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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  Fun! Excellet value! - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By akb518 - January 29 - 7:20 pm

  This car is a REALLY good deal. Got it for about 21k and some change. To me, this is the best car for the money. It has upscale looks and excellent build quality. It doesnt look cheap like other cars in its class. The 200 hp turbocharged engine is a gem, very smooth and extremely powerful. You cant even feel it idling, very unusual for a 4 cylinder. The 6speed DSG automatic has seamless shifts and perfect downshifts. Perfect steering and smooth handling as well.

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  Brochure Fraus on Package #2 ! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mislead and unhappy - January 28 - 11:50 am

  I bought a 2006 TDI Jetta package 2. Quoted in the 2006 brochure Under pkg#2 is listed "12 way power-adjustable front SEATS with 3-position memory." I did NOT get a power passenger seat. I have called VW of America to try to get some answers on why I dont have a powered passenger seat but have gotten nowhere. VW of America thinks I should have a "12 way power-adjustable drivers seat with 3-position memory". This isnt what the published brochure states. Also I dont have a self dimming day/night mirror either. I was told by VW customer care, this was part of package #1. According to the brochure, Package #1 includes package #2. I will never buy another VW!

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  Fun to drive, but expensive - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Birdman - January 26 - 2:00 am

  My 99 Passat is fun to drive and very responsive. However, there have been far too many repairs. Some repairs have been under warrenty, but too many expensive ones have not. I have needed two tie rods, a water pump, a throttle and two sets of brakes. The trim above the driver side fell down. VW promised to fix it at no cost, but later changed its mind.

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  Fun to drive, but expensive - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By birdman - January 26 - 2:00 am

  My 99 Passat is fun to drive and very responsive. However, there have been far too many repairs. Some repairs have been under warrenty, but too many expensive ones have not. I have needed two tie rods, a water pump, a throttle and two sets of brakes. The trim above the driver side fell down. VW promised to fix it at no cost, but later changed its mind.

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  Whats up with the brakes? - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Second Thoughts - January 24 - 1:33 am

  I owned my car for 3 months and the brakes started squeaking. Took it to dealer who says brakes had a little dust and they clean them. One month later same and worse. Rain, early morning worst, but sunshine too. Im simply embarrassed that I drive a new car with less than 10,000 miles that screams like it needs a serious brake job, thats dust? Never had any stopping problems and love the car otherwise. More later when dealer looks at the car again. Not too happy right now.

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  The usual - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jill - January 24 - 12:53 am

  From me you get much of the same: Love the looks, annoyed by the reliability. But its good not to have a car payment. Since buying my car in 1999 Ive replaced the coil pack at least once, maybe twice, replaced the wiper motor (which then failed again but I got a replacement free). In the last 4 months, at about 80,000 miles, Ive replaced the O2 sensor and manifold, which combined with the wipers cost about $2000. I need a new catalytic converter, which will be around $1300. Yet I cant afford a new car, so oh well. Combined city and highway overall mileage has been about 25 mpg, so thats decent.

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  still runs, but i"m mechanical - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By tim9999 - January 23 - 2:56 pm

  Bought used for cheap, needed clutch, bad A/C. The clutch was 600.00 from the clutch guy I know. Heater core went out at 120k this is typical i guess. Heres what I did: disconnected heater core, ran heater hoses to A/C heat exchanger, (A/C bad anyway...) Now heats ok. Needed water pump at 130k. Runs strong, handles great for big car. Nice leather interior. Huge inside area. Easy to work on compact vr6. Have done all work myself except clutch.

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  70k and still good - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By jeffbaynard - January 23 - 8:06 am

  Just turned 70k mostly highway on this excellent V6 car. I fully plan to keep it; it feels like it has a long way to go maybe 200k. Reliability has been excellent, no check engine lights and no repairs needed. I do plan a major preventative maintenance at 80k consisting of timing belt, water pump, roller, atf flush, new brakes, new battery. I already did plugs, oil changes 502.11 synthetic only, cabin/air/ fuel filters myself. Tires replaced at 50k. I do have the harsh downshift into 1st sometimes but it never amounted to much (so far). Hope this helps. I do recommend this car but check the records and keep up with the maintenance.

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  JETTA 1.8T - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By LENNY - January 21 - 2:00 am

  VERY FUN TO DRIVE, QUICK AND HANDLES WELL. WINTER PACKAGE COMES IN HANDY WHEN COLD. NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR DUE TO WORKMANSHIP OF DEALER.

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  Bug of my Heart - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By briansfreehold - January 15 - 3:00 am

  I traded in a 1997 Kia Spotage for my cyberpunk green 2002 Bug and have had almost nothing but great luck with it. Of course after 30.000 miles any car will have some problems, like the plastic PVC around the bottom of the engine came apart as I was driving it on the freeway, and there is some hesatation with the automatic transmisstion (which was taken care of by the warranty). I stil just love this car. It may not be as cheap to fix and run as the old VW bugs but what is? Of course, the gas milage is sorly laking from what they said it was on the sticker. I get 23 mpg on the freeway. Bottom line, it still kicks butt over most of the other jelly bean looking cars that are on our roads now (BORING).