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 hate my car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By girl0227 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I wish someone would have told me the truth about this car. Recent Volkswagens are junk. The interioris peeling, the review mirror casing fell off, and Ive had to replace three tires -- just from normal driving in Los Angeles.

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  Do not buy! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ns_sanchez - July 28 - 7:27 am

  I purchase this vehicle pre owned for my wife at the time it had 70 thousand miles and was doing good until we hit 90 thousand. The car has been worked on multiple time and is mostly electrical issues. The car is very low and my wife knocked off the bumper twice just be aware of that also. I have changed out the alternator twice on this vehicle as well. This car is a costly vehicle and I would not recommend this car to any one. The space in this car is small and I honestly never felt comfotable driving it. In the future I will avoid anything VW.

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  Lemon - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Cindy Dustin - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Too many hours spent in the shop to repair/replace electrical problems, check engine light problems, oxygen sensor and brake sensor problems.

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  German Junk - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By philomela - June 26 - 10:00 am

  If youre looking for a reliable car, dont look at a Jetta VR6. This weeks repair--new catalytic converter. 2 weeks before that it was an O2 sensor and in the last year, trunk sensor, temperature gauge sensor, mass air intake sensor, and the window regulator. Things that still need repair: fuel gauge sensor, dash lights, and seat levers for both front seats are broken.

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  My VW Tijuan is a nightmare - 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By myvwnightmare - April 23 - 7:30 pm

  I purchased my VW Tijuan in 2012. Brand new. Right off the lot. It has been nothing but a nightmare. Some but not all of the problems: The driver door screw fell off. Yes, you heard that right. The door was hanging with one screw. The breaks fell on at least two occasions. The rest of the times the breaks are very noisy. The ABS breaks go on - by them self. The sun visor fell on my face twice. The first time while I was driving on the FWY, The second time while I was driving in my neighborhood, Scratching my face, poking me right under my eye, then my nose, then lending on my wrist. The heater is very noisy. VW blames me for all of the problems.I will write more later.

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  e-Golf is a fraud. - 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf
  By angel bou - April 11 - 4:16 pm

  - Customer service wont help unless your attorney calls. - My e-Golf broke the 4th day and its been being repaired for a month now. Still waiting. They dont even know whats wrong... - No loaner provided. No compensation. But yeah, I keep paying the lease despite not driving my car for a month - Buy a Volt, a Leaf or a Tesla. Dont even think on a e-Golf. Dont ever consider a Volkswagen.

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  I beat VW in court! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By kill the rabbit - February 10 - 10:13 am

  The first week I got the car, it was in the shop 2 times. The radio never worked, widows always dysfunctional. The brakes were going to kill me. AC never got cold. The hatch back broke 2 times. No one can change the oil but the dealership. The back brakes wore out before 30k miles. Things randomly broke in the car. For example, the sun glass holder broke, I forgot it was there until it fell down. It was INSANE! VW kept telling me that I did not know how to use their "special" brakes. I almost got into 2 accidents because my car decided to drive off the road during braking. In the End, VW stormed out of the court room and I am buying a Honda. I had a Golf for 2 years, loved it

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  Overrated Junk Box - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Chicken Lips - January 24 - 2:40 am

  What a mistake. I believed all the hype and paid $21,000 for a small cramped poor performance car that needs premium fuel. My 2005 Volkswagen Passat has no pick up at all. Im not a big guy, but the car is so cramped it feels like Im wearing a straight jacket. German engineering, yeah right. Everything rattles and my brakes went at 3,500 miles. It burns oil too. Save your money and by a Hyundai Elantra!

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  The absolute worst car I have owned since.... - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Bryan now hates VW - January 19 - 7:19 am

  This is the worst car I have owned since I only had $1700 and I was 17. Broke down like clock work every 3k miles. New transmission, new fuel injectors, supposed "corrosion build up" that I paid for after 50k miles because the right brands of gasoline werent used...I used the "recommended Top Tier" gasolines per VW. Had to have the whole radio replaced, no bluetooth compatibility, then my car broke down again, then again....then after it broke down again, another fuel injector went out. I was "afforded" a 2014 TDI Passat to drive while under repair. All the electronics we screwed up on it so I couldnt use navigation...due to a yet to arrive "software update" Next, I had a turbo Beetle, the "sport gauges" failed, including turbo pressure and oil temperature at regular intervals, a driving light was already out...all at 8k miles. My advice....STAY AWAY from VW. Absolutely the worst car company I know. I would rather drive a Chevy Cruze than these pieces of ....

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  I will never buy VW again - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By brookem0517 - January 6 - 7:28 pm

  My Jettas engine completely shuts off while driving. It has happened 4 times in the last year. I take it to the Volkswagen dealership and they tell me there is nothing they can do about it. It really upsets me I have not even had my car for 3 years and it is not reliable. I am scared to drive because I dont know when my car is going to randomly shut off. This is a huge safety issue. This issue could cause me to be in an accident. I was always a huge Volkswagen supporter and thought I would always drive a Volkswagen, but now I am questioning that. I am so disappointed about the quality and reliability of my car and the fact that no one seems to care.