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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  wish it was better - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By trixxie - February 28 - 2:00 am

  you know i waited and saved up for this car and wanted to love it. but i have had more problems than i care to list. yes i had the peeling doors replaced and the power window still sounds like broken glass on every bump. i have had the front seats replaced. now the check engine light came on and stayed on. and i was told it was a compter error and was $900 to fix- but it wont effect the running of the car. i think it is terrible that VW doesnt stand behind the product. this is great if you have another car to drive while its in the shop.

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  dont buy a gti - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By lemongti - February 27 - 12:23 pm

  My 07 has less than 30,000 miles on it. Last week the transmission needed to be completely replaced luckily under warranty. Got it back and check engine light came on. Dealer said intake rotor motor needed replacing. Not under warranty and over 500 in parts and labor. The company sent an extended warranty on the camshaft because it has been found to wear out prematurely. I bought a new car in an effort to not get nickel and dimed on repairs. I guess I didnt get nickel and dimed they have all been major top dollar repairs. I will never even consider another VW or Audi or anything related.

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  Bad 1998 Jetta GT - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dustie - February 24 - 9:26 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with my Jetta. It seems like everyday something goes wrong. Electrical, brake system, clutch, motor mounts, axles, ignition, key switch, heater and a/c controls have all failed within 50,000 miles. The wheels oxidize to the hubs and can not be removed without pounding on the wheels with a sledge hammer. This is not good when you have a flat tire. The car is a total nightmare. Very unreliable. Parts are extremely expensive. I can not recommend this car to anyone.

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  Dont waste your money! - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jess - February 16 - 3:50 am

  This was the first car I ever bought and have I ever regretted it! It has absolutely no room. Not to mention all the mechanical problems Ive had with it from the moon roof to the locks and the trunk latch breaking. It is definitely not worth the money. VW is way too pricey for this all around poor quality car.

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  This car is a LEMON. Stay away!! - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dirtmcgirt718 - February 15 - 10:45 am

  I got it used with 7k miles on it. After I ran the odometer up to 65k miles, I ran into the same intercooler problem other people have. The intercooler traps moisture in cold weather, and after the temperature rises, it sucks water into the engine, and the lights on the dashboard go haywire. The electronics are also horrible. Ive burned out countless lightbulbs, and apparently, after less than 3 years, and 65k total miles, my wiring harness has a short and needs replacement. VW refuses to believe theres anything wrong with the car, but clearly, Ive read about similar problems before.

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  never again for me either - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By cademan1 - January 29 - 11:43 pm

  I bought this car as a computer just before gas went crazy the first time in 03. Im a big guy and I fit very well. I didnt want to but Japanese. I should have recognized the omen of the check engine light coming on during the test drive. The car is regularly in the shop. The dealer cashier knows my voice on the phone without me telling her. The VW dealer could never fix it the first time usually taking three times until I gave up. The independent shop is marginally better, mostly because he costs about 50% less.

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  My Black Stink Bug - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By BMO - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Too many repairs at 45k mi!! Yesterday the drivers side window got stuck down in the door--either motor gave out or window clips broke. Two weeks ago I replaced the battery and also recalled part changed. Already replaced the brakes at 30K. Broken window switches, replaced engine belts, replaced relay sensors for horn to honk again ($500). Peeling interior. Stiff suspension and bottoms out easily. Trunk doesnt always close easily. 6-CD changer doesnt always register. Have a crack in windshield but costs me extra to replace d/t over- size. The worst part is the sucky dealership service. HATE VWs now. Im dumping this thing for a generic but RELIABLE Honda

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  Worst VW Ive Owned (out of 3) - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dsmark - January 23 - 1:47 am

  Without a doubt this is the worst VW I have owned. Had a 71 Bug in high school and I would rather have that car back then this 2004. We bought this car in 2006 for my wife, she loved the red/black coloring, and the convertible top. Since buying the car we have replaced the water pump 3 times, drivers side headlight keeps going out, convertable top was vandalized (not VWs fault) the power windows dont auto close correctly. Its just one problem after another...I will never buy another VW

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  All VWs Suck - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dean Gitters - January 11 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd VW. My first Jetta. It is the 8th VW to be purchased in my family. And, my family will never buy another one. Within one month of owning it the problems began; from poor assembly fuzzing upholstery. I have been to the dealer at least 9 times for all BS things. If no driven for more than a day the battery died it took 3 visits and 5 days without a car to fix it. 2 days to tighten a loose heat shield. 3 visits to figure out why the coolant light kept coming on. VWs used to be reliable cars. Now they are made like cheap disposable lighters that do not work. I am very disappointed with my VW and with VW of America.

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  Lemon! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Hannah - January 3 - 4:00 am

  Ive had my Bug for a year and half and had only heartache. I thought a Bug would be a good choice as my aunt had her 78 Bug for 17 yrs and was in still great running condition when she sold it. I was disappointed to find that this high reliability no longer exists in the new Bugs. To begin with the sensors had to be replaced, and the seatbelt covers. Then the oil pan sprung a leek, the axle bent, the cd player broke. Now my drivers seat no longer stays locked as it should. The sunroof visor is now off track and to top it off my air filter is now over heating the car and causing it to die and need a jump start. I cant run the air at all. Ive thrown over $4000 into the trash for this lemon car!