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:

• 

  Good for 79,500 miles - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chrislongo - January 27 - 9:13 pm

  I was a good car for 79,500 miles. Did all routine maintenance plus a new intake manifold but this was not enough to keep it going. It need a whole new engine after 79,500 miles.

• 

  Too good to trade in - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By fs - January 27 - 12:46 pm

  Traded in an SUV for this car when it was 3 years old and had about 30,000 miles. After getting over the initial shock of how tiny the vehicle was, almost everything has been positive since. This is the second-best car my family has owned (the first was a 98 Cabrio). Weve had GM, Honda, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, but nothing like the tight handling of the VW. At 135k, still a quiet, smooth ride. Weve been through two minivans in the time weve had the Jetta, and it might be time to replace the Jetta next, though its showing no signs of quitting. Dealt with the CEL for the O2 sensor issue for about 4 years-- but not too much just to ignore. Also had some engine fan issues after 100k.

• 

  Great - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By gtv6 - January 26 - 1:00 pm

  This car has been perfect through 36000 miles following up on the near perfection of our previous 04 jetta wagon over 93000 miles. It is a surprisingly competent, long-legged tourer.

• 

  Jetta GLI - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Robert - January 26 - 11:20 am

  I purchased my car used with 31,000 miles. Kudos to VW for adding the 6-seepd tranny, larger brakes, stiffer springs, body kit and Recaro seats! This Jetta is definitely worthy of the GLI badge. The suspension is on the firm side, but its great fun to drive. It is very comfortable on my commutes. As a previous reviewer also mentioned, the front lip hangs fairly low, so you need to exercise caution when parking or when going up ramps. I love the car so far.

• 

  3 year lease end love it/hate it still pt. 1 - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vincef329 - January 26 - 8:18 am

  I have leased my salsa red Jetta SE for almost 3 years now, mileage up to 32,000. I originally wrote the love it/hate it review and want to expand on that. Styling is still modern after 3 years, still a good looking car inside and out. The leatherette still looks great as all other interior components do also, even the carpet. I live in the NE so the carpet sees its fair share of wet and snowy shoes, still cleans up well. No problems with any interior components, all are like new. Exterior paint has chipped considerably, how very sad. Seems only the red paint suffered this as I have "red" about it on the internet. Above the rear license plate the paint has completely come off and rust has

• 

  Satisfied and Secure Jetta Owner - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By nywvblue - January 25 - 2:04 am

  I bought my car from its original owner, a retired couple, with 75,000 miles on it and at 6 years old. It had some strange wear in the interior (the arm rests on the doors in the front were half peeled away), but otherwise it was in perfect condition. It lived with me in NYC for the next 2+ years and, aside from a nagging CEL situation due to the MAF sensor failing every 8 months or so as well the mechanism in one side window suddenly failing, it has been a super, reliable car.

• 

  JettaTDI - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Nalfs - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Primary reason for buying was to avoid semi-weekly gas station fillups as I have a 100 mi. daily commute. Milege is better than advertised. I get 49-52 mpg. Paying dividends now with gas > $2.00 and diesel @ $1.70! It has been extremely reliable, it has never broken down or failed to start, even in subzero New England weather. Never any problems with electrical. Glow plugs had to be replaced once (not needed to start car) and were rather expensive, but you can find them cheap on the internet rather than pay the dealerships insane prices. 135K miles to date and many more Im sure. Great car.

• 

  NEVER AGAIN!!!!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Piperboi - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I had nothing but problems since day 1! The dealer had my car more than I did. I take very good care of my cars, this one just did not see to want to hang in there. my egnition coil, window swithches, brake light switch, temp gage, emergency brake handle, glove box lever, cooling system, power locks, moonroof/shade, and gage cluster all went bad or broke! To replace a headlight you have to go to the dealer!! ($50.00) Breaks are VERY expensive too! I will never own a VW product again! If you are in the market for a bug..THINK TWICE! DO NOT BUY! The warrenty is awful! even with an extra warrenty i bought, i put in $3000 more!

• 

  Nice Car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By GLK - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This tastefully designed car is built on a stretched Audi A4 platform and utilizes A4 & A6 underpinnings. The interior is seriously lacking in storage space & the Monsoon stereo doesnt have strong bass, but interior quality is first class. Likewise, the exterior build quality is as good as it gets. The turbo 4 is both strong and weak depending on when the boost kicks in. Utilizing this engine to its best advantage takes practice. The driving dynamics are where this car excels as it feels taught, solid, and connected to the road. However, the brake pedal feels a tad mushy. Overall the car offers more panache than its competitors and represents a good value.

• 

  Passat Air Conditioner - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By 2006 Passat - January 23 - 12:53 am

  I own the 2.0T 4 cyl. Passat and the air conditioning system is just terrible. Its like having a fan on high. The worst system Ive ever had in a car and its just how its engineered. Nothing can be done about it. The heating system is poor also. Car is fun to drive, handles super. Very peppy for a 4 cyl. But not having even an adequate cooling or heating system is very disturbing.