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:

• 

  Exceeds My Expectations - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mac - November 4 - 6:56 am

  Heard about transmission and brake issues from prior Passat owners but took a chance because I liked the cars design and the way it handled. Have put 60K miles on car in 3.5 years with three minor trips to the dealer, one to replace a rear upper trunk lock mechanism, one to install a temperature sensor and front brake pads, and one to install new spark plugs at 40K due to misfires on plugs 2 and 6. Not a problem since. Replaced tires at 35K also. Didnt care for the original Continental tires. Also, dealer experience was very positive. Keep waiting for the problems to show but so far, it runs great every day 25 miles to and from work.

• 

  Jetta 1999 VR6 GLS - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve@USA - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I loved the car when I purchesed it, but this changed as problems arose. High maintenance and a lot of problems. Replaced several seals and gaskets, a/c, transmission, catalytic converter. The car only has 61,000 miles. Costly to repair because only dealership mechanics can practically fix these cars.

• 

  New to VW and hooked - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Patrick Jamet - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my jetta and so far there is nothing to complain about. the 1.8T engine is incredible. the build quality is great. I looked at hondas and toyotas while shopping for my new car and VWs interior design and solid feel sold me.You must take a good look at a jetta if you are in the market for a small sedan

• 

  Exploding Windows - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gretche - November 4 - 12:20 am

  We have enjoyed driving our New Beetle, we have been VW owners since the late 50s and our daughter still has her first car, 1971 Beetle Convertible. We will be forced to get rid of our car because the window on the drivers door has exploded twice. Our car is almost out of warantee and VW has told us that if the window explodes again, it will be our expense. We feel this is a danger but there has been no recall or service notes on it. VW of Americas answer to us is, "we are very sorry." We feel we will have to get rid of the car before one of us loses an eye. Our dealership has admitted to having several cars with similar problems, sometimes it is the passenger door.

• 

  2000 GTI VR6 - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By sgooch70 - November 3 - 8:23 pm

  This is a great car to drive, the VR6 is a excellent. The backseats are almost worthless though. I have kids, so I am getting a larger car, however I am going to keep the GTI. I am going to keep it because when the back seats are folded down you would not believe the utility it has. I have used it to haul 6 full sized railroad ties, 1/2 a pallet of landscaping bricks (a 3/4 ton truck can only carry 1 full pallet), 4x8 peg boards, and I have two 80 lb. Labrador Retrieves - both can sleep comfortably in the back. I bought it with 60,000 miles, and I have put about $2,000 into it, and the used VW warranty has covered about $3,000 in repairs. The car has been solid since 80,000 miles. I have 91,000 on it now.

• 

  2009 Jetta SEL - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hegemon - November 3 - 8:06 pm

  Fantastic Car. Super fun to drive. Reliable so far...

• 

  My car. - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By yarik - November 2 - 10:00 am

  Im 64 tall and this car is perfect for person of my height or even taller. Next time I might go for stranger engine V-6 or W-8, but otherwise no complaints.

• 

  An Excellent Value & Fun to Drive - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Donn - October 28 - 10:00 am

  (1) It delivers 273 ft.lbs. of screaming torque at only 2,750 RPM, so the full power is available right away. It handles in a sporty, solid way, providing good road feel and just enough cushioning on rough patches. (2) See my suggestions below regarding the interior. In addition, as VW doesnt offer a navigation system (a must for me) and the Monsoon stereo system is just okay, the dealer was willing to, and did, have a first-rate combined DVD-based Kenwood navigation- stereo system installed at my request by an aftermarket dealer for cost -- $4,000. I also opted for trunk-mounted VWs 6-CD changer. (3) Total price: $40,000 + taxes/tags.

• 

  What a family car should be - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By jku72 - October 27 - 8:33 pm

  Weve had our wagon for 1.5 years, and have logged 47K miles, in harsh Maine environments of rough gravel roads, very rough paved roads, salty winter roads, ice, mud, and one cross country and back trip. Excellent in snow, havent crashed it yet. Ive driven it through 12" of snow, plowing a path. The heavy diesel right over the wheels makes it better than a 4x4 on ice, with proper tires. Loaded w/family & gear, at 80, mileage is 38. 70 its 46. 65 its 49. 55 its 51. Everyone likes to drive, or ride in this car. Nothing on the market compares. Buy one.

• 

  What will fail next? - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By FoolMeOnce - October 26 - 3:43 pm

  How many electrical problems can one car have? My Passats history: tail light stuck on, trunk light out, headlight out (times 2), heated seat burned hole through fabric, visor light out (times 2), remote key failure, speaker failure, brake lights nonfunctional, CD player frozen. And one non-electrical problem, a broken glove box latch. All this with only 38,000 miles on the odometer. All items were covered by warranty, but the hassle factor outweighs the fun of driving this car. Nearly every VW owner I talk with has had similar problems. What will fail next? Rather than paying to extend the warranty, I am trading in this lemon for a Honda.