 - 6:43 am

  Great car, very safe in the snow. Coming from a sports car to this wasnt very hard because it has so much pep. Bought this car March 2008 and 2 years later I have not had one problem with it.

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  Great Reliable Car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By herbz - April 2 - 6:35 pm

  164,000 miles and running great. Reliable as can be. Good on gas, MPG has dropped slightly as the car aged but still gets 30mpg city easily. Massive trunk for a small car. Other than ground clearance it is a very good winter car. Only issue is an intermittent CEL related to an emissions issue that comes and goes. Dealer says its not worth chasing as the car runs perfect. Definitely will consider another Jetta or VW product.

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  Great Car...but its like an iPhone - 2012 Volkswagen Golf
  By volvogirl5 - April 1 - 12:41 pm

  I was torn between a Golf and the Ford Focus. Ultimately, the interior detail and materials sold me on the Golf. It looks like an Audi on the inside (especially at night!). My cloth seats are comfortable and ergonomically correct. I can fit 4 adults in the car without it feeling cramped. Currently getting approx 315 miles per tank. Its really a quality vehicle. The only downside is that my service light has come twice in the past year that Ive owned it. The computer on the vehicle needed an update. Although the updates are free at VW, its time consuming and annoying. Service guy told me its like owning an iphone and theres no warning when you might get the light.

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  2000 Jetta: Great car albeit problems - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mbez - April 1 - 11:50 am

  I bought the car in August 1999 (early). I had an initial problem at 5K: relay burnt, check engine light came on. No problems until 30,000 miles. Check engine light came on 3 more times within 2 months. It was very frustrating to go to the dealer, wait 3-4 hrs, drive the car out, and the next day, the damn "check engine light" comes back on again. VW basically replaced the O2 sensor, a fuel pump relay, and the mass airflow sensor. Parts failures, parts failures, parts failures...

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  Make Road Trippen Enjoyable - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By CTMinSEA - April 1 - 10:00 am

  Picked up our 03 MV a few months ago and love the car. I had owned a Vanagon for several years so I was already biased to the EV. Came from a Subaru Outback and needed a hauler to replace it and balance out the sport factor in our household auto collection (00 Boxster). Honestly, some day I prefer rolling out of the house in the EV over the Boxster. Its a fantastic car even though, arguable over priced with what one would buy alternative manufacturers. Then again, I didnt want a mini van, baby hauler, etc!

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  surprising beetle... - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kathryn - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I also always wanted a beetle, and when they returned a few years ago, I couldnt wait to own one! Its adorable, and the test drive was amazing- how it hugged the road. I love the sound of the engine. I bought a black one, and all was well until...a front headlight burned out after owning it for only 3 months?? Next? A light came on indicating that I could not drive without damaging the engine...most recently? The car died- fine one minute, dead the next. It needed a new battery after 18 months?? Oh- and the other headlight burned out. I do still love the beetle. Would I buy another one? No. Its unpredictible.

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  VW Touareg - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By joeynh76 - March 30 - 10:20 pm

  The Touareg is a great SUV! The only problem is that VWs maintenance schedule at 40,000 miles requires a tune up ($500). Also about this time the brakes need to be replaced, which means pads, rotors and sensors (again all according to the dealership). That costs about $1,400. New tires about this time about $600 +/- oh yea and the (synthetic) oil change $80 sooo lets see I have to put about $2,500 in to a new SUV...what the heck?! I can buy a used beater for that money! If VW told me I was going to have to pay this price for maintenance..I would have told them to take a long walk off a short pier! I love my VW and have had no problems with it until this 40,000 maintenance but thats just because of the cost.