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:

• 

  great vehicle until 80,000 miles - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Duke M - November 21 - 4:04 am

  dealership support has always been an issue. I dont trust them to tell me the truth. After an dealership oil change I left on a long trip. 500 miles from home in the middle of nowhere, loud flapping noises from the engine compartment. I inspected and discovered that the underbelly pan was missing bolts. I limped along at 60 miles an hour for another 500 miles to a town that had a VW dealership. I had to pay to have the missing bolts replaced. Local home dealership denied to refund me the cost of the repair. It appears that its a myth...Diesel engines are good for 100,000 s of miles. At 100,000 miles, the repair saga has begun. Do I dump and run or do I take my chances that the worst is behind me?

• 

  I will likely kick myself for selling it - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JenJen - November 20 - 6:10 am

  I bought my 06 TDI right off the truck in Dallas in 05. The cars were really hard to get at the time, but I didnt mind going from OKC to Dallas to pick it up. This car was excellent! It had a "cockpit" like an Audi, was a package 2, so it had nearly EVERYTHING VW had to offer - heated leather seats, memory seats, Sirius sat. radio, HUGE trunk, DSG/Tiptronic transmission, power everything (virtually). Fuel economy was not AS good as what I have heard from others, but I was still "breaking" in the engine. Economy steadily increased from 37 mpg to about 42 mpg by the time I traded it in for an 05 Jetta TDI GLS to keep the fuel economy.

• 

  A great car! - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By jlb - November 20 - 5:46 am

  I agree with other owners: this car is really, really fun, and the hardtop convertible is just great. I learned to drive in Italy, and you can really throw this car around corners. My only regret is that I didnt get a stick. For an automatic, the DSG gearbox is good, but I tried a friends Audi with the same 2.0 Turbo and a stick, and -- well, the stick is just more fun.

• 

  Bad Electronics - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By vbrand - November 20 - 5:13 am

  I love the Touareg. I love the way it drives and love the interior. BUT it has been in the shop every two weeks since I bought it (all electrical issues). to top that off the dealership here has treated me terribly.

• 

  Diesel & VW Newbie Loves TDI Sportwagen - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Goldilocks - November 19 - 5:10 pm

  Im a 40 yr old professional working mom with two young kids and a long commute. Id never owned a VW or diesel before buying the TDI Sportwagen (Blue Graphite and beige interior) about 2 weeks/800 miles ago. This car is an excellent value and does so many things well. Performance, comfort, functionality, overall good looks without being too flashy, and MPG are all terrific. So far Im averaging 42 MPG and thats in some stop-and-go traffic. Getting 600 miles per 14.5 gallon tank is both a money- saver and convenient. And its a blast to drive. I expect to be driving this car a long time and told my 6 yr old that if he treats the car right, hell be driving it when he turns 16!

• 

  Dont miss the repair shop - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Robinowitz - November 19 - 10:00 am

  There was no greater fan of this car than me. I waited breathlessly for six years after seeing the prototype to buy it and loved it from the get go. Then all hell broke loose...literally. The whole A/C system had to be replaced at 2 years ($1200), the passenger seat lift lever broke off at 6 mos., the interior roofs compartment door broke off within 2 months, the locking fuel tank door broke around 2.5 yrs, the locking mechanism started doing a freakdance and a year after replacing the A/C system, it went out again. Had to dump it for the reliability of a good ol Nissan.

• 

  Perspective ... I hope this helps someon - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Asphalt - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car in February of 2000. A year or so later, the check engine light went on. Just this morning my car started smoking on the middle of the highway. I can understand the faulty sensor, but I believe I have a very big issue today. For a car to have such a problem in 2 1/2 yrs refelcts badly on VW. They have major reliability issues. Yes, this car has many good features, ie, handling, roof, heated seats, looks, stereo. Some bad ones, ie, gas mileage, high price, faulty sensors, and ??? (My car is in the dealership right now for it). From an economic perspective, there are much better choices. From a fun perspective, I believe it is above average

• 

  midsize for $25000 - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By fullboat - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and performance of this car.

• 

  The Peoples car could be les pedestrian - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mighty Entropy - November 19 - 10:00 am

  the car is well made, but there are a lot of little things that annoy me about it... the rear tweeters keep rattling, the windows fall into the door..broken glove box, peeling interior and the worst part of all is the lousy service departments. The service department alone is enough to not want to buy this car. Sadly with all the things that go wrong there is no avoiding it.

• 

  What was I thinking! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By J Walker - November 19 - 4:36 am

  Problems: $1800 to replace wires in electrical system (quoted$6000); $175 to replace power mirror knob; $875 for driveshaft; $700 to fix AC and rear latch release; $50 per coil wire, bought at least 8, not to mention plugs--currently been told airbag inflator needs replaced ($580) and catalytic converter ($1000). My father is a car dealer, so I bought this from the VW lease line at the auction w/39,000 miles. Had to replace the coil wires and plugs within 1 month. Ive been able to save money on some parts and labor with one of my dads mechanics. Only take to VW when I have to. Always some light on-tire; airbag; brake sensor (need to replace the sensors). Be prepared to spend $$$