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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  Too Many Problems - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By crys - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I want to love this car - but too many problems are making me crazy!!! Air bag light has come on three times before the car was even a year old. Oxygen sensor was recalled - something i didnt have to pay for to fix. MAF sensor needed to be replaced (25,000 miles) - sunroof broke - and just recently my window fell off the track and fell into the door!!!! It seems like everytime i fix something - something else breaks!!! There is no need for a car this expensive to have so many problems.

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  Too bad! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By savage1 - January 5 - 10:23 pm

  Major repair problems. Tried 2 different VW dealers and an independent mechanic - no one can fix it right. Had head gasket replaced ($1200), water pump, and themostat (twice) - still overheating! No temp gauge - only a red light when its already too hot. Front license plate holder fell off. Everything about this car is expensive, so make sure you get an extended warranty! Dealer service is terrible - will keep car for a week for any repairs. Oil change took 3 hours.

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  2000 Volkswagen Beetle - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Mikey - January 5 - 5:50 pm

  We bought our 2000 Volkswagen Beetle new and we take care if it. The check engine light has come on every few months since weve had it. Notable fixes include, MAFS (x2), sensor (~one month ago) and it is on again. At $80 just to find out what is wrong, it gets expensive. Also, the passenger window wouldnt roll up, the door switches are broken, and the armrest latch busted. VW service wants $800 to change two brakes, and an arm and a leg for everything else. Dont waste your time. Ive had two other good experiences with VW but this car was a mistake. AVOID THIS CAR!

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  Oh the GTI...Muaaah! - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Vampyre - January 5 - 12:06 am

  It was love at first bite! As soon as I set eyes on the 2003 Volkswagen GTI, I was hooked! Although this vehicle was used, it looked as if it had just rolled off the show room floor. Its charcoal exterior...black leather interior...and five star rims...are flawless! I turned the key...music to my ears! The humming sound of that 1.8T engine was very inviting. I put it in first gear, and I knew this car was for me! With just a 4-cylinder engine, this car feels like a monster! It has fast acceleration, with more than enough torque to throw you head back in the seat! It is not what youd expect out of a typical hatchback. If you looking for something between a sport and economy, this is your car! It is a true pleasure!

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  Hopefully Youll Think Twice About Getting One - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By T - January 4 - 11:36 pm

  After being rear-ended Feb 2006 in my 99 Cabrio, I decided that I wanted a "new" car. Unable to let go of the convertible but unwilling to pay big bucks, I purchased an on-the-lot dealership-certified 02 Cabrio. This was a big mistake. I have had more problems in the last six months than in all the years I had the 99 model. I only have one vehicle, it has been in the shop numerous times, it can take days for repairs, and some of the "repairs" were not covered under the warranty I purchased. I have spent more, complained more, and been more frustrated with this car than with any other. I have reached the point where I am willing to spend the money to get a reliable vehicle...no matter who makes it.

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  German Engineering--seriously? - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By steveocda - January 4 - 9:09 pm

  I have a 2006 TDI. I have replaced the dual mass flywheel because the original failed. That is a very expensive repair and negates a whole lot of good gas mileage savings. I also had to replace the cracked plastic valve cover. The rubber coating on the radio and radio buttons has peeled off and looks horrible. The mechanism on most of the air vents have broken off so they dont move easily. The fuel door lock sticks so the fuel door doesnt close easily. These kinds of problems simply shouldnt exist on a car at this price point. I havent seen that kind of poor quality in any other late model I have driven.

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  Buyer Beware - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tony - January 4 - 5:30 pm

  At first I really liked this car. Sure the Value Edition limited my choices, but the car came with a lot of standard features anyway. For the price, it almost seemed to good to be true. Unfortunately, it was. Its been downhill since I drove it off the lot. A sensor problem with the door locks required VW techs at corporate to help diagnose and fix. Then there was the recent recall due to fuel line problems. But the real clincher for me is the ride. I cant believe someone described it as "smooth" unless they just got the car. Up to about 1300 miles, it was smooth. But once the suspension got broken in, it now rides like a horse-n-buggy. I would not buy this car knowing what I know now.

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  Alright, just not the best - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By HipHop - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I am a little dissapointed, on the test drive the car seemed great, after putting on 2k miles it is already losing its appeal to me, feels just like a golf, only slightly quicker - Ill most likely sell it and get an EVO - my other deciding factor to dump it is that two of my close friends have EVOs and they absolutely blow the doors off this thing, handling, and acceleration - time for an EVO

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  Not sure if it is worth the money! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By irishgirl0503 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Its a fun car to drive. I took it in for a recall today because the brake light switch is out.. Thankfully there is a recall on this. The dealer was great, fixed the problem in about 30 minutes. The over all quality of the car is good. Mine has over 80k miles on it and I have had no major problems. The interior on the other hand is a different story. The door handles are peeling, the little knob on the emergency brake has fallen off.. the window switch on the drivers side has broken, & the glue that holds the trunk latch in place came loose.. other than that I love my car!!

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  ENGINE sucks - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By azwildbrat - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Nothing but problems since day 1...you cant have the sunroof open without cracking the windows because it creates this really annoying wierd noise. It eats oil like no other...had the engine replaced at 78K miles...Thank God for extended warranties because of all the crap thats gone wrong with it - O2 sensor, MAF sensor, drive belt, airbags, computer chips, headlamps ($65 each), wiper blades ($25 each), water pump, thermostat, coolant housing. My recommendation - DONT BUY....well thats unless youre thinking of buying mine.