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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  Disappointed with overall quality - 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Eddie Serna - October 16 - 4:13 pm

  We purchased our VW Cabrio GLS new because of its styling and our impression that VW makes quality vehicles. I must admit that the car was involved in a rear-ender in which the front end of the VW took a good smack, but fortunately, it was all cosmetic. My wife is the main driver (and I play the mechanic) and loved her car for the first two years. Then glued on interior parts started coming off. At about 45,000 we lost the speedo and tach gauge ($900 to replace, cant be fixed). The convertible top no longer works ($810 for the motor), the power steering leaks badly, the engine sprays oil all over, and this car has been babied, TLCd, and garaged. $26,000 and you still get a stamped steel valve cover.

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  Maintenance expensive, had some trouble - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By HighMileage - October 15 - 1:06 am

  I put over 230000 km in 4 years on my Jetta. It did stay remarkably tight. Parts I had to replace include 5 wheel bearings, a dozen headlight bulbs, a new turbo for $2400., a fuel pump for $550., a turbo hose, various front end parts, e-brake cables etc. The fuel mileage is good and you think you are getting ahead but you pay it all back for the $100 oil changes and $300 every 32000km for fuel filters. My other complaint is the electrical systems, had intermittent trouble with headlights and my door lock system. For a while there I thought I owned HERBIE. Lastly, everybody loves the heated seats because a TDI takes 30 minutes of driving to actually heat up. HELLO TOYOTA HERE I COME.

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  Love/Hate for me too - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By first and last - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Love to drive it, hate to fix it. Had it for 2 years, been to the dealer 10+ times. All four windows have broken at least once (pass. rear broken 3 times), doors and windows freeze in a mild winter, vinyl on all four door panels melted off, rear cup holder broke (even though nobody uses it), both back brakes completely replaced, recalled twice. The best part: the extended warrenty I bought at the dealer in Canada cannot be redeemed at the dealer I go to in the U.S.!! Whats up with that? Definitely my first and last VW.

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  Love my Eurovan - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By rfarnum - October 14 - 10:00 am

  We have owned our EurovanMV for one year. It is an exceptional van in many ways, and a horrible van in others. The best feature of ALL is the fact that you arent driving the same old soccer van that everybody else is driving. The worst feature? Really awful AC/Heat "Climatronic" that needs to be overriden all the time.

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  The New Beetle is Falling Apart - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Mike Cleary - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I am in my late 40s, the "Only" driver. Hood latch broke. Dealer said - "Never saw that before." Hmmmm Cable to shifter broke. Dealer said - "Never saw that before." Hmmmm # 2 Window switches - will be replacing again. Just a plain Hmmm from dealer. Interrior is comming unglued; hand brake button gone. Very disappointed with the quality of interrior. Replacing front headlight bulbs requires the dexterity of a surgeon. Now have a serious rattle coming from underneath when it is started.

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  Beautiful, but electronic nightmare - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By nolte14 - October 14 - 10:00 am

  As a longtime Honda and Nissan owner, Im accustomed to hassle-free operation. Despite its good looks and fun to drive personality, my Passat has had the malfunction indicator lamp illuminate five times in two months and the Monsoon stereo stopped working! A review of VW forums shows Im not alone.

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  Boy, did I buy a Passat? - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Wniece - October 11 - 3:06 pm

  Squeaks, rattles and all sorts of problems! The rubber seals in the doors squeak, the dashs sounds like it is coming apart and numerous mechanical issues! Worse car I have ever owned. And, the dealer can not find the Moroney Act sticker for the car, which is required for every new or untitled car sold in the US. Keep getting the brush off. They also sold it as new, only to find out it had 4,530 miles on it already! Does anyone know who to contact to take legal action against the dealership and VW...clearly they have broken the law and it is punishable up to a $250,000 fine. I guess one positive is that is looks really nice when it is cleaned up!

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  Interior trim quality - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By James - October 11 - 2:10 am

  After spending almost $40,000 on this Passat, I am very angry with how many trim rattles this has. I previously owned a 2002 Passat motion, this was far better in the interior quality department. It really does go to show that build quality is still an issue for VW. I will be spending my generous budget elsewhere in 2 years.

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  Psycho bunny - 2008 Volkswagen GTI
  By vadersv8 - October 10 - 8:18 am

  Very fun car to drive, handles almost like a BMW until you realize you only have 200 ponies under the bonnet! Favorits: handeling, seat bolstering, practicality, gas mileage, moonroof, ninja star like factory 18 wheels. Dislikes: Lousy mechatronic issue, stereo is a big joke, low horse power, leather seats arent plush, light electronic issues such as signal lights. Ugly black back bumper!!!

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  2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By brady - October 7 - 7:56 pm

  I picked my Volkswagen Jetta TDI up today. I drove the 175 miles home from dealer at 70 mph and averaged 51.7 mpg. The navigation system worked flawlesly. It is very user friendly. Disappointments, no DRLs, no wood, no homelink, no auto headlites - not that you cant live without the above its just that they were available on the 05 Jetta TDI with Pkg. 2. Electric steering allows a good feel for the road and robs nothing from the engine. Road noise is not obtrusive and the car feels typically German! You cant beat the fit, the finish, the economy and the fun.