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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  Dont Buy the 2006 Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tim Maynard - May 24 - 11:10 am

  I bought my Jetta and it has had a rough idle since about 4,000 miles. I have taken it to the dealer four times in over four months. They have not been able to repair it. The last time they said they were not able to repair it at this time. I filed a lemon law complaint with the BBB, and was denied due to the fact that it was not a serious enough problem. So now I am stuck with a lemon and I cant do anything with it. Talk about a waste of $22,000 dollars. Do yourself a favor, and stay away from the 2006 TDIs. Look at TDI club and search for 2006 rough idle and see all the other unhappy owners.

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  Luxury Class w/ no Pretense! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Blondie2000AZ - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Saw it. Had to have it. No test drive and still paid less than sticker! When everyone involved has confidence in the value of a car, its an easy, painless transaction. I love this car because its classic and unique at once. Down to earth, but very stylish and fun. Compares favoribly w/ likes of BMW only without the pretensiousness.

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  Constant expensive repairs, but fun to drive when working. - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rocketknight - May 17 - 5:31 pm

  Fun to drive. Too expensive to own! Breaks often, all unusual problems, always over $1K to repair. Engine design is terrible! Water pump broke at 32K miles/4yrs. 2/3 of transmission needed replaced at 100K from the plastic hydraulics reservoir bursting. Plastic parts throughout engine are designed to last <10 years. An engine fuse didnt burst when shorted causing a small engine fire. Plastic parts break when removing to get to broken parts. Metal fuel lines bolted over plastic coolant parts with no line flex make DIY very difficult. Most parts can only be obtained through dealers. Aftermarket parts cause check engine light to be constantly on, only solution is dealer parts @>2-3x cost. ETC.

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  Rides like a Truck - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By BKM - May 16 - 9:00 am

  The 2007 Jetta is a very appealing car, but I dont like driving it. The ride is very rigid and feels like riding in an old beat up truck.

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  GTI VR6-Fun to drive......to the shop - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By rmarz91 - May 9 - 10:00 am

  The good: Power, car looks good--Interior looks well made--Like the heated leather seats--Radio looks cool--17"wheels The bad: Had at the dealer many times because the check engine light keeps coming on--Have to drive with the seat moved forward about 3 inches if you want to fold the rear seats down--Monsoon sound system has NO bass response--Climate control fan starting to make noise--Factory roof rack mounting bolts not mounted properly into frame on passengers side making mounting a roof rack very difficult if not impossible--No help for previous issue from VW -- Has 5500 miles on it and is developing alot of rattles and noises.

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  VW Not Such an Honorable Manufacturer - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jon - May 6 - 1:23 pm

  It seems like shop mechanics are a thing of the past. Nowadays they plug the car into a computer for $200. Its a great car, but the temp light has started to flash on and off. Well we took it in to get looked at and were told in a bright tone that wed need to get the engine replaced for $8000. When asked why. Because youre loosing oil pressure? Oh whats causing that? Hmm.. Dont know.. Can you find out? Yes but then wed have to get dirty and open the engine up. Thatll cost you $4000. So you think the engine is stuffed? It might be, or it might last 10 years, cant tell. I dont know whose to blame! VW, VW dealers or the car. I think Ill buy a horse. I will never buy a VW again!

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  frustrating to own - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By s donbeck - May 4 - 2:33 am

  Had this car for 18 months. Bought it with 36,000 miles on it in Oct 07. The tire pressure warning system has been "fixed" 6 times and is again giving the flat tire alarm which blocks all other dash display features. The rear stabilizer bar broke. The brakes had to be replaced two months after I bought the car. I got the pad wear warning alarm a week after the new brakes were installed. New tires and alignment last July. The fronts are worn down to nothing on the inside after 10,000 miles. The dealer has been great and fixed almost everything for free. They also sell Fords. Im going to trade for an Escape. Ive had enough.

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  Constant Problems - feel unsafe driving - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By VWLemon - May 2 - 2:00 am

  My Passat has been sent back to the dealer 5 times now. Twice for ignition coil failures and the other three times for various other "Check Engine Light" problems. The fact that the car can and does break down anywhere for no apparant reason makes it feel very unsafe to drive. I cant think of anything else than driving a car you do not feel safe in.

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  Volkswagen: KING OF UNRELIABILITY - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By netchic1 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought into the hype and really regret it. My 2001 NB Turbo is cute, but its in the shop about 1 time every 2 months minimum. Headlights go out within 2 months of buying the car, radiator hose broke w/in 1 month of being new, battery just went dead b/c alternator was faulty, check engine light has gone on twice, door lock on driver handle pops out - been broken 2x, the center console latch broke, and this is all under 24,000 MILES!!!! VW service at dealerships are not all that great, I had an awful run in with the Boardwalk Auto Volkswagen in Redwood City, CA. Most VW Service Dealers are backed up with all the VWs that have problems.

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  2006 Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By motorjim - April 27 - 2:40 pm

  My 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T is great when it is not in the shop. Mine has been in the shop for five different problems in 7,000 miles. It is very glitchy. I am very concerned about ownership post warranty.