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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  I would not recommend this car. - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By SAM# - March 28 - 10:00 am

  This car to me is very much not worth the money. There are way too many problems with the car as you can read on the other forums here in edmunds. I have had mine for four months and overall am not happy with it. The automatic transmission is not good at all - horrible shifting at all the wrong times. Cruise control is the worst Ive used on any car. At cruseing speed the engine whines at a most annoying pitch also. MANY problems with the Beetle and check engine lights, airbag lights, power windows not working correctly, motors on the hatch not working with many other problems. This is not a one car problem, so watch what you buy.

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  This car has been a terrible mistake - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mkastor - March 19 - 10:00 am

  This car has been one continual headache after another. The windows continue to fall off the tracks. We go get them fixed and then the glass falls down inside the door with a loud thud again. During the warm weather, large amounts of grease from the window mechanism leaks down through door and on to the frame where you get in and out of the car--getting on your clothes. We have had many other problems besides this, so I definitely would not recommend anyone to purchase a Volkswagen.

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  Wolfsburgs not so great. - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By KLF - March 17 - 3:56 pm

  Ive owned my Wolfsburg for a little over a year now and I wish Id never bought it in the first place. Ive had to take it into the dealership at least 9 times. Four times for the same thing!! My speakers rattle constantly REALLY loud and nobody can seem to fix the problem. I also have a thumping in my trunk coming from who knows what! I could go on and on, but I dont have room. Bottom line: "El producto de Mexico"! Ill never buy a VW again. My advise...buy American.

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  2009 Routan Nightmare! - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By Riri - March 8 - 9:52 pm

  I was excited to buy my 1st VW, but sadly lost all trust in VW shortly after owning a Routan. The Routan is very unsafe to be on the road. Corporate doesnt stand behind their poorly made products, and this minivan has broke me due to constant major monthly repairs. Most repairs have involved the braking system (replaced master cylinder twice, abs unit & flushed brake line). Wheel barrings all needed replacement & problems with engine (censor replaced & another major part that I forget what it was now..Ive lost track at this point). In the last 2 1/2 years its required 11 major repairs that have cost me over $6,400! Its the most Ridiculous & UNSAFE vehicle Ive ever owned! I cant wait to get out from owning a VW.

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  don"t buy a 2006 VW Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By zman328 - March 7 - 7:23 am

  Please do your self a favor...RUN don"t walk away from owning a VW especially a 2006 Passat 2.ol. VW doesnt back up their product. There is clearly a design problem with a this year and this model"s engine which ultimately results in your need to replace the engine!! In the 40K plus area the cars begins to burn oil, there is a problem with the cam shaft and high pressure fuel pump. VW puts a bandaid extended warranty that is designed to do nothing. It is carefully worded to protect VW and not the unsuspecting buyer.

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  Pathetic Piece of Junk - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tino - February 29 - 1:16 pm

  My Passat was dirty when delivered, with cookie crumbs and coffee stains. It had 700+ unexplained miles on it when it was delivered. It had a major leak in the exhaust system no later than 7 days after I drove it. The radio system often fails to turn off when leaving, you must manually shut system off. The car feels like someone kicks it when accelerating. Now, I have discovered that the MANUAL hand crank on the side of the car will no longer moves the seat up or down. What a piece of junk! Corporate customer service has feigned concern (soft voice, syrupy enunciation). I want action, not platitudes! Inspection reports show conflicting mileages. This car looks nice, but who needs a $27,000 lawn ornament?

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  BEWARE: DO NOT BUY THIS SUV - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By shena - February 24 - 7:36 pm

  I have had so many problems with this SUV. I had it for 8hrs and had to take it back into the shop. Since I bought it, it has been back to the shop 21 times. Now it is in the shop having the transmission replaced. Anything and everything that can break or go wrong with a vehicle has! The dealership refused to even try to fix it, saying that my imagination was running wild, that they could not find any problems. If you buy this SUV be prepared to fork out alot of cash for repairs because once the warranty goes out, then they will find enormous amounts of damage that you have to pay for, even if you have told them about the problems numerous times before. Please dont get suckered in like me!

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  Great idea not realized - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bitter Sweet - February 23 - 10:00 am

  The excitment of owning my Jetta was short lived. In the 1.5 years that Ive owned my Jetta it has blown 2 fuses, the secondary air pump has gone out on it, the window brackets have broken 4 times and the windows have fallen inside the doors, the soft finish on the door handles and console inside the car have peeled off, the antenna had to be replaced, I had a braking malfunction, the sunroof wasnt working properly, the rear brakes went out within 24000 miles, electrical problems causing the brake lights not to work, sputtering upon starting the car, rough power surges while accelerating, and the interior shows every stain and picks up everything.

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  Jetta is a lemon. - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VWowner - February 23 - 10:00 am

  The 2000 Jetta we have has been in the shop about every six to eight weeks for something. The engine is noisy, the ride is harsh, the radio is tinny sounding. A real disappointment.

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  Worst car to buy...ever! - 2012 Volkswagen CC
  By Natasha M. - February 18 - 12:44 am

  I have had this car less than 2 years. I have a 2010 CC 2.0 L Turbo and it has been awful. First, the whole control module went out in the car, which was not covered on ANY part of my warranty- that was $700. Next, the engine blew. Mind you, these engines are awful and I am a responsible adult who does not "rag out" my car. Luckily, that was covered under my warranty. My car has 96k miles on it, and has had nothing but problems. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR.