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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  1ST TIME VOLSWAGEN OWNER - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By LILWAGS - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I GOT INTO THIS CAR AFTER HAVING A SUV FOR MANY YEARS. BIG ADJUSTMENT BUT I LOVE THE NEW CAR. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CD PLAYER BUT THEY FIXED IT IMMEDIATELY. JUST A LOOSE WIRE. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE. ITS AGREAT CAR FOR THE PRICE.

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  Piece of Junk! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kay Highland - February 8 - 10:00 am

  If you are thinking about buying a new VW Beetle, think again! This is the biggest piece of junk on the market! I have lost count as to how many times my car has been in the shop. It is in there right now because it will not start! They are cute and fun to drive but not reliable! I have had just about everything you can imagine go wrong with my car. I have had five oxygen sensors replaced, my CD changer replaced three times and have had several other issues. My Instrument Cluster went out and it is $300.00 to replace. The dealership charges $235.00 for a new battery! I just spent $300.00 two weeks ago to replace a bad Temperature gage. Do not buy!

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  This one is a heart breaker... - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jahshwa - February 8 - 1:48 am

  What can I say? Ive poured money into this little beast, and everything is still breaking. If its not a circuit board, its a vacuum hose or an oxygen sensor... Everything just falls apart on this car, and there seems to be no stopping the decline. I just rebuilt the transmission, replaced two axels, two boots, the A/C circuit board, the windshield washer pump, the windshield... you name it Im replacing it. It drives great, and I loved it for a while... but this thing is high maintenance & annoying. Not worth the fun drive at all... Ive already dumped an extra $6000.00 into this car, and thats what its worth now.... :(

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  Great Car - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By feg_82 - February 7 - 5:33 pm

  As an owner of the previous generation Jetta, I can say without a doubt this is the greatest exectution yet. I shopped the Audi A4 and BMW 325i and while no one can deny their great attributes, my Jetta GLI had something about it that I couldnt resist.

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  one tough beetle! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By roman_capps - February 7 - 1:32 pm

  At first the beetle looks girly and cheap. girly to some, but cheap only in cosmetics. for the 13 years of its life it has been ragged out by a teenage girl and my father. Both have been over revved before they change gears. my father changes gears at 9000 or 90000 revolutions (cant remember) and it sends chills up my spine when he goes up hills. Not one transmission replacement to me that is amazing it sits at 195k miles. Rockwell is a great company, only in mechanical. The cosmetics on this car are absolutely cheap and plastic the entire door panel has been torn off. Its true how Volkswagen has been given to the beetle it is truly the peoples car.

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  i am not sure now - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By aqueen - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Having been driving it for 2.5 years, love to drive it as much as hate to repair it. I havent had the window broken problem but something even worse.. the "check engine light" just keep coming on again and again. It was ok before the mfg warranty expired but beyond 2 years, i have to pay $75 everytime just to have the dealership to diagnose it, not mention the repair ocst. it is all about the poor sensors which can often give false alarm only because it snows or rains too much (humidity).

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  First and last time. - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Marbles - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I was very very pleased with the car up to about week 3, and now I can honestly say that I will NEVER buy another VW. Reason? The South-American Assembled interior rattles more than a jar of marbles in the paint shaker at home depot. Going straight, going slow, on the highway, in the neighboorhood, doesnt matter. constant rattles from everywhere in the car, more than even my 91 chevy blazer with broken interior pieces. My question for VW is this: Why are we still paying German prices and premiums for South american construction and quality?

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  Great So Far! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Cvance - February 5 - 4:16 pm

  This is my third VW, first Passat. I really enjoy this car. The parking assist is really nice. I am a lazy parker now. My dealer told me that I could use regular unleaded, and I do. No complaints about performance. Rain sensing wipers can be finicky. I really have no major complaints. I get compliments on the car and ride. I am pleased.

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  Lemon - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 7475689 - February 4 - 7:16 pm

  High maintenance cost,engine hits pavement, $10,000+ in repairs over 3 years. Poor Radio, not impressed with VW#5, will not but buy another soon. Engine fell out after right side engine mount failed. VW no help!!

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  2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Stick - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bernard Gibbes - February 4 - 2:53 pm

  I traded in a 2003 Audi A4 quattro with sports / premium / stick for this Jetta GLI. Amazingly, I dont miss my A4 at all. Its only been a week and its like a distant memory. The new GLI is a huge improvement over the previous model (just like all mark V Jettas). The engine is outstanding - this cars ability to accelerate is extremely impressive, particularly with the manual box. This is the best short-shifter I have used on a vehicle under $40,000. The clutch is smooth and light and the steering wheel is best in the world (under $100,000 at least). I love the sport cloth seats. They are not cold in the winter or sticky in the summer). VW used a high quality fabric, which is very durable. this car has a great MP3 stereo head unit and bi-xenons headlights, too.