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:

• 

  Whats with all the Noises? - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sunny - June 23 - 9:00 pm

  Overall I love my new Jetta, but have found there are some major problems with noise. First of all the wind noise when you get to 45 mph or over is horrible. Luckily I have the XM radio to drown out the noise but now I am hearing a clicking noise from the dash area? This coupled with the horrible noise at start up has me wishing I had waited another year. People look at me when I start the car up and have said "is something grinding in there?" I am disappointed considering how much I paid for a new car!

• 

  Oil Consumption Issues - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cw - June 23 - 10:00 am

  I loved my Jetta but I it was using up a lot of oil. My dealer told me that new engines use up oil and I needed to check my oil every other time I put gas in my car. I new that this was not right so I kept on them. I had fuel consumption tests and was told it was just fine. However, I ran out of oil less than 3000 miles since my last oil consumption test. VW told me that it is acceptable to burn up to 1 qt of oil per 1000 miles. Since mine was using less they would not fix it. Apparently there have been numerous complaints about this issue and VW will not fix the problem. Beware if you have this car. Watch the oil!

• 

  Solid car - but reliability? - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By niteflite - June 22 - 7:33 am

  The ride has been solid during my 6+ years of ownership. Its not the worlds fastest car, but its good enough. Fuel efficiency should be better on such a small engine and body, but I guess it weighs a lot. The car has been to the dealer a couple of times for recalls. One was a ridiculous one - the faulty brake light switch prevented me from being able to shift into reverse. Now theres a tech service bulletin that is not a recall - I have a check engine light on for some cooling sensor problem that will cost me some $100 to get replaced. Hopefully that will be it. The brakes are screeching like crazy in the back. When I took it into the mechanic they said its fine.

• 

  Great automtive investment - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By QuantumSyncro - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This used car has been fantastic. It gets near 50 mpg and the ride is great. Sound build and rattle free even at this mileage. Would definitely recommend a used VW TDI to anyone who was considering a diesel. These late 90s TDIs are very reliable, even moreso then the 99.5s and priced very reasonably.

• 

  Fantastic car..when its not in the shop - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Still in Texas - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jetta new in the summer of 1997. The engine, transmission, brakes and handling have never let me down. I am absolutely amazed at how well the major components work and how poorly the other components function. Since, Ive owned it, Ive replaced the side molding (twice), the rear tail light, and an interior light. The A/C recirc button malfunctioned, the passenger side locks freeze every winter. Once the passenger side lock actually came out as I pulled the key out of it! Several other little problems as well. This can be a very enjoyable car to drive, just be prepared for all the little repairs that neeed to get done every 6 months..

• 

  1996 was better - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RegLap - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This is my second VW purchase. Nothing but problems with my 2001 VW. My previous purchase was a 1996 VW. Great mileage great handling great repair history...BUT my new 2001 VW UGH!!! ignition coil problems, oxygen sensor fail. map sensor fail, power window stuck open during rainstorm! SAME power window stuck open AGAIN after first repair.Soft brake pads needed replacement after only 19,000 miles .My car has spent more time back at dealer for repair than in my garage

• 

  Watch out ! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By el guapo - June 17 - 10:26 pm

  This vehicle is very problematic. I have spend more in the car than I did in all my old cars put together. The timing belt broke and blew the head, it cost me 2,553.54 dollars. I will never own a volkswagen ever again.

• 

  1st luxury car - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By soccerfreak11 - June 16 - 8:43 pm

  We bought this car with 74,000 miles and have had a few problems. 1) EGR valve. No idea what so ever how to fix it. 2) rear window doesnt work. It is a solid car with good MPG, but could be better. Tons of interior room and trunk space. Love the sunroof. The radio goes into SAFE mode every time the battery is disconnected though. Now it is permanently locked and only the dealer can open it. The exterior design is a definite draw back. Over all, it is a great family car.

• 

  Feels good but not reliable - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By lfouts - June 15 - 4:30 am

  I have 20,000 miles on my 07 Passat 2.0T. Last week it quit operating while on the freeway. Felt like it was out of gas and unresponsive to gas pedal. Had plenty of gas. Coasted to shoulder and it resumed operating. Then there was a loud noise that was not from the engine. Towed it to the dealer. They checked it out and found nothing wrong. It drove perfectly again. The technician gently told me that perhaps I hit the brake and the gas at the same time and the computer, for safety, favored the brake and went into a low power mode. Sounded possible the way tech explained it. I dont trust the car now. Anyone else had this problem?

• 

  Ow, my back... - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bkelly - June 15 - 12:03 am

  2010 Jetta TDI, silver. Car is well- built, handles like nothing else Ive ever driven. Diesel performance is very good - although you have to get used to it. MPG is fantastic - >40 all the time, even in city driving. So, Im selling it. Reason - I find the drivers seat amazingly uncomfortable. At 511", 205 lbs I dont fit into it, the surface is hard, and the seatback specifically resonates with the vibrations in both the engine and rear suspension - all the way up to the headrest. Ive driven trucks and buses for almost 30 years, Ive never been so uncomfortable. I dont know what I was thinking on the test drive. Shame on me...