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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  Buy Something Else! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Joe - May 20 - 11:23 am

  I bought this Jetta as a replacement for my aging Saab 900SE in 12/04. This car looked really nice with its low stocky stance and red and blue lights inside. It sure was a looker, but thats where the love affair ended. Fourth gear on the car would rattle and there was a buzzing / rattling in the headliner that would get on my everlasting nerves! It got HORRIBLE gas mileage for a 4yl. car and it had NO power at all. I thought all European cars were made the same, well I guess VW is the redheaded stepchild of the bunch. It also burned oil and the front bumper would occasionally fall off for no apparent reason! I sold it last year and dont miss it at all.

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  Very nice but too small - 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By frenchguy007 - May 20 - 8:24 am

  Great SUV but the cargo space is quite lacking compared to the competition (50% less space!). The wheelbase also makes for a choppy ride on rougher roads. Wish that VW would make the Tiguan longer so that it would give a more comfortable ride (both in interior space and road manners).

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  Almost there - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By MLevine - May 18 - 6:38 am

  A great SUV except engine is underpowered. Everything was great once we sat inside and reviewed the features. Once on the road that was the deal breaker. Engine needs some more horsepower.

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  Bittersweet! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By RLomeli - May 17 - 9:13 pm

  I purchased my jetta in oct of 07. Ive had to replace a cooling sensor water pump radiator hose and thermostat. I commute 60 miles daily so it doesnt surprise me that ive done this. I wish I had gotten the 1.8t for the horse power but that gets me in trouble. I am overall happy with the car to this point. I firmly believe if you take care of it it will take care of you. Oooo my radio stopped working but I was thinking of purchasing something different anyway. This is as I like to call it a cheap luxury car..... This is as close as Im gonna get to a BMW or Mercedes so yes I love it. And VW has a history of being diff which I like.

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  Never Again - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Never Again - May 16 - 1:16 am

  This is by far the worst car I ever owned. Since I got it, every month I have to take to the mechanic. Too much money invested for nothing. I just trade it in for a Toyota RAV4 which I love. I wouldnt felt comfortable selling it to someone else, even thought many people wanted to buy it. Beware of the Jetta 1.8T.

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  Its like a beautiful woman :) HIGH MAINTENANCE - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By lovetodrive1 - May 15 - 12:36 pm

  I love my passats looks but sadly it ends there :( It drives like a dream when it is not in the shop. If I can say one thing it would be to find a mechanic who knows something about a VW. That has really been my problem. It has been one expensive thing after another but I am hoping now that I have got all the bugs out it will take me on down the road. I did find a good mechanic finally but seriously this thing has had issues at only 80K that cars with 200K dont even see. Motor mounts, oil pressure problems, AC problems, I have replaced every single hose on the thing some even twice and I keep up on the service faithfully. There is a reason rich people own these cars!

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  BIGGEST MISTAKE! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By mmackey - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Passat in 08 and had to bring it to the shop after only 2 months. Check engine light has come on periodically since purchasing the vehicle. Gas tank build up that had to be cleaned (out of pocket almost $200). Breaks had to be replaced and rotars within 5 months. My key has been stuck in the ignition several times. We are already experiencing turbo lag. Also, knocking sound coming from the engine. We apparently blew a gasket that was spraying oil all over the engine. We have owned the vehicle for less than 2 years and have brought it to the shop 13 TIMES! We are looking to trade it in and are completely upside down! Pretty to look at but VERY UNRELIABLE! This will our last VW!

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  Entry level luxury Hatchback - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By auto-enthusiast - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for 7 months and its a capable daily commuter. Ride is comfy and balanced. 200 hp is not all that overwhelming but it is enough to get you in trouble if you dont watch it. The interior design is clean and feel luxurious like the Audis. The cargo space is plenty and the rear passenger leg room is excellent. The car is fun to drive and it gets a very good gas mileage. I drive 70% freeway and I average 28mpg. The only mechanical problem I have had is the rear window washer nozzle drip. I am not sure if VW has come up with a permanent fix for this because the first repair didnt get rid of the problem.

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  Highs and Lows - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By berne1 - May 15 - 3:30 am

  Got our S model 10 months ago for the great lease payment. Some nitpicks are our fault (for getting the base model), while others are VW/Chryslers. The 3.8L is fine for the driving my wife does, which is basically back & forth to kids school. MPG doesnt really matter when you put as few miles on as we do! Best handling/riding minivan Ive driven! Way roomier & more useful than the SUV we turned in. Quality issues include sliders that dont open in temps below 30 degrees, a tire pressure monitor that is constantly on, and some rattles. Over time Ive noticed much more suspension noise.

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  Vanessa - 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By sara - May 14 - 6:56 am

  My dad bought me this car off of ebay my senior year of high school! I love it its has broke down a few times. The only real problems ive had is the abkc seat is really small. and my distributor cap and rotor died. The mass airflow thing has been a problem too. My automatic top stopped working due to the hydraulic pistions brekaing down. But its at 104,000 and still running beautifully. I absolutely love my car. and its fast and samll so you can fit into any pakring spot