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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  So Many Problems!!!! - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By cap723 - January 12 - 10:56 pm

  I am just ending my 4 year lease and I have had so many issues with this car that have added up. Although the look of the car is very nice and its fun to drive and I never had any major mechanical problems - I still had issue after issue with this car. A few weeks after I drove it off the lot the guage that showed how much gas I had in my tank was broken. I had to take it back twice for them to fix it. Since then my radio just goes off when it wants, the back-up camera stopped working, I had to get new tires and breaks, there is a horrible moisture problem and it always smells like mold, the AC doesnt come out cold .it goes on!I would stay away from this car ulnless you want a heacache

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  What else could go wrong? - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By S - January 10 - 1:53 am

  I dont even know where to begin. The first year I got the car I had transmission problems. That same year my check engine light came on and I have taken it to the dealer so many times for that problem only for them to tell me one lie after another. Everytime I took it in I payed for them to fix something else. Since then my check engine light is has stayed on for most of the time and I just ignore it. My windows go up when I press down and vice versa. Most recently my car is having trouble starting. Not worth the trouble.

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  Piece of CRAP car - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By lesbeck - January 7 - 5:27 am

  I would not recommend this car to anyone who is not a millionaire with money to burn and likes to have their car in the shop at least once a month. We bought this car brand new, zero miles on it and had to bring it into the shop within the first month. It was all downhill from there. Every mechanical piece on the car was replaced under warranty (which we extended to five years immediately) except for the motor, which I am sure would run forever while all the other peices of the car fall off all over the road. Sadly, I had to buy a back-up car so I had something reliable to go to work in and had to carry a battery for the key in my purse, because you never knew when the car would not unlock.

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  OK CAR - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Miguel - December 31 - 10:00 am

  i bought this car with 89000 miles on it,really qood conditionn. This car is really qood as lonq as you have enough money to support it. The pieces for this car can leave you broke. But other than that.its a wonderful car to have. I recommend only if you have money to invest, but for those with first cars,or no money should look for something much more simpler.

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  Passat Issues Since Purchase - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Greg - December 30 - 2:16 pm

  After 16,500 miles, I sold my Passat due to the on-going quality and reliability since buying the car 22 months ago. The car has spent overt six weeks in the dealership primarily for a new transmission, new exhaust system and new fuel system. I reached a point with the car that I was afraid to go over normal road bumps. VW did supply me with rental cars. Overall, I would not recommend buying VW. Just too many issues with the quality and reliability. Please do additional research if you are going to buy a VW. Ask mechanics and rental car agencies about their experience with VWs. If you buy one, you should get to know the service manager.

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  Volkswagen r no more - 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kk - December 30 - 3:08 am

  Vw has lost it ability to build good vehicles and no longer values it long standing customers. So disappointing

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  I will NEVER buy a VW again - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TK1 - December 26 - 10:00 am

  From day one, this car has been nothing but trouble. I fell in love with the looks (exterior/interior), but failed to research warranty and reliability. Things that happened: Exterior paint has come off in some places, had to have emergency brake cable replaced, had to have spark plug re-wiring done, had to get starter replaced (engine died), and had to have muffler replaced all under 50,000 miles. Tires didnt last long, and neither did the brake pads. Repairs have cost me $2,500 plus and dealers were not helpful. Buyer Beware...I think Ill go back to Toyotas which never gave me trouble. The new Camry we have is GREAT!

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  Fahrvergnügen in a Lemon!? - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By acarr - December 25 - 2:00 am

  After a great sales experience, my Jetta promptly started to fall apart. With only 675 miles on the car, the gas door release button fell into the door panel and the gas sensor was bad. I took it into the dealer, with it only to happen again 3 days after picking it back up with 1218 miles. Not only could I not put gas in the car (there is no manual release), I didnt know how much gas I had left! VW Cust. Service called the service dealership to where I was to be towed and they could not see me for TWO DAYS! I was stuck! Now, with only 1920 miles, the malfunction light on the dash is on signifying an engine fault. Three separate defects in under 2000 miles? Is this acceptable to VW?

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  DSG = Terrible Transmission - 2011 Volkswagen CC
  By cnote3 - December 19 - 5:23 am

  The DSG transmission does this car a complete injustice. There is a significant hesitation from a stop, and the shifts are jerky and unpleasant. VW couples this half-engineered transmission with an engine that has significant turbo lag - turning every city trip into a manic journey along the torque curve. Everything settles down once you get the car up to speed, making the CC an enjoyable highway car. The exterior and interior styling is fantastic, but the transmission will be a disappointment to anyone who has ever driven a well built, thoughtfully engineered car or truck from a reputable manufacturer.

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  Still W8ing - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Gille1 - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the car as my 7th Passat and 20th VW and was looking forward to a fast and sporty ride. The car is neither. Acceeleration lag from stand still is down right dangerous and then you jump like a frog! Gas mileage is horrendous ( 12 miles in City?). Back brakes warped & replaced at 20K. Tried to sell and realized one dealer offered all remaining 2003 W8s at $8K disocunt! W8ing for a better Audi or Lexus.