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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  Review of the 2007 Passat 4Motion Wagen - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By charles edmundson - September 26 - 1:43 am

  The electronics in this vehicle stink! The sensor wipers only work when it is not raining. The steering wheel touch controls only work sometimes. The air bags light comes on for weeks at a time, then just goes off. The low tire pressure light comes on, even if you completely empty the tires, fill them up correctly, and even overfill them. Also, the folding back seat is poorly designed. My other car is a Volvo xc70. The guys in Germany should buy a Volvo and study it. I got the Passat, because I thought it would be weird to have two of the same car. What a mistake. I should have gotten two Volvos. The price was about the same. I cant wait for the lease to end.

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  Fun but not very reliable - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sphereframe - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This is a very fun car to drive, however, I wouldnt buy another one. First, Ive had way too many problems with my power windows. Second, the interior materials peel. There is a slight covering on the interior surface that peels off. Third, I"ve had all kinds of problems with the clutch in my vehicle. What makes it worse is the dealership hasseling me over the work. Between the car experience and the dealership I will never buy another Volkswagen.

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  Be Careful - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By jmp9 - September 15 - 9:32 am

  I just bought the 2012 GTI last week. So far: non-linear acceleration i.e. the pedal has about two inches of dead travel before the car reacts and then it engages and the car shoots forward, which makes it very dicey in traffic. Over rough pavement the dash and the A pillars buzz like a hornet. I couldnt have a bigger case of buyers remorse. Will VW fix this? Maybe they will surprise me; if not Ill follow every nuance of the Ohio Lemon Law and they can buy it back.

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  Make Friends at the Service Dept - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By carljetta - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car into the service department so many times I have lost count. First, the engine light started coming on. Talking with other customers I have met in the service dept waiting room, this seems to be common. The service techs could not come up with a cause so they just started replacing things as they went down the list. Now, the motor on the sunroof I hardly ever use has stopped working. The tech has decided that the motor needs replacing. The interior has not held up well and many things have begun to peel. Oh well, at least it gets great fuel mileage!

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  More than the engine - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mwpainter - September 11 - 11:23 pm

  Preface: Ive owned a LOT of cars. I bought a very clean, used VW Jetta TDI (2010) thinking Id get a reliable car with great mileage. Well, mileage: yes! Reliability: no. VW engineering is--and I say this honestly--very strange. I think they design with the idea that nothing should fail. Very idealistic. But stuff DOES fail! Thats real life! And boy did things fail. I replaced sensors, a glow plug, an intake manifold, a radio, bulbs, a battery...all in just two years on a car with not many miles. The little diesel is great, dont get me wrong. But reliable this car is not. And very expensive to maintain. I dont say this lightly: I will never buy another VW.

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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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  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...

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  Maybe biased because I had a Bimmer - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By happy163 - September 3 - 11:52 am

  Alright, so this was a trade in for another lease I had which was a 2013 Passat SE. This Jetta was better and a lot more fun to drive than the Passat. The TDI engine is a lot more lively and engaging than the 2.5 Liter in the Passat. The electronic steering was fun as well. The wishbone suspension however, was very noticeable for someone who knows a thing or two about handling. The back end is just too unstable on curves and wishy washy. I had this unpleasant rattling noise in the center console where the cup holders are. It would never go away. The gas mileage in the vehicle was excellent as I put on more miles on the car, the better the gas range was. At one point i was getting 45MPG.