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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  Still good - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shop - October 15 - 11:48 pm

  I have had my jetta for 3.5 years now and it is at 39k miles. I bought it used. I got the extended warranty on it thank GOD because the other day I had a/c problems. The compressor and air pump went out it would have been a 3100 fix I paid $100 deductible and it was like new. It rides pretty good. I like the leatherette seats I dont like the exterior paint as I like pearlized paint better as this is easy to scratch!!! I dont like no automatic headlights shutoff. That is like so 10 years ago... and no sunroof.

• 

  Still good - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shop - October 15 - 11:48 pm

  I have had my jetta for 3.5 years now and it is at 39k miles. I bought it used. I got the extended warranty on it thank GOD because the other day I had a/c problems. The compressor and air pump went out it would have been a 3100 fix I paid $100 deductible and it was like new. It rides pretty good. I like the leatherette seats I dont like the exterior paint as I like pearlized paint better as this is easy to scratch!!! I dont like no automatic headlights shutoff. That is like so 10 years ago... and no sunroof.

• 

  Still good - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shop - October 15 - 11:48 pm

  I have had my jetta for 3.5 years now and it is at 39k miles. I bought it used. I got the extended warranty on it thank GOD because the other day I had a/c problems. The compressor and air pump went out it would have been a 3100 fix I paid $100 deductible and it was like new. It rides pretty good. I like the leatherette seats I dont like the exterior paint as I like pearlized paint better as this is easy to scratch!!! I dont like no automatic headlights shutoff. That is like so 10 years ago... and no sunroof.

• 

  Reliable and still love it - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ADub - October 12 - 4:50 pm

  Purchased this car new in summer 2003 with the intention to keep it a very long time. Now has 105k miles. Stayed on top of recommended maintenance and have only had to replace a glow plug at a dealer for $130 and a sensor, possibly for water temp, for $140 at a trusted auto shop. Thats it! I recommend finding a shop with a former VW tech or someone with TDI knowledge for maintenance and repairs. Mileage is still outstanding at around 50 mpg highway and 44 city.

• 

  compared to 05 TDI - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Larry K - October 12 - 2:03 pm

  I have only driven 200 miles in the new TDI clean, but I already know I would rather have the leather seat package I had on the 05. The car is my office, and this one is not as comfortable as the 05. I am an outside sales rep, and I drive A LOT. The "clean" is fun to drive, the sound system is better, it has more features in the dash, which I like. So far I have used 1/4 tank of fuel according to the gage, we shall see how that continues to play out. Overall, I really like the "clean". I do have more space to carry my sales bags and samples, and there is more power to carry it all.

• 

  So far, so good - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mary Anne - October 11 - 6:53 pm

  This little guy keeps on going. I love the styling, comfort(with a "c" not a "k"), gas mileage, interior room. I looked at a BMW before I purchased this and it definitely had more bells and whistles. I LOVE the heated seats. The ride is comfortable. It has its issues, but they have been covered under the warranty. Fun to drive!

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  More Car for Your Money! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Mauri Trevino - October 11 - 1:46 pm

  Civic? Mazda3? Rabbit? I too looked at each, but in the end the Rabbit was simply better. Feel the solid laser-welded construction of the Rabbit over a rough road. No goofy-fad interior either, clean, functional design with everything in clear view and reach. The most underrated: the engine. Some say 2.5L should have more horsepower, but then they havent felt the Rabbits torque. It pulls strong without winding revs. The 2.5L engine allows torque on tap and makes the driving experience something the others cant touch. Who wants to rev to 7,000 every time you want to pass? Not the people driving Rabbits! Oh, about the weight, yes its a little high but check out the crash test ratings. More metal is safer!

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  Car feels slippy... - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By RKaye422 - October 10 - 6:10 pm

  Im getting GREAT mileage on my Tiguan, more so than some of the other readers. HOWEVER, they seem to be enjoying the ride alot more than I am. This is my 2nd VW, after owning a Passat for 6 years and Im actually pretty disappointed. Ive been driving for 20 years, everything from a 66 Mustang to a Dodge Ram, and I feel like this car is going to go off the side of the road all the time. It grabs every nick in the road, it feels like driving on an ice slick over our grooved highways in Vegas, and driving it in the rain at high speeds is a white-knuckle occasion for me. Is anyone else at all having these problems? Ive taken it to the dealer once already and they said this is normal???!!

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  Needed help... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By ezra - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Now that this well built but bland wagon has been retired, (17" Yokos) lowered (Eibach) and tuned (BMC, Wittenhauer) it is a well made, comfortable, practical and fun sports wagon.

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  Quality a problem - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By belliott77 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my GTI new just over a year ago and was extremely happy with it for about 3 months and then I started getting rattles in the dash that the dealer has been unable to get fix, their attitude is, what did you expect... and now I am getting more rattles in the door panels. The quality just isnt what it should be. This is my 5th VW, but unfortunately it will be my last.