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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  Why this is my last VW purchase - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By finalstraw - September 2 - 11:15 pm

  After owning many VWs and with a lifetime of great memories Ive got to accept the fact that VWs have never been reliable and Ive spent waaay too much time and waaaay too much money for those memories. The final straw happened today; I received a Warranty Extension notice in the mail about the transmission valve body in my convertible. WOW!...VW finally admitted there has been a problem and they were going to fix it. WRONG! I was out of the warranty window by 2 months - but they could repair it for $2-3k! VW lost me forever. I wish I could recapture the time that Ive wasted fooling with VWs. Unless you want to spend a chunk of your life hanging out in garages with mechanics - stay away!

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  A few annoying things - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By pfreader - September 2 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car, with a few caveats: The steering wheel does not telescope, which is terrible if youre tall (which I am). The seat goes back so far I cant touch the pedals, but the steering wheel cant compensate, so its useless. (Incidentally, it says in the manual that the steering wheel telescopes, but it does not.) Also, the front cupholders are useless. NOTHING fits in them except for a can of soda. Otherwise, its a great car, but Im trading mine in soon. I cant get comfortable in it.

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  Eco-Turbo-Fun - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By turbopwr - September 2 - 10:00 am

  "one year pre-owned". Good mileage and a better price than new. The economy and fun-factor are very high! My two main concerns are the seat is too short- (seats could also use better lumbar and side bolster support), and the service cost. The service cost is TOO EXPENSIVE. I found a good german-auto mechanic to change the timing belt at 50,000 miles after two dealers told me it would be 500+ for the work. It still cost me 300+. The MAS just went bad at 75000. The part was 300+. Incredible!! If this keeps up, my savings on driving expenses will be quickly overcome by service costs. Overall, a good choice after one year of ownership.

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  Avoid at all costs! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By JetsetTX - September 1 - 5:10 pm

  I loved my car when I first bought it. It is beautiful and the inerior is very well done and they use quality materials. Thats where the love story ends. When it was just over three years old the check engine light came on and it was the brake light switch, which was replaced under warranty. Not long after the car broke down on me on the way to work, it was the fuel pump, they replaced it. They had to replace something that was allowing fuel vapor into the cabin a few month later. The new fuel pump needed replacement within a year of the original being replaced. The clutch had to be replaced (out of warranty) at five years old. The thermostat was just replaced the CV boot 2 yrs ago.

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  My Love of Jettas - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Sunshinegirl - September 1 - 12:36 am

  I bought a 2006 Jetta Value Edition after little research. I loved everything I read about the car and was impressed with the safety ratings. I feel comfortable driving me and my little one around town. It is a very smooth ride and has a lot of power for a $20,000 car. The interior is functional and cool to look at. I dont think I will ever get bored driving this car.

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  Are you Kidding - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gman - August 31 - 3:06 pm

  I bought this from a Lady in Kansas over the internet and she drove it to me in Colorado, delivered in pretty much perfect shape. I have over a million miles on it now and I am pretty much shocked by the other owners reviews. It was built in Mexico and has had the usual faults like electric window problems and seat heaters but that was all covered in the warranty and replace with no hassle at the dealers. On the last days of my warranty I had them replace the Turbo as easy as if it was a light bulb. Since then I have done most the work on it myself. A lot cheaper than mechanics will do. Replaced the thermostat for 15$ in thirty minutes. $200 plus at most shops.

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  Mines Not So Bad - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Karen - August 29 - 5:46 pm

  Ive owned my TDI Beetle for 8 years. Arent the diesel Beetles built in Germany not Mexico? I have to say Ive been very lucky compared to some of the reviews Ive been reading. I did just have the timing belt changed at 100,000 miles, which was expensive! I owned a 318i which required the replacement of two air flow meters, so I sold it. Well, I had to replace my first one on the beetle in 2007 and Im now on my next one. Whats up with that! Its running crappy. Did have to replace the gas door, broken after 3 years. My mirror switch just broke. Headlight replacement, difficult but my husband figured out how to do it, not so bad, but $50 at the dealer.

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  My experience... - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By mystry - August 29 - 10:45 am

  This was my dream car, but its expensive. I bought the car new in 07 and have loved it, but it gets a lot of small quirks that add up. I am on my 3rd radio b/c the buttons wear down, a battery costs $195 b/c auto shops will not install it you must go to the dealer, the door panels eventully wear down, and indicator lights are always coming on. I spend more time at dealerships and more money on this car than any other car ive ever owned. Ive not had as much trouble as some of these reviews, but ive had enough that my dream car is getting traded.... I am tired of spending money on a car that is paid for with less than 100K miles on it. PS, expect to get about 330 miles to a tank.

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  Never Again!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By saglugger - August 29 - 10:00 am

  If you insist on buying a Passat, stay away from the 4 cylendar. We have had more problems with this car in two years than I have had with my 96 corolla in 9 years. We had to have it towed twice for ignition coil failures. The passenger side seatbelt broke and it took 2 weeks to get it repaired. Then several trips to the dealer for the check engine light which dumbfounded the technicians. The final straw came on the 25,000 mile service when they told me the rear brake pads and rotors were 90% worn and rusted. AT 25,000 miles!!!. $350.00. The dealer did repair them on warrenty but only after I threatened to get a second opinion. Hmmmm.

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  Customer Servie at VW :( - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Marcintri - August 29 - 10:00 am

  The car is great but costumer servie at VW is poor. Not aprpite with the Laxury type car and my expectations. I had 3 BMW before and never had these type of isses I have purchased my new Toureg not even a 1 year ago and had multiple problems with it 1.) Hesitation in acceleration when transferring from R to D 2.) Remote control would not open the rear hatch door unless you are in the front of the car instead of in the back 3.) Stereo has a glitch and projects electrostatic discharge into the speakers at 45mph 4.) The gauges signal indicators, oil level, gas level, engine temperature do not work at very low temperatures below 32F