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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  Mercedes vs. Phaeton - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Marlene - November 4 - 10:03 am

  My husband and I have owned Mercedes in the past. We test drove the Phaeton a month after leasing our Toureag. We found it to be far superior to the Mercedes in handling, comfort, room, GPS system easier to use and comparable in price. We were more comfortable with the sales personel at VW and service was much more accommodating. Love it, hope to never have to go back to a Mercedes

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  Vw 2014 jetta - 2014 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rania mikhail - November 4 - 1:53 am

  I bought it brand new it has 12000 miles now start leaking after 2000 miles and has electronic problems not recommend to any person pooring car

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  A True REVIEW - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lovemyjetta4 - November 4 - 12:10 am

  I just Bought My 2001 Volkswagen Jetta VR6 GLX it has 173,000 miles, usually this many miles will scare a typical buyer away. this car has been nothing but reliable, it does have a little sputter problem but im willing to fix this car. I came from a Saturn L200 and it was way more expensive than this car to fix (MOST PARTS) When most people buy a Volkswagen or ANY import for this matter, they think they can run the crap out of it and not have to repair it. Germans are GENIUS Engineers and this is my 3rd Jetta since 18 and im sorry, but NOTHING beats a VW. they do have issues but ALL cars do, usually anyone complains when they have to spend money. for any new buyer dont be afraid of VWs

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  VW Passat TDI Wagon, Great Car! - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jeff Spahn - November 3 - 11:56 pm

  My 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Wagon has been very reliable. I have never had a cold start issue, no matter the temps. This is the last year you can run BioDiesel in the Passat (new 06 Brochure says no to Bio). My car has no smoke and gobs of passing power without a downshift. We live 70 miles from the dealership. I was apprehensive about this at first, but we never need to see them. Being able to go 10,000 miles between oil changes is nice. This car has a super quiet engine. Only the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Diesel is quieter in my experience.

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  Test Drive Carefully and Completely - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By FastFred - November 3 - 7:33 pm

  Ive driven the VW for one year and I am unhappy with it. The dashboard instruments cannot be seen in the daylight! AC display panel is a joke, dark and almost illegible. The Monsoon radio on AM cannot be tuned in clearly. The dealer says: Thats typical of VW radios! My cars gas mileage is quite low for a V6. I am averaging 13-15 mpg around town, 20-23 mpg on thehighway. Overall, consider a Honda or a Toyota for the same or less money.

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  great car so far - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Eric Koppelson - November 3 - 12:19 pm

  Bought a certified pre-owned 2.5L SE Convenience w/18K miles on it and am very happy with it so far. For the price, I feel this car is a great balance of a sporty but safe family sedan, with a large trunk and roomy backseat, good handling and power (with the 2.5L engine), and decent fuel economy. Its well-styled and comfortable (im 61 and my wife is tall). A few very minor complaints (see below). Was concerned about the lack of independent suspension, but my wife and baby are totally fine even in rough city roads in winter.

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  Best MPG ever - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Robert Clark - November 3 - 10:23 am

  First of all: it is a German car - precise, exact, and yes, well built. Then it comes the MPG. I am taking weekly pictures of the dashboard of 50-54 MPG. I also fill at the same pump, same results. Mine is a diesel, but it drives like a gas, and contrary to public perception, there is no smoke, no noise, and it has a lot of pickup. I will keep this car until the doors will fall off. The MPG pays off every day...

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  Run, Dont Walk Away From This SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Leigh - November 2 - 2:33 pm

  Where to begin? Everything you have read is true. Brakes seem to go out every two years and when they do, prepare to replace your rotors. Tires go out every two years also and I pay about $900 to have four new tires put on. Oil changes are upward of $100 and dealing with the dealership is a living HELL. Beautiful car, but insane to maintain. I am thankful I dont have car payments. I will NEVER own a VW again!

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  GLX Passatt - Review After Four Years - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed Owner - November 2 - 1:10 pm

  The Passat is not a reliable / dependable car. Mine is on its third set of new REAR rotors and fourth set of pads in 37,000 miles. The first three times were under warranty (dealership asked NO questions). They made it seem like it was a problem with that year of car. Now, after the warranty is expired, they are refusing to accommodate us with new back brakes and are claiming that we always paid for the pads (which wasnt the case). The radio stopped working and was replaced (no questions asked). You cannot change your taillights and headlights. Ours burned out about seven times! Also, this car has had problems with its electrical system, throttle lag (which is dangerous), and its serpentine belt has already been replaced - tires too.

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  A Dream or a Cliff Diver - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Val - November 2 - 2:53 am

  I have had more problems with this car than I could have ever imagined. It was my dream car that turned into a nightmare of recalls and problems. From the engine that is constantly in need of repair, to the glove box that broke when I opened it, the catalytic converter that was recalled, but they wont fix until $1,000 of parts are replaced to make sure it is the converter that is the problem. If I was a mechanic, and someone gave me the car, I still would never get one again! You couldnt pay me enough!