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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  Electrical Problems - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Carolyn - February 23 - 3:50 pm

  This is my first Jetta and I was so excited with the new body style and the 2.5. Its a great car for driving and it handles excellent on the highway and fuel mileage is 24. in the city. But then electrical problems began with Check engine, coolant, temp gauge, radiator fan wiring harness all replaced within the first 6 months. Now again, electrical problems, drivers door power window wiring harness replaced then the air bag wiring harness will be replaced next week. Im thinking FORD right about now. I loved my VW but the problems are not worth the name of Jetta.

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  2011 Jetta SE 2.5L Manual - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bob449 - February 22 - 12:13 am

  Purchased a 2011 Jetta SE with the 2.5L gas engine and manual transmission. Great car. Have about 9K miles on it and no problems at all so far. Engine is smooth due to the inline 5 cylinder design with great fuel economy...can get about 500 miles per 14.5 gallons on the highway (about 36-37 mpg) but much less on mixed and city driving (20-25 mpg). Good handling and suspension. Overall ride feels very well designed from both a powertrain and suspension/handling perspective. Roomy interior and large trunk space. Great location of interior convenience features (cupholders and storage). With the a/c on, the performance takes a huge hit and mileage suffers quite a bit, but to be expected.

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  No more VW ANYTHING! for me!! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Peppi - February 21 - 10:48 pm

  I dig my car a lot! I have had my car for about 11 years now and I never used to have ANY issues with my car. However, this will be THE LAST! Volkswagen vehicle of ANY kind for me! They used to make Beetles to where they lasted for decades, but not really anymore. I know that vehicles are machines; therefore, they are going to have some issues, but come on!! One thing after another!! When one thing breaks- here breaks something else. The air bag light came on allegedly having to do with a code, but then I needed a newer battery that I had just bought not even quite 4 years prior! I was told that little things like the air bag will come on so it will bother you to take it do the dealership to get it repaired- they will find something the matter. After so many miles that you drive, little things like the light to something will appear among other things, too. I have also learned that when you buy a vehicle, make sure that you will be able to afford the parts- VW parts are WAAAAAAY to expensive! The car is expensive enough! When I see people driving down the road with a new Beetle, I think to myself that they have no idea what they have just gotten themselves into. The interior can be of better quality and material given fact that the car is very expensive. I have also learned that if you buy a Beetle convertible, keep in mind that the convertible top may be of very poor and of cheap quality; you will most likely need to replace the convertible top eventually and they are NOT cheap. I am done- NO more for me!

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  Think Again - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By JOYCE. - February 21 - 4:13 pm

  The first problem I had with this car before I drove it off the lot was the electric parking brake was stuck and I could not get it out of Park. Now at 23000 miles later, it is recurring. Also car idles loud like it was a diesel. They said it was the oil pump and replaced it. I’m wondering now if my car had proper lubrication. From time to time when turning my signals off, the opposite side goes on (confusing for the person behind me). Also the light came on the dash saying tires were low so I put the proper air required but the light would not go off. I found out the spare tire in the trunk was setting the low tire pressure signal off. Now go figure! Besides that ride is smooth, gas is ok.

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  air bag problem - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bc - February 19 - 5:20 am

  I have had the car for 2 yrs. And I have already had to replace the clock spring in the steering wheel. The rear pads wear out so fast do to to abs and electronic stability control. It controls the the car by applying the rear brakes

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  A Bit Disappointed... - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ann - February 19 - 4:50 am

  Driving mostly highways I love the power and acceleration this car puts out. I have noticed it has a fairly large blind spot and shoulder checking needs to be done repeatedly and carefully. Due to the many miles behind the wheel I purchased the loaded model with the luxury package including leather and sunroof which are well worth the extra cost. The trunk is huge and the drop down back seat easily accommodates my outdoor gear such as skis.

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  Overall Good Car - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dale - February 17 - 6:36 pm

  My 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T runs very well and the overall quality is good. I expected a little higher quality than the car actually has, however I think it still beats any other car Japanese or American in its class. The only real problem I have with it is the trunk. It is very cumbersome to open and close. The dealer said that this problem cannot be fixed. This is almost inexcuseable because Ive seen the $12K Ford Contour that operates easier with or without the remote control. Overall Im pleased with the purchase.

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  VW Loads it up - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By sid - February 16 - 8:16 pm

  Just want to say that I enjoy every little bit of this car. I got a good deal on it ($26,000) for a SE with Rear Entertainment for the kids. Doesnt have stow n go but has storage inside the floor(love it). Brand new is $31000, drives awesome and much more comfy than Sienna or Odyssey more stiffer then Sienna though but i like it myself. Check it out though1. Drives good 2VW warranty and care free maintenance + rear entertainment + XM radio sun roof can you get that with Toyota or Honda? They just marketed better and have been around longer.

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  Business-like - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rpauls - February 15 - 7:44 pm

  I bought my 2013 Jetta 2.5 SE with 4,000 miles on it four months ago and it now has 15,000 miles. I work as an outside salesperson and was looking for a car that would get great gas mileage and still have some style. I did not have a Jetta in mind, but the mileage and price were both right, so I test drove it and to my surprise liked it a lot despite it being fairly vanilla on the style front. After four months, this car represents who I am very well, a business man. The looks are nice and clean. Not too boring, but not extroverted. The ride is generally compliant, quite nice on the interstate but very firm on rough pavement. Impressed with the highway mileage which has been 37 mpg.

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  Big Disappointment - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Liz - February 15 - 12:13 pm

  I waited 7 years and finally got a Passat (after a Honda, Camry and Mercedes). I take care of it but have spent way too much time in the dealership for annoying warnings that turn out unfounded, fixing peeling radio buttons and armrests, or an airbag fault. In 2.5 years, Ive probably made 15 trips there - 25 miles away and time off work. I expected reliability; instead the battery just died without cause, and the "tire pressure too low" alert came on for the 14th time although the tires are fine. The dealership stopped asking my opinion for their surveys in the waiting room. Maybe I got a lemon, but VWs are history for me.