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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  Very Average - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Josh S - October 21 - 11:40 pm

  I bought my 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T new in 03. It immediately had some problems with the ESP (took it back twice for the same problem). A year later I had to go back to the dealer for some other electrical problems. Now theres a rattle in the engine compartment and its making a popping noise from the front left wheel while turning (yet nobody can find a problem). This car was babied from the beginning and I am still having problems with it. However, it is fun to drive. The 1.8T engine has nice power and minimal turbo lag. Its suspension is mushy at speed though, Ive been in cheaper cars that handle better. The Jetta looks are great inside and out, with the exception of a few cheap looking accents (door grips wear, floor mat holder broke).

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  What is wrong with the Germans? - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By IJB - October 19 - 5:16 am

  I bought this car hoping for a step up in performance from the Hondas I was used to driving, Im now trading it in for a Honda. The engine is powerful but that comes with the cost of a miserable 19-20 mpg, costing me almost $50 a week thanks to it requiring premium. The headlights are fine until you turn on the high beams and notice that they are dimmer than the low beams, the DBW gas pedal makes the car difficult to drive smoothly for anyone driving for the first time, it leaks coolant, the timing chain makes noise and needs to be replaced, the transmission slips and makes noise, the list goes on. On top of it all its next to impossible to find info on how to maintain the car yourself.

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  Well Served - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Pleasingly Happy - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Ive been very pleased with my Jetta. Its fun to drive and it looks great. The only draw back was the standard roll-up windows. Im glad to know the 2003s will have power as part of the standard model. A little tight in the back seat. I would buy another.

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  Happy but.... - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By GregL_STL - October 17 - 10:00 am

  My opinion seems to be along the lines of everyone else... the car is fun to drive, stylish and powerful. BUT, VW needs to work on their reliability. In the three years since I bought the car, Ive had the window regulators go out three times, the air bag light come on three times, and the 02 and airflow sensors fail. Luckily, only the sensors were not covered under warranty -- but that was still $600. If the reliability was better, I wouldnt have any hesitation on recommending the Jetta to others. Instead, I do so with words of caution.

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  I wanna push it off a bridge! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ashley - October 17 - 8:06 am

  My car has been such a hassle from the day I got it. There was electrical issues, fan problems, another part in the motor broke and the car died (the dealership had 30 parts in stock cause this happens alot!), I got a hole in my muffler and my CV joints broke (which is expensive!). Now when I speed up the car jerks back and forth, makes a high squealing sound and the check engine light comes on. 3 other people at my work have all had issues with their passat or jetta. I will never buy another VW.. I recommend that you dont either!

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  mix&match - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ajkula - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Just got rid of my 2001GL.What I am going to miss in a Odyssey I traded it in for: -absolutely superb handling, braking and style,excellent fuel economy, and its "ugly duckling in the mood" charm. what I am not going to miss: -absolutely horrible auto transmission (get a stick by all means),misting in all and any type of weather,rear seat passengers complaining about lack of comfort, troubles with alarm system.

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  Great car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Maebee - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I like my new 2002 Jetta TDI (5 speed/Man)better every day. Just went over 11,000 miles with it. Except for the fact that radio stopped working one day, which the dealer fixed in 30 min, Ive had no problems at all. Started fine all winter even at -15 F. Gas mileage keeps getting better now Im averaging about 46 mpg. Does not smell, smoke or have any of the diesel problems that were common in the 80s. There is a terrific website for TDI owners that is very helpful.

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  Great Car - Aweful Value - 2007 Volkswagen Touareg
  By John - October 13 - 3:56 am

  I bought a 07 Touareg a little over a year ago. At first I was very happy. But after a year a lot started happening to it. Little things... But what topped it over, after 34k miles I now have to drop 1700 for 4 new breaks and rotters. Buyer beware... if you buy a touareg you will be dropping a ton of money in it to keep it up - do yourself a favor - go buy a Acura or a Toyota... Stay away from the Touareg and your wallet will appreciate it...

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  Touareg - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Mary - October 12 - 10:40 pm

  Handles like a sports car with SUV room and feel.

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  Jetta Trek...What an amazing car. - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mardin - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 97 VW jetta from a private party. It is my first car. I have had it for just over a year now and have put about 5000 miles on it since purchase. This car runs great, very reliable and always fun to drive. Everywhere I go I turn heads, because the car is in such good shape and just a sight to see. I would reccomend a 5 speed VW jetta (esp Trek) to anyone looking for a dependable car with great handling, a smooth ride, and more power than you would espect from a normal 4 cyl. car.