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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  Overall Problems - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By coder157 - September 23 - 5:30 am

  Ive never owned a vehicle that has had this many recalls. Between the electrical heaters in the seats, the fuel system and now the right rear wheelhouse liner/shield. This is my second Passat, I never thought I would buy another car until this one. The quality put into VW Passats has really gone downhill.

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  dont buy! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By germancarlife - September 19 - 8:12 am

  I bought this car in 2011 with 56,000 miles on it and its been nothing but trouble. first the engine temp sensor went out ($400), next was the entire transmission at 65k miles ($4000) and then never ending issues with the electronics and engine internals. I change my oil every 3500 miles and drive 13 miles a day on the highway very gently so idk why this car is so bad. My wife has an 02 325i with 213k miles on it and its never given 1/15 of the problems the jetta vr6 has and she and I both drive that car very abusively to be honest, just regular oil changes, brakes and tires.

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  Irritating Vibration - 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By albedo - September 14 - 4:06 pm

  Prospective Tiguan buyers should use caution. Its sexy and fun to drive in many respects, but the transmission software is horrid and causes the engine to lug and emit an irritating, low frequency vibration noise. Its benign enough during the test drive, but 6 months later and I was pulling my hair out. VW refuses to admit its a problem. Why? VW has been losing the fuel mileage battle and the best they can offer is to program the transmission to run at the lowest possible RPMs. My car is a 2013, but the same issues continue in later models. Customer feedback to VW has been largely ignored. They seem to be more interested in attracting new buyers than making existing customers happy.

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  Transmission Nightmare! - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By R Ives - August 26 - 9:56 pm

  I loved this car when I first purchased it. At about 500 miles, the transmission started to buck and loose power accelerating into traffic. Dealer could not find the problem. The problems started getting worse until it was jerking an shaking when backing or proceeding slowly. After numerous complaints they finally replaced the Mechtronic unit. That fixed it for about another 100 miles. Now its starting all over again. Ive had 3 situations where the car lost transmission power while proceeding into traffic. I wouldnt recommend the automatic to anyone.

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  Wish I could get rid of this POC - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Unhappy Jetta Owner - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Various problems...last of which was a crack in the engine block, which renders car undriveable until entire engine replaced...cost for this would be $2500 (for a USED ENGINE); $7100 new. Car is not even worth that. -fuel nozzle flap retainer falling into the fuel filler neck a few weeks after buying the car. Fuel tank replaced. -CEL (Check engine light) started coming on (on and off). Dealer said that they did not put the fuel tank on correctly. Fuel tank replaced again. -Rear breaks wore out very early. Same with tires. CEL comes on AGAIN. This time, they replaced the Mass Air Flow sensor.

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  STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By fsparks1985 - August 7 - 2:42 pm

  I have had my 02 Jetta for almost a year now, and its given me nothing but trouble. I went from driving a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer to the Jetta to try and save on gas, BIG mistake. This Jetta has been back to the deal for repairs at least 8 times in last than a year. All before the car turned 100K the Clutch went out, fuel relays, oil seals, timing belt, to just to name a few issues. Not worth the time or money to buy one of these POS. Do some research and read many reviews about these cars. They are great on gas, but you will spend more money in the long run trying to keep the car on the road!!! Cheaply made and poor craftsmanship!!

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  "...Not worth it." - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hasenpfeffer - July 26 - 3:17 am

  What ever happened to German engineering? This VW Jetta fell apart at 200 K. With a car payment still on the vehicle, Ive had to abandon it, a worthless husk. Mechanics Ive consulted since have also spontaneously offered their contempt of this vehicle. Its not just that the time chain needed repairs as the kilometers go on. Its the whole spread of sudden, systemic mechanical failures -- The waterpump, fans, electrical system, bearings.... I was told at the dealership in a whisper from the guy at the counter: "Dont do what were recommending. Its not worth it." Hence the title. Being a budget minded guy, Id usually be upset by this. I guess I am. Lifes too short. Buy a Focus.

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  do not recommend - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pedro arias - July 25 - 3:20 pm

  i have had problems more with the dealers than the car itself, when you take this car for repair they always charge you 500.00 in whatever the repair is, the treatment is very poor, at any dealer, too many cars with problems so when you go for repair they either re-schedule you or you have to wait , the car itself is made for like to brake at the 5 year mark, i had to replace twice the alluminum oil pan, then too much oil cumsumption in the engine, shocks, temp sensor, water pump,timing belt, window just went down inside the door a common problem with this car, now is the transmission, it shifts very hard at times, 3 times at the dealer, they cannot repair it, guess what my warranty is over

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  Dissappointment - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By johnson - July 15 - 5:33 am

  This car has been a disappointment from the day of purchase when the dealer left the oil cap off. It has been to the dealership three times due to a terrible vibration through the steering wheel when traveling slowly. They say it is within reasonable limits of the car. It is trash, and I cant wait to trade it in on the new Toyota RAV4 when it is released!

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  Too Many Problems - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Chester M Schofield - July 14 - 12:23 am

  Too many recalls. Electrical problems with tailgate and interior lighting, drive shaft and transmissions problems. Wood panel trim has cracked 2 times. Not enough power when you need it quickly. My vehicle has been in the shop for unscheduled maintenance 18 times and it only has 39,000 miles on it. VW Customer Service has been extremely uncooperative. It is simply the single worst vehicle I have ever owned and I have owned many. I never write to review vehicles but people need to be aware of what they are getting into when they purchased this vehicle. VW has a lot of work to do if they are going to stay in the midsize SUV market.