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:

• 

  1st VW - 1st diesel - 2014 Volkswagen Beetle
  By marltonman - February 1 - 1:36 pm

  I was looking for a 2 door hatchback on Edmonds.com and frankly, didnt know the Beetle was a hatchback. After reading the general reviews I concentrated on the TDI rather than the gas 2.0 Turbo as it requires premium gas. (I have a fairly long commute) I test drove the TDI as was totally impressed with the ride. This car is tight. My biggest concern was how the TDI would handle acceleration onto the interstate and passing at high speed.... Wow! This car can keep up with anything. The fit and finish is excellent and you cant beat the styling. I bought it on the spot. Ive only had it a month but I cant say anything negative about it. Its a kick to drive.

• 

  happy with decision to buy...... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Happy with decision - February 1 - 7:33 am

  I purchased this car only a few months ago, but Im very happy with the decision to buy. I read other reviews about people who had many promblems with their cars, but have to say to those people that all cars will have problems, dont always trust the big dealerships when it comes to repair work, remember they are in it make money. This car is so fun to drive and handles very well, gets great gas mileage, I got over 38 mpg on vaction this year, over 520 miles on a tank of gas:). The sound system is awesome with the CD changer. I had the water pump and timing belt replaced - this is normal for any car with 60,000 miles. My advice, purchase a well maintained Passat and have fun.

• 

  Noises and Rattles - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Stan - January 29 - 8:23 am

  I have had my VW Jetta for three months. It makes a horrible noise when starting (after sitting several hours), dealer says its normal :(... (secondary air pump?). Have also had several dash rattles and speaker noise. Dealer ordered repair kit for speakers, but there is no fix possible for engine noise (sounds like a diesel when first starts). I am a first and probably a last timw VW owner.

• 

  a station wagon this fun? - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By spot - January 27 - 10:00 am

  A solid car with surprising character.Fun to drive and appealing to own.Ive owned much more expensive autos, but this car seems to have more heart.I was even touched when the low fuel light came on a plesant chime sounded and a message said "PLEASE REFUEL".. I cant remember the last time I saw a car ask me nicely?Seriously, I have no regrets and feel very safe inside.

• 

  Good, Solid Fun - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By xbeetle driver - January 26 - 9:43 am

  My 2001 New Beetle has proven to be reliable, stylish, and economical. I get a steady 26 mpg in my dail commute. It cruises easily above legal limits showing it was designed to run German autobahns. Great seats - no bun or back aches after a day of driving. Excellent German engineering at a rock bottom price.

• 

  Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vincent - January 25 - 6:06 pm

  Ive had my Jetta TDI for a year now and have to say that Ive been pleasantly surprised with it. Its gas mileage is great, as expected. I get around 42 mpg around town and just completed a 2,000 mile trek where I got nearly 52 mpg! It is surprisingly fun to drive (and quiet) for a diesel. I love it!

• 

  Love This Car - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jason - January 23 - 8:50 am

  I just bought this car and it has been in the shop a couple times but it has been for small things. I love it, the appearance is awesome and is very fun to drive. I love the VR6 model, if u buy a VW then u have to buy the VR6 or the Turbo version of this, any other model is junk. There are so many performance options to this car but yes parts are expensive. My headlights are fogging up and its 200 bucks a light and for a new key its another 200 so if i were gonna go through a dealership for these thats 600 bucks. But if u look on-line you can find lights dirt cheap. so people bashing this car look for parts on-line, you will save money.

• 

  Great car, hindered by high price and defective cloth on seats - 2011 Volkswagen Golf
  By a_n1 - January 23 - 7:19 am

  I really want to like this car. It has great mpg, seems to perform OK, however whats killing my endorsement is the vehicles seats and fabric. The seats are highly bolstered sport seats, which is fine, but the waffle-like texture of the cloth has proven to be defective. I have severe fraying and premature wear on the side bolster on the drivers seat as well as the seat back. VW is supposedly ordering me new seat covers and will install at the 10k service. Posts all over the Internet indicate that this is a pretty universal problem with all 2010 and 2011 Golfs. This fabric is a nightmare.

• 

  fun, but is it reliable??? - 2001 Volkswagen GTI
  By yesborisgo - January 22 - 2:00 am

  i think for $25,000 thisis the car to get if you looking for somthing good looking inside and out. Lot of fun to drive since you get a lot from it s v6 engine combined with the very luxurious looks inside. Yet its kryptonite is the reliability. Since i bought it i hadit more in service garage than in mine.

• 

  Check Engine Light: bane of my existence - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By frozen01 - January 21 - 9:36 pm

  Ive had so many issues! Its like theyve gone out of their way to make repairs and maintenance as difficult and expensive as possible. The engine leaks oil, a known VW issue. The worst part is the check engine light. In the 3.5 years Ive owned this car, the CE light has been OFF for a total of 2 months. I have taken it to 5 different mechanics, each one plugs it in to the diagnostics computer and either gets NO codes or codes that make no sense. All they can do is turn it off, but it just comes back on. No one can fix it, no one can even find a cause, but the car cant pass an emissions test, and so now I cant legally drive it. $12K wasted!