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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  Fun, but... - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By beachbum66 - September 6 - 3:26 pm

  Very fun car to drive, but consistent reliability and quality control issues throughout. This is also a very expensive car to get serviced and repaired. Ours stranded us (wouldnt start) several times due to a problem with the theft control system which was eventually fixed via a recall. Also had problems with the headlights , window motor and convertible top which resulted in repeated returns to the dealership and the car being off the road multiple days. Car is also exceedingly susceptible to dings. It is a fun car, but its reliability issues and extreme service costs really detract from the overall satisfaction with the vehicle.

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  Dont Buy it! - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Unsatisfied - September 6 - 3:03 pm

  Ive had many SUVs over the years, but this one is the worst. It has been in the shop 50 days in the last year and a half. They have just about totally replaced every part but the engine! Numerous, numerous electrical problems. I like the design but until VW works out all the bugs - buy something else. VWs Customer Servive line is also a joke. I cant remember the last time I had to call the Manufacturer to get a problem addressed - I thought that was what the dealership was for!

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  A piece of junk! - 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Editux - September 6 - 12:03 am

  I bought this car with 7000 miles on it only, and had to replace a water pump that same summer (thankfully under power train warranty). The water pump broke down the following year again, and then couple years later again. The check engine light basically has been on since the very beginning.. it sometimes comes off, but then its back on. All the little plastic parts in the interior broke down after 2 years. Cupholders dont hold anything besides a can of soda. Automatic roof stopped working the first summer I had it. Love the convertible, but otherwise its a piece of JUNK!

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  Dont Do it! Repair shop special! - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Scott - September 5 - 11:23 am

  This car is fun to drive when it is not in the repair shop! I have replaced headlights, taillights, an airbag wire harness, radiator fan, trunk latch, ignition key tumbler, the paint on the interior peels, and I have had recall services done. I implore you, even with the warranty this vehicle is not the one! You will be on a first name basis with the auto techs at VW! They are very nice but I would prefer to be on the road and not at the shop!

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  Back to Driving Fun - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By jgs5607 - September 5 - 7:06 am

  I have had my car for 3 weeks now and am very happy with it. I did not opt for the DSG (as nice as it is); to me the manual is more involving and fun to drive. The interior is outstanding in quality and overall layout; better than any previous car I have had. I have been breaking it in gently and my average mileage on 2 tanks has been 28 MPG (70% Hwy, 30% City) so if gas goes nuts again, and I drive sanely, it will not hurt too much at the pump. I expect when I put my foot in the turbo hard, that it will drop to low 20s, which is as good as my old car. Handling is great and the car is a blast to drive. Highly recommended. This is my first VW product by the way.

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  Great Car - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By jnwfla - September 4 - 11:40 pm

  My wife bought this car to replace a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. She is thriled. She gets the space she needed and the zip she did not have. And, the car looks great. She loves all the features, but the XM radio is on the top of her list (go figure). Now she can listen to even more sports talk radio....what a girl (and, her in it, makes the car look even sexier than it already is). Anyone looking at SUVs should consider this car.

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  Money Drain: $5000.00 in 6 yrs. - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By ileangoodnite - September 4 - 4:20 pm

  I loved this car. I believed the seller: "it might last 12-15 years". Excessively expensive routine- maintenance, + $ thousands for major system failures. In 6 years, they sucked $5,000.00 for: Sensors x 5; Ignition coils; radio; left axle; right axle x 2; gas hood strut; water pump; left rear door lock x 3; motor mounts (1 month before engine failed & replaced under recall); intercooler; heat shields;(recalls) rib belt; timing belt; homelink dropped off...fix cost= $500; tires replaced x2; transmission range switch cleaned ($101.00. Following week: same switch replaced: $1,000.) Upholstery frayed; paint peeling; Disappointing. Stressful. Friends and I will not buy another VW product.

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  Ill never buy another VW. - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By DavidPA - September 4 - 11:33 am

  I dont have time to list all of the problems Ive had with this car. The worst was the "transmission blew up from the inside". I enjoy driving it when it isnt in the shop, but the hassle of constant problems greatly reduces the experience. I know others who have had similar experiences, and it is clear that VW has written off a generation of Jetta owners. Their national and local customer service has been awful. After a major breakdown I limped to a local dealer who refused to even look at the car for 3 weeks. I called another dealer, but he hung up on me. The VW America customer service was horrible.

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  Poor Mans Bimmer - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By Seekrr - September 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Passat on a trade-in and what a difference from the Mazda I drove! Solid, responsive, balanced...yeah, a little underpowered with the auto, but a blast down the hwy. or back roads. Sure it needs fixing more than a Ford and parts arent cheap (not to mention my dealer sucked!), but for pure driving enjoyment, I couldnt have made a better choice!

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  NEVER ENDING - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tomperk79 - September 4 - 10:00 am

  I already posted a review, but I have to add to it. Above all the other problems, I had my transmission replaced 1 1/2 weeks ago. I had to take it in a second time, and now it has to go in a third time, becuase, VWs suck and their service department doesnt know what they are doing...