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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  50k needed a new engine - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By Bwanna - August 26 - 2:18 pm

  Out of warranty, valves are shot $4700.00. Since purchasing, the low tire warning is always on VW cannot repair, acceleration horrible, don’t try to pass on the highway, engine light always on dealer can’t find the problem or were waiting for warranty to run out

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  Dont Do It!!!!!!! Big Mistake!!! - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By Matt - August 21 - 7:31 pm

  Im a former Passat TDi owner and sold my Passat back to VW. I decided to be a loyal customer and bought a new 2017 Passat. Im so disappointed in my purchase because I told myself to buy the Accord especially after dealing with the TDI issue. I went ahead anyway and purchased a new Passat SE with technology package. Dont Do It!!!! The front seat hurts my back as I commute daily for work about 60 miles a day. The pickup and transmission lag stinks. Oh My Sunroof switch Just broke after owning the car for a little over a month. I wish I could return the car and buy a Honda Accord.

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  This Certified VW Jetta is a Stone Lemon! - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Elaine Hill - August 21 - 2:52 pm

  That beware that although a vehicle may say CERTIFIED, it may not BE CERTIFIED, as my vehicle was not. As soon as the extended warranty that I bought lapsed, the radio/stereo stopped working completely, the rubber stripping around the interior floor of the vehicle came loose and is still loose because I refuse to pay the $350. to have it repaired. I refused to pay the $750 to have the radio replaced by the South Bay VW dealership because I didnt break the radio, nor pull out the rubber stripping nor did I break the heated seats mechanism that stopped working in late Summer. The right seat sometimes heats but the left seat doesnt heat at all. So my advice to you is to not jump to purchase a CERTIFIED VEHICLE BECAUSE IT MAY NOT BE CERTIFIED, AS THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE ISNT. I am loading up on the payment in order to be able to walk away from this vehicle and get a VERY reliable vehicle.

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  Transmisión failure - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Cleiver - August 20 - 2:56 am

  I bought this car in 2007 brand new. For my niece and she only drove about 15 miles per day. When this car had 75k the transmission broken down. I honestly dont recommend this kind of piece of garbage.

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  DO NOT BUY - LEMON - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By dontbuytiguan - August 17 - 3:03 pm

  This car is the biggest lemon i have ever purchased at 44000 miles i have had to spend over 2000 dollars in non warranty computer repairs on the car is still not fixed correctly. I am giving the car back early cause i am afraid of how much more this car will cost me if i keep it the last 8 months of my lease. I would rather give the car back and pay off the eat the rest of the lease. Do not buy

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  Save Your Money - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaNoWay - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2001 with every option. After 8,000 miles had to get new transmission. Next problem the lights, I have replaced every bulb in the car all before a year was up. The newest problem turn signal relay went out. I have heard of problems with the electrical and windows falling down and with the latest problems I expect for those things to occur next. Overall this car is a joke. Interior is made for short people only, very uncomfortable seats after any lengthy ride. Leather interior is already changing color and deteriorating and the "clear coat" is already coming off.

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  Wish I hadnt... - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By the1lion - August 12 - 6:42 pm

  At first we loved the car but theres been way too many build quality issues to be accepted - its like we bought a first year Kia. We had to replace the passenger window motor, but in doing so the interior material starting coming up from the door and the dealer said it was due to the sun drying up the adhesive. Then we had another place look at it and they said when the door panel was put back on it was incorrect and pointed out the broken sections. We took it back to the dealer and they replaced it again saying the problem was the rail that held it in place became loose because the adhesive - again. Recently the sun visor came out on the drivers side - literally came out of the roof.

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  garbage - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Beetlehater - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I had so many problems with this car. My air condition stopped working a few times, my window buttons fell off, headlights were always shutting off. The customer service was also pretty bad. Also its an embarrassing car for a guy to be driving. I thought the car was cool when I first got it because it was new and a fad. As the years went on started to loathe the car and hated when people would ask what I drove.

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  Worst Decision Ive ever made! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Swagen - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I heard so many great reviews about the Jetta. So, I decided to get it, without a test drive (WHY!?). Im so dissatified with the car. Its very noisy, loud engine, doesnt accelerate quickly, no leg room, cup holders are a nusiance, defroster does nothing, etc....

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  Do Not Buy A Touareg - Ever - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By FedUp - July 17 - 2:56 am

  This is the most poorly build cars I have ever bought. It spends most of its time in the VW repair shop where most of the mechanics know little about how to make the necessary repairs. Its been towed numerous times due to electrical issues and recently had its 4th battery installed. I had new front brakes put on at 50K which cost $1,000, replaced the original tires at 30K, have a back seat that locks, have a $700 issue with the tire pressure system, have another fault light on related to the air suspension, have a xenon headlight that is problematic. My list of issue is never ending. Please dont waste your money on a Touareg. Ill never buy another VW. The Touareg is a LEMON.