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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  Must drive! - 2010 Volkswagen Golf
  By astropsychic - August 10 - 12:53 am

  I have the 2010 2.5L 3-door gas version and it is excellent. It is very practical, spacious, and fast. I got mine used for 6,500 less with no mechanical defects whatsoever. Even with only 3 doors, there is still plenty of space in the back for passengers. It does come standard with heated seats, AC, electric door mirrors, electric windows, two 12v charging slots, and an AUX IN port for your music playing device. The radio is very good and weather resistant. Build quality is very good. Nothing feels cheap or out of place. Even though mine has only 170 horsepower, it can still overtake pretty much anyone and anything on the road. Acceleration is very quick and the noise isnt too loud.

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  Worst experience ever - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By awfulcar1 - August 9 - 11:59 pm

  This car was nothing but trouble starting at about 4,000 miles. Had I known the Lemon Law existed, it would have qualified and I wouldnt have wasted thousands of dollars on a car that is worthless and countless repairs. I was informed by a dealership GM when I traded in my car that VW does about 70+% of their business through lease because they are known to have so many problems. Problems included radio malfunction, faulty light sensors, sunroof malfunction, lock malfunction, keyless entry malfunction, faulty fan sensor (killing the battery), faulty fuse panel, faulty ignition (burning spark plugs and very dangerous), rough starts, faulty alternator, engine stalling, and Bluetooth lawsuit.

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  2018 Tiguan - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Lothar Baum - August 9 - 10:03 am

  MPG much better than published

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  Awesome Car! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By passatlover - August 8 - 9:00 pm

  I hated to become a station wagon mom, but I tell you, I love this car! We have a beetle, too, and I love them both!

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  Great, reliable, useful car! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaTDI - August 8 - 7:26 pm

  I have had my Jetta Wagon TDI for 3.5 years now and basically would not trade it for anything out on the market. It was relatively inexpensive to purchase new in 2004, especially compared to other comprable cars on the market at the time, especially comparable WAGONS on the market (subarus and such). I drive it to work every day and have no complaints with 43 avg mpg. I carry my two 50 lb dogs in the cargo area regularly and they have more than enough room to be comfortable. The back seats are lacking in footroom but since it is just me, I have not been too concerned with that. Dont know how well carseats do in it yet either. My husband plans on using it as his commuting vehicle in future.

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  Wish this car was worth what I expected - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By roger2texas - August 8 - 4:56 pm

  I dont understand.. I hear that VWs are supposed to be great cars, but this car is so expensive to repair!! CV joints/axles are unbelievable and 5k miles after being replaced, axle is out again! VW dealerships are very unfriendly, and want over $500 for any little thing. Temp sensor has gone out, alternator out, transmission kicks ugly when downshifting from 2nd to 1st, sharp object about to poke through leather from inside of seat, interior is peeling really bad (doors, trim, console, back ashtray, etc..), car burns excess oil (approx 1 qt. every 1k miles) NOT NORMAL for 2003 with 75k miles and full castrol synthetic 5w-40! Poor gas mileage even though premium fuel is used as REQUIRED!

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  Not bad for a wagon - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By harmsaj - August 7 - 9:23 pm

  Fun car, has plenty of kick when you punch it, not my GTO, but hey. This is the first turbo car and VW that Ive voluntarily bought, and it was worth it. We just drove back from the mother- in-laws, 489 miles. There was still over a quarter tank of gas left, that rocks! Couple design features Im not crazy about, but later, fun car, great utility, kind of a rough ride for a larger car, but moves like a smaller car. Suspension is kind of mushy, no slaloms anytime soon. Sounds sweet with an aftermarket intake!!!

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  Give the Golf a chance! - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By Driver J - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I leased a GLS 4-dr Golf and I love it! I drove a Corolla before and now I cant go back to the vanilla style and handling of the Hondas and Toyotas. The only problem Ive had is with a faulty oxygen sensor computer. I was expecting this as it seemed to be a flaw on 2000 and early 2001 Golfs and Jettas Otherwise it drive well and I have no complaints. Dealer service in both Wisconsin and Wash DC area has beeen exceptional. No one ever pesters me for extra oil changes, etc. I will probably buy a VW when the lease is up.

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  My dream car is a lemon :( - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Andrea - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I always wanted a bug, and made it a goal to purchase one. I bought this car brand new off the lot with 4 miles on it. After 4 months of bliss, this car became a nightmare. I have had prolems with the oil light, check engine light, airbag light, coolant light, and the malfunction indicator light. It has had the following items replaced: a seatbelt, the faulty window brackets that all the beetles had, the instrument cluster (2 times), all 4 cylinder coils, a piece to the trunk latch system, and last but not least, that car is getting a whole new engine put in it now!!! I am very very very disappointed and have lost faith in Volkswagon. :(

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  My dream car is a lemon :( - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By andrea - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I always wanted a bug, and made it a goal to purchase one. I bought this car brand new off the lot with 4 miles on it. After 4 months of bliss, this car became a nightmare. I have had prolems with the oil light, check engine light, airbag light, coolant light, and the malfunction indicator light. It has had the following items replaced: a seatbelt, the faulty window brackets that all the beetles had, the instrument cluster (2 times), all 4 cylinder coils, a piece to the trunk latch system, and last but not least, that car is getting a whole new engine put in it now!!! I am very very very disappointed and have lost faith in Volkswagon. :(