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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  Mixed Emotions - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By josiekat - November 26 - 3:06 pm

  Ive had this car in my possesion for 13 days, the dealership has had it the rest. There is a problem with one day time running light staying on after the car is turned off and the key is removed. Ive had some funky stuff happen with the dash warning lights coming on and "nothing is wrong" So far, the Jetta had been a very bad experience.

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  HATE IT - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By cassie1988 - November 25 - 11:16 am

  I totally agree! I just got the car fixed and got it back two days ago and it already has a new set of problems. I have never had a car with so many problems or heard of any one having a car with so many problems. First chance i get im trading in this car and will NEVER EVER buy another VW again..not worth the time, stress or money! Anyone whos thinking about buying one...DONT!

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  AWESOME - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By khuckabee - November 24 - 8:03 am

  We have been looking at these cars for quite some time. I recently bought an 09 with low miles. The car lot gave me the story that some little old lady drove the car and just traded it in on a new one. I believe they tell that story to all buyers. I found an old insurance card in the car and found a number for the name on the card. When I called, it was an old lady and she was very nice. She loved the car and the only reason to get rid of it was she traded in on a brand new one that was the exact same model and color. She said no problems with leaks or oil and it was very dependable. I bought the car for my 17 year old daughter and I really like it.

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  Not too many bugs in this bug - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By phoebelyn - November 23 - 3:13 pm

  Overall a good car. Have had 2 occasions that it needed towing - mostly electrical problems. Handles well in rain and snow (Buffalo type!).

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  Pretty Good Car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By lipstik - November 21 - 2:00 am

  I have had my car for @ 4 mos. & although the car looks good and is fun to drive i have already had to take it to the dealership twice for repairs. Both complaints have been due to car not wanting to start & then when it decides to start black smoke comes out of the tailpipes & it sounds like it is putting. Sometimes, at a stop, the car just dies. The dealership said they couldnt find a prob? Makes me very suspicious. Since the last visit to the dealership, the car has been ok.

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  Love and Hate Relationship - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By tmf12192 - November 20 - 11:28 am

  I loved my Passat, but hated when it went in for service. I work at a VW dealer so Im thankful for an employee discount otherwise Id had to get rid of this car long ago. It didnt matter if it came down to something as little as an oil change there was always something wrong. I owned my car 3.5 years and through 4 PA state inspections and it didnt pass any of them on the first try. I bought the car with 70k and trading it in on Tuesday with 115k on the odometer. Currently no check engine light, but to pass emissions it needs an O2 sensor and possible vacuum pump. After 3.5 years and almost 6k spent on service Ive had enough. I loved the look and feel of the car just not the upkeep.

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  TDI - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Hunter - November 20 - 8:46 am

  Bought solely for the TDI and it has been flawless. However maint issues, susp noise, glove box latch (4th Ive seen), rear window leaks when lifted up via the wiper mount. Overall has been a good car, sat, CD, seats, and we love the sunroof. Mileage, best has been 42 hwy wo ac, 39 with, hoping for better, but it only has 9k miles. Free maint is good, but should cover more. Had to shop for a fair price so be careful, some dealers will bend you over the table. I would suggest highly an extended warranty, not feeling to safe. Sold my 08 TL Type S due to gas mpg and job change and wish I still had it due to the maint issues already on the VW.

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  Extensive repair time - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By charles gill - November 18 - 9:36 am

  I have had two instances of extended repair time due to lack of parts. The first, two weeks, was due to an air bag fault. Parts were not available. Six months later, another airbag fault, plus repeated fault warnings of various kinds, which disappeared after a short time. It was determined a new alternator was needed, Lowering the engine 6 inches was required to replace the alternator (2 day project). This did not fix the voltage problem and cables needed replacing. The cable need to be manufactured. I lost use of the car for over three weeks. I guess the cost of loaner vehicles is less than the cost of stocking parts. The low voltage, cable situation created the fault alerts.

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  Turbo Diesel has been great - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Al - November 17 - 5:13 pm

  Ive now had my turbo diesel bug for 3 years. Great commuter car. Very roomy 4 a small car. Lots of headroom. The gas mileage is outstanding (40 -45 MPG) and the car is fun to drive. Downside is key system is expensive to replace, & the engine immobilizer is tied to the battery, which has left me stranded when I replaced the battery earlier this year w/o knowing the secret of doing it. The reliance on electronics has been a minor annoyance, with the entire dash going out (under warranty) once.If you are looking for a fun car to commute with, this is probably it. No repairs needed on it between 16k & 50k. Dont buy it for short trip use. Needs 5 miles to warm up. I commute 15 miles each way.

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  Not quite as bulletproof as promised - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By dusty_d - November 16 - 10:00 am

  he Brazilian Golf seems a little more fragile than its German bretheren. Sure the plastics are still top notch, the interior well designed and the shut line laser tight but there are hust a few too many problems. Windshield wipers that snapped in the first half mile, a dashboard that worked loose by 2000 miles, a passenger airbag that failed and had to be replaced at 5,000 and some very fragile wheel hubs and you see why my confidence has been a little shaken.