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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  Love My Touareg - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Patty - November 16 - 2:36 am

  All of my oil changes were done by the dealer & only cost $108. This car just spared me and my husband from more series injuries following a near head on crash. Other driver crossed center line. My husband swerved to the right to try & avoid the other car, but the driver still hit us / almost a T-Bone then slide the entire length down our car. Drivers side airbags deployed and spared my 67" husband from serious injury to his head & face. He still suffered 3 broke ribs though.We love our car.

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  Achilles heel: Navigation System - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By pnwsteve - November 15 - 8:35 pm

  Overall good results, but the one exception is so frustrating and "in your face" that I would not buy this vehicle again. Its the Navigation/ Bluetooth/ Stereo/ Backup Camera combo. The system is super slow and locked up for me four times. Music keeps playing, but nothing else works. Volume is stuck, navigation may or may not continue. Once the unit rebooted by itself after about 20 minutes, the other times I had to stop and shut the car off for 5-10 minutes. Onscreen button are slow to respond and sometimes dont respond at all. Entering an address while on the go is not practical. Valid, well-established addresses often dont work (~30% of use).

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  Great so far - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kristin124 - November 14 - 7:15 pm

  Ive only had my 2013 Jetta SEL for two months, but its been pretty great so far. I like that its got a sporty look inside and out, and I like the leather interior. The acceleration is pretty good for 170HP and the ride is smooth overall. My main complaints are some cheap aspects of the interior - for the price I paid and having the premium trim line, I cant believe it doesnt have power seat adjustment. Also, to tilt the chair back, you have to pump this plastic pedal up and down (tacky). Also, even when you move the front seats all the way back, there isnt enough leg room for tall people over 6 feet. Not much head room for tall people either. Could have designed that better!

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  Poor choice - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By dbasler - November 14 - 5:44 am

  I realize we made a bad decision buying this car without having our mechanic look at it. We bought it with 135,000 miles and drove it for a year. It chugged oil with no visible leaks. In the 12 months we replaced the key/ignition $300, both headlights $20 each, transmission $2200, wheel bearing $300, tires $1000, 1 of the alignment control bars $150, dipstick tube $45, and AC compressor $900. It failed emissions after all this and then a lady ran a red light and totalled it for us. Thank you lady. Put the thing out of its misery.

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  Mixed Bag - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By TurboS04 - November 14 - 5:20 am

  This car is used for work purposes, and is covered in advertising. While I was nervous to purchase based on review it has turned out to be an okay car. Ive had issues with airbag and check engine lights but there is a ton of information on the internet to help out with those issues. The car is fast and fun to drive, and has a lot of nice features for the cost. Luckily, knock on wood, my issues have been small and hoping for a few more years of reliability.

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  WATCH THE GAS GUAGE GO DOWN AS YOU DRIVE - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By bobseelos - November 11 - 8:48 pm

  Bought this 4 Motion CC as a model left over after the 2010s had come out on a $499 per month 36 mointh lease, 12000 miles per year. the big negative issue i have with htis vehicle is the gas mileage. Averages about 20 miles per gallon. Car has lots of pickup and is usually driven about 80 on the freeways so I guess this is the reason for the poor gas mileage.

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  Easy to Drive - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jordanv2323 - November 11 - 2:06 am

  Probably the eaisest car to drive. It is great for its day!!

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  2008 S Model Jetta - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jetta - November 8 - 12:46 am

  This car rides quietly and has some pick-up, however, I feel it gets below average gas mileage that is one of my biggest complaints. I can go about 320 miles before I have to refill the tank. I drive a lot of highway miles and they advertise that the car gets 28 or 29 mpg highway, however, that is not the case. The air conditioning works pretty well and I like the ipod adapter in the car. I have a sunroof on my car but noticed that when its open and I drive there is a considerable amount of air noise, its kind of annoying. I love the amount of trunk space in the car - very roomy! Also it can comfortably fit 4 adults in the car. I believe there is even 3 seat belts in the back.

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  Torn to love... - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JETTA01 - November 7 - 7:36 pm

  I "WANT" to love this car. Its been tough though. I test-drive other cars and nothing is better then my Jetta. Yet, I dont trust it. I am disappointed in the electrical problems, yet love when it runs right.

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  Gas Leak...Anybody - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Gina - November 4 - 11:36 pm

  I just bought the 2dr manual, sage green Rabbit. I absolutely loved it until yesterday when suddenly the car left me in the middle of an intersection and gas started leaking from underneath the passengers seat. I have 788 miles on the car. So much for German quality control? Anybody out there has experienced the same thing?