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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  Im converted! - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By Sarah - October 2 - 10:43 am

  Is it so wrong to want to sleep in my car? I went from a SUV to this, and it is a major shock. I can now accelerate on every corner instead of braking. Its very low to the ground, so it will take me a while to get used to. I bought the VR-6 Sport Blue Exterior, two toned leather interior with Nav, etc. I love the ride - very comfortable seats. The Nav system is awesome so if you can get it, do so. Im a bit of a techie so there are plenty of buttons for me to push to satisfy the need. Yesterday I found out I have a USB port in my glovebox. I have a rearview camera that shows whats behind me when I go in reverse, and has lines to show what my path is depending on my wheel position.

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  Great car! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mare - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I love my Passat. It handles very well and it is comfortable and roomy inside. The interior is beautiful. It has a lot of little things: the rear view mirrors go down when youre backing up (and theyre heated!); there are 3 garage door buttons; the drivers seat has memory; the windsheild wipers "know" when its raining... the list goes on.

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  my first VW lemon - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By prof - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned VWs since 1967 and this is my first lemon. The window regulators have failed in two windows at a cost of repair of $330 each. The oil consumption was so bad at 30K miles that they had to replace the rings. Every month it seems like another $300 bucks.

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  Fun to drive, but many problems/issues - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By BitBucket - October 2 - 10:00 am

  The problems through 29k miles: - 3 oxygen sensors - front window regulator failed - horrible tires w/ no grip - car goes into Drive from Reverse VERY slowly - rear brake pads GONE (I verified this myself) after 25k miles - weak A/C, already re-charged once (less than 3 years) - industrys shortest door-to-door warranty (2 yrs? 24k miles???) - tranny - car didnt shift out of 2nd gear last winter, repair covered under warranty (thank goodness) Unfortunately, at least in my case, you really do get what you pay for. Theres a reason this isnt a $30K car, it behaves like a $16k car.

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  Great car - auf vieder sien to fuelpumps - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DnA Diesel - October 2 - 10:00 am

  What a great car! My wife travels a the mileage is fantastic - 65 mpg(Imp)/55 mpg(US). The ride is great, steering and braking are well balanced and have excellent feel typical of German cars. Rear leg room is a bit cramped, trunk is huge for a "compact", heated seats in winter are a nice but the velour seat material is a pain. It is a magnet for lint. Unless cost is prohibitive, get the leather. The diesel drives well year round - dont listen to what pepole say about stinky, smokey, slow diesels...VWs are not. In the end, the vehicle is a joy to drive and I accept its slightly smaller interior (in the back) because VW had not put a TDI in the Passat.

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  Great car - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Steph - October 1 - 2:50 pm

  This is my first car and I couldnt be happier with it. I learned how to drive stick-shift on it and the 5 speed is fun to drive. I have no problems with it breaking down, but its not a winter car. My top leaks when it rains hard and if I go through too big of a puddle the car freaks out.

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  I will NEVER buy another VW! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By snowylmh - October 1 - 3:24 am

  Bought my car as a certified used in 2008. Of all the vehicles Ive ever owned... this one has left me stranded on the side of the road the most. It doesnt even matter if its not a major issue, it costs a TON to fix. It cost me $960 to put in a fuel pump! Six days after I gave birth to my son, it left us both stranded on the side of the road when leaving his dr appt due to the ignition coils... a recall that happened years before I bought it certified used-- but they didnt bother to replace it before selling it to me. I have spent far more than this vehicle is worth on the constant repairs. Cant wait to sell it! Never will buy another VW. Specialized everything... total hassle!

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  BUYER BEWARE - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By PJ - September 30 - 3:23 pm

  I was very excited when first purchasing this car.That changed quickly.This car has always burned 3 quarts of oil between changes.Volks says "that is normal".I have had the ac condenser and compressor replaced.The typical water leak issues are insane.The ac still can not be used because the air has a horrible smell to it.I have had the car towed 2x due to the car shaking and shutting down.This is supposed to be a luxury vehicle.I have had nothing but aggravation.I will be trading this vehicle,selling private is not an option.I will accept my loss and be happy to be rid of it.Very disappointing.

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  Electrical Problems - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Troy Gilbert - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I based this car based on a recommendation and the lack of competition. Within 40,000 miles I have had to ake this car back numerous times for electrical problems. I have gone through three sets of headlights and three electrical clusters (Not sure of technical term). This cluster controls all interior lights within the car. Fortunatley I bought the extended warranty or I would have been in trouble by now. Each time I have had this cluster replaced it has managed to go faulty again within a year. To date we have spent almost $4,000 in maintenance related issues on this car.

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  Lovin my new Toureag SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Chitowncathy - September 30 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is great! The drive is awesome, it really hugs the road well. Drives great in rain too. Waiting to drive it in the snow next winter, that will be the real test. I came out of a Mercedes - SEC and I have to admit, I like the drive as much as the Mercedes. The cabin is beautiful and everything is very handy to read. Very comfortable cabin. The sound system is great too. Overall I am very happy with the SUV. VW did a great job!