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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  modern time Yugo - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VWneverAgain. - July 8 - 2:00 am

  it would be nice if you could be sure about that it will start up, get you safely from place A to B and have relatively cheap parts - the basics! This car aint it. Sensors, windows, numerous electrical problems, burning oil at 60,000, brake wear quickly, slipping clutch...

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  Dont Buy VW Jetta - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By khalo - June 24 - 7:06 am

  I bought Jetta 02, August 2007. I spent lot money in repair, in 9 months cost me lot. Lot of electric problems, and interior falling apart. In 9 months the car been in the shop more than 6 times, never fixed. Dont buy it. Thanks

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  A Huge Disappointment!! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TrickyKid75 - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Within 2 months, my O2 sensor needed replacing. Then I had a brake light that refused to flicker but stayed on. Thank god I was still under warranty! Less than a year later, my speedometer dropped and after two diagnostic tests, it was revealed I need a new instrument cluster. Soon after another O2 sensor was required. Then, following the O2 sensor recall, I was back in the shop for a Mass Air Flow sensor replacement. Also, the metal under my backseat window moldings began rusting within 2 years. Overall, youre better putting your money into KMart than a 99 GL Jetta.

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  Design flaw & auto trans went out at 50K - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Not so good - June 21 - 8:56 pm

  The major design flaw in this car is that your hood will get chipped from flying rocks from normal traffic. Buy a bra on day 1 if you buy this car to avoid the body shop. Also the space for your gas pedal foot is too small for an male adult sized winter boot. Also if you have sun coming from the driver side, the visor is too small to block the light. My automatic tranny went out while under warranty (less than 50K) and would have cost more than twice what my 91 Dodge Dynasty automatic tranny that went out on the car before this one.

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  Do not buy this car - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Carrie - June 17 - 3:56 am

  The first week I owned by brand new Beetle, the alternator went out on it. Since then, I have brought it in for so many other problems, I cant name them all. From three window motors breaking, to flooding when it rains through the door, to stalling, to a faulty CD changer. The car is not built right. For the asking price, its not worth it and its not a reliable car. Mine isnt the only lemon, a friend of mine has one that had its top gets stuck and not come back up. Its been in the shop for that two times. Sorry, but Ive tried to get the dealer to take my car back more than five times. Warning!

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  Buyer Beware - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By M Zolner - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This car requires a high degree of maintenance. I have had my 2002 Passat into the dealer twice within the past 6 months for engine issues. I have less than 30k miles on the car. I have spoken with 3 other Passat owners and they all have similar stories. I recommend that you buy this car if you have alot of extra money laying around to dump into maintenance fees.

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  Terrible vehicle - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By kmcintosh78 - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle has not gone 3 weeks without going in for warranty work. Driver side window would not close, took VW 5 times to fix it. Passenger side doing the same. Rear wiper assembly fell off. Passenger side mirror does not work. Transmission is sloppy, lunges forward at low speeds. brakes and rotors have been replaced 2 times. Stay away from this vehicle, it is junk. It is s fight to get VW to replace the vechile, since it went in 3 weeks after we got it and has not gone 3 weeks without going in for repair. Go with a Honda or Toyota or Ford.

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  Dangerous to drive - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lindagill - May 30 - 7:56 am

  The first few months headlights went out on my way home from work in the dark. Both went out at the same time. Happened again a year later. No one enjoys replacing the headlights. Sensor under the brake went out first year and second year. Was told by VW to bad you have to pay again. Car will not go into gear with out it. Learned to over ride it but dangerous to get to VW for repair. Sun roof one year leaks 250.00 plus 99.00 just to talk to VW. They have a sign when you walk in 99.00 a hour even if it does not take a hour you pay for it even if you only need a 20.00 part. Rims bad never held air in tires replaced tires over and over. To many repairs to list. Linda

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  disappointed - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By disappointed - May 29 - 4:50 am

  The car guzzles gas. It does not get anywhere near the posted mileage specs. The dash rattles. The cornsilk interior collects dirt easily and is difficult to clean. At night, the interior looks like it has the measles -- a lot of little red lights everywhere but the icons are far to small to make out. The owners manual is absolutely horrible.

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  what a waste - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By parag - May 23 - 4:00 pm

  I totally agree that VW doesnt stand behind its products and the dealerships are very incompetent. I have just had my Passat for 8 months and suddenly over the last two weeks the mileage dropped to 10 mpg on highway! I took it to the dealership and they say they cant find any problem and hence cannot help me out! All they did was scanned the computer to see if there were any problems. Further, they took my car for a spin and put 100 miles on it (50 miles more than what the invoice said). This is rediculous. I would never trust them or VW again.