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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  2014 VW Jetta SE-Basic is what VW does best - 2014 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andrew Cherouvis - March 3 - 10:43 pm

  After reviewing a variety of cars, the Jetta appealed to me . The Jetta can be considered austere in many regards. The interior is basic, with a clutter free dashboard. This is what VW does best. I love how clean the interior dashboard is free of the over techno interiors found in many cars. The front seats are extremely comfortable with plenty of room in the rear. The trunk is very large with the ability to drop the back seats for added storage. Driving the Jetta with the 1.8 Liter turbo with the manual 5 spd is where the Jetta shines. The shifter has short throws between gears and has a great feel to it. The car handles great, with an adequate suspension for daily driving. My gas mileage averages between 37-41MPG. The Jetta is a very solid and safe car. I also am very happy with base stereo.

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  E-Golf - Be Ware It is A Newly Introduced Car - 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf
  By het3 - March 3 - 4:54 am

  BUYER BEWARE. We recently purchased an e-golf that stopped driving. Car was charged and electrical system worked but it would not drive while in gear. It was towed to dealer (Capital VW in San Jose, CA). Service department reported that diagnostic showed power button was pressed, which was not the case, even so it should not stop functioning. After couple days we were told that firmware is updated and that car can be picked up. No explanation of actually what had gone wrong. We were told to open a case with VW service. VW response was that car now works and is under warranty, take action outside of VW if you like. Be ware that this is a newly introduced car with potential bugs.

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  POOR RELIABILITY - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ivan - March 3 - 3:57 am

  I can admit that Ive made big mistake with this car. Jetta 2016 has problems with Automatic transmission which is performing poorly in traffic (feels like it skips 2-nd gear). Its like you dont need all these 6 speeds in the city! The actual horsepower is 120 Hp. After first oil change its gas mileage dropped by 5-7 mpg (Im using the same gas station and same route to work). I am assuming that a car comes with different oil type from the factory, with different viscosity: sort of your oil-starter. Ive addressed all these issues to the Kings VW in Rockville MD and the service manager told me that "this is normal... well get you a new car at the end of your lease". I used to think that reviews with "car spent X days in the shop" or "dealer told me to contact VW" are written by people with no life. I am very busy with mine. Leasing VW was big mistake. I had 2 (two) Toyota (Camry and Prius) and crossed the US a couple of times but no dealer told me to "go and call...". I think all positive reviews here are from VW to keep the brand up which is dead already because of their cheating with many things (this time they just got caught). And handling is not that great.

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  Gives MB/BMW a run for less money!! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By stellar0714 - March 2 - 5:53 pm

  I ended up trading my 03 Passat GLX, which I loved, yesterday due to original transaction problems. Still in awe that this gorgeous car was so affordable. I have always been a automatic/sunroof kind of girl but the manual/no roof is perfect! Do not even miss the sunroof as the roof line is lower than traditional sedans, it feels like you are in a cockpit! Love, love this car!!

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  Dont do it............ - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kozso - March 2 - 4:30 pm

  Looking to buy a VW Beetle? Dont do it! We have had our Beetle for 1 1/2 years. We bought used with 60,000 on it. Shame on me for not doing my homework. It has been a nightmare. OK, it is fun to drive, gets 43+ mpg and we have put 50,000 miles on it. But the frequent costly repairs out weighs the savings at the pump and the fun of driving it. VW has an electrical issue. I get the thing fixed, and try to sell, but another indicator lights pops on: check engine, ABS, brake pads - you name it, it has been broken. At this rate I will never get rid of it.

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  Bad Brakes - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By richard minor - March 2 - 10:20 am

  My 2007 Jetta at 27000 miles had to have rear pads replaced and rotors turned. Dealer says this is normal for this car. Cost of repair was 270 dollars. I see nothing normal about this. Seems very premature for brake job and very expensive.

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  Hot Hatch - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Chase Bellows - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Tis car is very useful yet fun to drive. It can handle huge amounts of stuff in the back and still has the power to make you grin. Also, Very good build quality

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  Disappointing for a VW--Caviat Emptor! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ryancal - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Buyer Beware!I have a 2000 Jetta GL and Sadly,I must say that this will be my last!At 24K miles,the temperature gauge stopped working.When I asked the dealer about it,they said it would cost $90 bucks JUST to hook the car up to their "computer" to see WHY it was happenning!Also,around 20K miles,the cars suspension(they think)started making a loud "sqeaking/crunching" sound whenever I turned right,or took a corner while breaking.My rear breaks were shot at 22K, and after only normal driving.My check engine light and ABS light go on and off for no reason.The radio controls are inconveniently located too low to the floor.

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  Almost worth the Trouble - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By youareslow - March 2 - 2:00 am

  I leased my 01 Beetle and it has been in the shop about 4 times in the first 2 years for various things. They are all minor things, but still issues. The window regulators, the speedometer, center console, and gas cap have all failed since it was new. These are not huge issues but should be noted. The window regulator has a recall so if you have this problem go get it fixed. Otherwise the car has been everything I hoped it would be. The Turbo motor is quiet, smooth, and very powerful. The heated seats are great in the winter and car is very quiet at highway speeds. Overall I would call the car "Not so trouble- free fun."

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  This car SUCKS - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By juniper - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had a lot of repairs, so I will simply list them: Front and rear Oxygen sensors, Mass flow meter, Spark plugs and wires twice (30,000 and 70,000 miles), Brake light sensor, Coil pack, Catalytic converter, Rear brake pads and rotors twice (nothing done to the front brakes...seems strange), Serpentine belt, power window motors...these include the major repairs that were NOT covered under warranty, but then again not much is when VW only offers 2 years or 24,000 miles. I will never buy another VW ever!!!