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:

• 

  TDI2FLY - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dzldorf - August 12 - 2:16 am

  This by far the most practical vehicle purchase I’ve made. I think keeping things in perspective is essential when reviewing a vehicle. Yes, it is called a SportWagon but it does not mean, racetrack ready. It is a perfect vehicle for people with an active lifestyle. You want a more rigid suspension buy the Golf TDI and if you want even more practical sports car buy the GTI. For a wagon this car hits the nail right on the head.

• 

  VW longevity - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lisasVW - August 11 - 2:30 pm

  I have wanted a VW since I was a child. In 2000 I purchased my first beetle. I am still driving it to this day. The bug has over 110,000 miles on it. The only problems I have had are the buttons on the radio snapped off inside the dash and I had to have it repaired, my heater died, and one sensor when bad. I can not stress enough to have only a VW dealership work on your car for any repair. I recently had new belts, spark plugs and wires, and few other things done to my car, only because I wanted to be a good "mommy" and take care of my baby. The garage was not a VW repair shop. To fix what they messed up has costed me over 1500. I have learnt my lesson.

• 

  Happy with my beautiful car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By lsubias - August 11 - 10:00 am

  This car rides like a dream - feels like floating! I didnt think Id be getting a white car, but this one looked so classy in white, its what I chose. I have the manual transmission, because I didnt like the feeling of a slight delay before the turbo kicked in on the triptronic system theyve been pushing. Maybe that was just me.

• 

  So far a good value for me - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Schooder - August 10 - 5:21 am

  I bought this car used at a dealer.7/2015 I live at 7000 above sea level and occasionally drive to 5400 (New Mexico) This is important to understand reference to performance. The 4 cylinder Turbo accelerates nicely at this altitude. It accelerates close to or better that my 2006 Toyota 4runner V8. I wanted to change the shifter handle for esthetic reasons and ended up damaging a small piece of plastic and ended up with a $1100 repair bill the replace the entire shifter module which had to remove from the bottom of the vehicle. The makers obviously was not intending this to be removed, so be careful if you want to change out the leather shift handle. I really like the way the windows operate. Typical German engineering, all the windows come up/down with one touch instead of just the driver door. There is a full size spare tire. The cruise control works great, one button push is all that is needed. And accelerates good. I bought it at 76,000 and now has 86,000 miles(1/2016). I think the ride could be smoother. I wonder if different tires would help. I think VW has always been a poor mans Audi. It doesnt feel as solid as or as smooth on the road as smooth as A4s I have owned.

• 

  An SUV That Can Take You Anywhere - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By docj - August 8 - 8:10 am

  We bought this SUV so my wife, a nurse, could get to work regardless of the weather. It has consistently demonstrated it can do that in some absolutely horrible conditions. We have a set of winter wheels with Pirelli Scorpion studless ice and snow tires for it and it can go just about anywhere. In good weather it is a fun SUV to drive; in sport mode it can beat most vehicles off the line. Youd never know you had 5,000 pounds under you. Reading other reviews I have no idea why people have been complaining of tire or brake life. Make sure the wheels are aligned and select tires carefully. Initial reliability was poor but has improved a lot;not cheap to fix--$1,100 for timing belt!

• 

  Just ordered my Phoeton - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By David Duty - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I just ordered one about 6 weeks ago and it should be here in Florida in another 6 weeks. I did have one for a full day to drive and it was WONDERFUL. Ive owned most of the other German, English, and Japanese luxury cars and I can tell you that for the money, NONE of them can touch this car. The hardest part is getting past the VW logo. Once thats done (after driving the car for about 10 minutes) then the decision is an easy one. I cant wait to get mine, David Duty Gulf Breeze, FL USA

• 

  Pay me now or pay me later - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By OmahaBob - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Styling and ride are fine. I cant believe the things that went wrong that I have never experienced in a car in my life. Windows(2) dropping down into the door for no reason. Both cupholders that wont work. Whats that about. Trunk release went inop for no reason. AM radio side has a range of about 2.4 miles. Mass air system not being covered by drive train warranty - but on a regular gas engine it was a recall repair. My power went down 50% because of this. $500 to repair. Stupid,stupid, stupid. Makes customer loyalty hard to consider. Other than this, I love the car. Dumb stuff hurts an otherwise nice car.

• 

  Old New Beetle - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By NY VW - August 6 - 4:16 pm

  I just bought an 02 Beetle. It is six years old with 117,000 miles on it. I got it for well under book. It is awesome on gas and so far its a decent car. It is noisy at speed and the cupholders are pretty useless unless you drink small coffees only. Other than that its a cheap ride with a cool feel. Farvegnugen!

• 

  I love my jetta! - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By trevsta18 - August 5 - 11:22 pm

  This is my first VW. I have owned an X5 and two mini coopers. I have had my jetta 2.5 manual for 2 years. I am at 46k and i havent had too many issues other than constantly battling the tire pressure light and regular maintainance. Ive noticed my breaks starting to squeak, the paint on the front bumper began to chip at 10k. I have white with tan interior and i constantly get compliments from co-workers and bosses that ride in it. They are also impressed when i whip it around a corner. I have achieved 43 mpg in my 2.5 SE. Overall i am impressed but small things like the front bumper paint shouldnt chip so easily.

• 

  Time to Update - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By srduncan31 - August 5 - 6:26 pm

  I bought this car in July 2009 and thought I loved it. Now I regret purchasing this car. Has been in the shop multiple times. Was making a noise in the front end. Said it was sway bar bushings. Replaced. Noise still existed. Dealership had no clue. Turns out, was a "secret" recall on coil springs for the first 50000 manufactured. Noise gone but steering doesnt seem the same. Constantly feels as if you are in a wind storm driving over 60. Again dealership has no clue and said is fine. Fuel economy is not the best either. I should have spent the money and gotten the transmission fixed on my Explorer. Doubtful I will keep this car much longer. No longer happy with it and only 3900 miles!