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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  DO NOT BUY ANY VW - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Another Unhappy - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this car. Performance problems, it drives very rough, a host of rattles, driver seat that makes a popping noise, stearing wheel sqweeks. To make matters worse, the vehical has been in the shop six times in less than a year of ownership. The customer service by two VW dealers and VW of America corporate has been very poor. The cars value has depreciated over $10,000 in less than a year. The list goes on...

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  It is my 3-d vw , so - do not buy VW - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 3vw - January 10 - 10:00 am

  It is my 3-d VW. It means I like VW style and I loved their quality. Not any more. The quality became worst and service is a nightmare. I had an experience with 4 dealerships in CT. The same problem with service and the worst part is when I call VW of Noth America for help - they told me that they cannot help me and they have NO CONTROL of their dealers at all! Result of tryin to have a service at Valenti Motors, CT : in a two weeks small problem with my radio was not fixed plus complete disrespect of my personal time and VW image.

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  DO NOT PURCHASE THIS CAR - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By xoirishlollyxo - January 6 - 11:00 pm

  Since purchasing this car three years ago I have had nothing but problems. I had to replace the clutch @ 110k, the automatic locks stopped working and worst of all-it started to flood and no one can figure where out its coming from! So poorly designed they have the comfort control module under the drivers feet, obviously where water can get into if the car is leaking. Water has gotten into the comfort control and has effected the entire performance of the car and it stopped starting. I had to pay $2k to have the module completely redone and found out the passats have a problem with leaking through the sunroof! These repairs should have been covered as it is obviously a manufacture defect!

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  Disapointed in Volkswagen as a first time customer - 2016 Volkswagen Passat
  By Patrick Hay - December 31 - 3:08 pm

  I purchase a 2016 R-Line Passat within the first week was back for alignment and not 4 weeks after owning found spots on hood and the dealer wants to keep a 4 week old car for a week and a half to repaint the hood. The biggest disappointment is the misleading pricing by VW and complete lack or support and knowledge of the car wanted to have Remote Start installed relatively common and listed as option on VW sit for $246 MSRPP. Dealer wanted to charge $1200 saying multiple parts needed to be replaced. I found VW published document that stated that was not needed the document was attained from a VW site and was copyright protected by VW. VW denied that it was their document and incorrect. After a month trying to track this down Dealer finally admitted the VON check was coming up incorrect in the system not reflecting the lighting package. Now the car has been at the dealer for 2 days they cant get the remote starter installed and now need to get a part that is going to have to come from Germany and take 15 days to arrive. I have Contacted customer care and have been told for week they will get back to me next business day and they have not provided anything of substance. Terrible experience as first time VW customer the support is horrible!

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  Don’t buy Atlas - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By Bruce - November 28 - 1:39 am

  I bought Atlas from Leith In Raleigh in NC. 2018 SE 4motion R-Line. In two weeks the fuel pump broke and engine light and EPC lights turned on. I lost engin power. I called road assistance no body showed up after 2 hours!!! I went to service center they didn’t have parts. I drove my car 900 miles and it’s unbelievable that I have so many issues with this car. I call my dealership to complain but I was told you bought it you own it!!! Just forget about VW Atlas otherwise you will regret like me.

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  the modern Yugo - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jantar - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I dont know VW can get away with selling this piece of junk to people and still laugh in people faces when they turn to them for help. Sad part is that there are still new people buying this junk...Numerous problems with mine: windows, check engine light seems to live its own life, engine stalling, finally pieces falling off. Worst car Ive ever owned.

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  jetta review - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By disappointed!!! - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is horrible. Windows rattle over rough surfaces and suspension makes chirping sounds. Car will not come out of park from a cold start. Additionally a spring off of passanger seat fell off in the first 5 months of ownership. Drivers side seat bladders make popping noises. Also you have to manually turn gear mechanism to make seats recline. I used to drive a Honda and Im trading this VW in for one again.

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  Brand New Car- Towed to Dealer After 1 Day - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By stranded2015 - September 28 - 10:41 am

  I have owned this car for 36 hours and have spent several of those hours dealing with VW customer service. They were most unhelpful. The car has a host of issues and had to get towed to the dealer. It appears to have a starter or ignition problem, a blown speaker, and a faulty door hinge. VW has clearly not resolved their quality control issues. Stay far away from VW products.

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  Absolutely not! - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SMO - September 14 - 1:00 pm

  So I bought my nice 1998 jetta in 2008 for a graduation present to myself. Granted the car was 10 years old and I did get it for a deal (sort of)...IT stinks! so far since Ive had it (less than a year) Ive had to replace the wheel bearings 3 separate times because theyve broken while I was driving and Ive also done the breaks and rotors twice. On top of that I had to replace the exhaust, all the window motors are messed up, my automatic door locks dont work, the window cable broke, my 02 sensor failed, my cruise control doesnt work, the wiring causes shorts in the lighting and sensors, and my side panels had to be reglued in place. All of this at 120,000 miles? I miss my dodge stratus!

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  heap of rubbish - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By stav39 - September 2 - 2:04 pm

  This car just breaks down at every opportunity it spent more time in the workshop than on the road. Everything gone wrong electrical engine gearbox interior wheels etc etc