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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  The Money Pit - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Just Say NO! - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Where do I begin...Lets start with the peeling paint on the hood and roof. Not exactly showroom quality and its only two years old. I have replaced the rear brakes and calipers two times in the past 36K miles. My Maxima is going on 40K miles on the original brakes! Tail lights seem to burn out bulbs regularly to the point where I actually have a supply in the trunk and the brakes sound like a fog horn when backing up. According to two dealerships..."this is just how it is!" The pads are dragging against the rotors and there is no way to prevent it....right! What else..oh yeah..the chronic ignition coil failure and that horrible turbo lag.

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  Major TDI Engine Repairs...Cam failures - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By okcar4me - August 25 - 2:19 am

  Known issue on TDI owner club - cam shaft and lifters fail (not hardened correctly)... BRM Engine code 1.9L Costs to repair was $2000. Prevention: have timing belt replacement, at same time ask for mechanic to assess the valve lifters (followers)... for scarring, pitting and worse yet total failure! Will lose power, will trip all sorts of codes Check engine, progresses to worse! Sorry VW does not offer any ear to this problem.. I am going to japanese engines! Never again for me. If it happens report it to NHTSA ODI (google it). best wishes.....

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  I ignored the reviews and bought one anyway, DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE!! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By dontbuyavw - August 16 - 11:34 pm

  I read many mixed reviews about Passats before purchasing mine used. It is a 5 speed with 120,000 miles. That may seem high but 4 a stick it really aint to bad. The car is cute and fun to drive but its a POS! Ive had the car 2 months and have had nothing but problems. The power steering went out, had to replace the pump twice and now its making a winding noise as i turn. Cheap made parts are falling off left and right. Blinker light even fell off as i was driving on the interstate. windows are crap and work only when they want to. now it wont even start! Just makes a wierd ticking noise. Its a cute car, but im going back to my busted and rusted chevy cus thats never quit on me!!! [violative content deleted]!!

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  Comfortable but unreliable - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bynddrvn - August 11 - 4:15 pm

  Basically constant problems. For some reason the braking system has never worked correctly, even under moderate pedal pressure the brakes pulse as though the ABS is engaged. Replaced main brake booster, front disks, and brake pads. The fenders rusted through and this is apparently a known issue for the diesel version as it has additional insulation to dampen noise. Unfortunately, the insulation also happens to suck up moisture and road salt. Around 80k miles the MAP sensor went out and just about part related to the braking system was replaced, again. At just over 100k miles the turbo started leaking oil and this gummed up the MAP sensor, EGR valve, intake, and connecting lines.

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  OIL SLUDGE AT 120K! READ THE FORUMS - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By j1eis - August 1 - 10:46 am

  Sure I took a risk buying this car used at 119,500 miles, but all the reviews online were pretty good for this car. 400 miles later I started having oil pressure lights and engine lights come on and when I googled the symptoms, I got all kinds of bad news about the car. Oil sludge is a problem and if its not fixed fast, the engine will need replacing. Im not even sure if there really is a fix for this problem. If you have this car, get it checked right away. These reviews make it look like a good car, but be careful and read the forums to see what will really happen if you purchase/own this car. 2002 also has this problem

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  Disappointing VW - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kerry - July 28 - 8:40 pm

  I bought this car new 1999 and at first I loved it. However, I have since changed my mind. Im not sure if its because this car was built in Mexico and not Germany that the quality is not as good, but I have had the left rear window fixed TWICE at my expense. The electrical system is shotty at best. When I turn down the radio volume, it gets louder before it gets quieter. The interior of the car seems to falling apart. The gear shifter cover had to be replaced 3 times and the rear cup holder cover keeps popping off. As for the exterior, my biggest complaint is that the driver and passenger side door bumpers (the rubber part, so people dont ding your doors) have fallen off. My 1975 Westy is better.

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  POOR PERFORMANCE ENGINE - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By N H - July 25 - 10:00 am

  From the start witht he purchase of this vehicle I have had nothing but issues. First the dealship messed up the paperwork and we were called back in at least 3 times. NOW after a year old the engine just stopped on the PA turnpike, stranded me there for 3 days. The dealer said that the fuel injector ALREADY needs to be replaced! VW left us out there with no help! They said because I was over my warranty by a 1000 miles. Nice 1st time I have ever bought a VW and will be the last! MY GM cars never gave me issues like this in such a new car. Oh and CDs get caught in the CD player, it grinds, but maintenance said its ok!!

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  Awful CAR - Value Wasted! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By TX3Ni - July 20 - 8:56 pm

  I owned a 2000 Passat and absolutely hated it! The warranty only covered 24,000 miles, and the engine sludged. The service at the dealership was lousy. My wife decide she wanted a new car which is why Im here again. VW Passat still has the same awful mess created in 2000, just a slicker version. Its reliability was terrible. I lost a lot of time taking it to dealer and getting a run around delay from VW USA. It looks nice but if you want a reliable CAR dont try a VW.

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  I bought a stink bug - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By J. Lewis - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car with 22000 miles on it, it now has 52000. I have replaced both headlights twice, both power window switches, both power window motors, and both window regulators. The cooling fan has quit, two speakers dont work, the interior handles have peeled off, and if youre not a midget you will bump your head on the rattle infested roof.

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  Will Never buy it again - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rodger47 - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I am so glad I got raid it this car. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PASST, this is by far the worst car I ever had, in 1 year and 2months of ownership I had to take it in many times, to the dealer and a private mechanic. Problems includes: one recall, on electrical problem (left me on the road), steering, AC, Battery, cup holder, brakes, and windows. Everything is stupidly expensive and it is very hard to find. After that I had more problems with the windows both sides and had to had it repair twice, also started to have some problems with the power steering before I sold. It is very had to re-sell this vehicle.