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:

• 

  Wouldnt get another VW if you paid me - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By cd1138 - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems since I got this car. The trunck released at will on the highway, the car wouldnt come out of park if the a/c was on, the windows fell inside the door twice, the paint peeled off, and the transmission has had problems twice. In addition to this all of the plastic parts inside have either broken or fallen off.

• 

  Two years flawless - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jay-Seattle - January 24 - 6:10 pm

  I convinced my wife we should buy new and I am glad I did. Ive been very happy with this car and have had no problems with it. It still drives like the day I drove it off the lot. If you can find a used one for a good price--go ahead and grab it. This car is a nice mix of a lot of things. Its like a small SUV (good space), handles like a fine european sport sedan, and get good (not great) gas milage. Hard to beat it!

• 

  so so - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By golf - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a GLS a week ago. The check engine light was on 2 days later after I took it home. The dealer said it was caused by loosed fuel tank cap and fixed it. A week later, I added more gas into the tank and tighten the cap, the check engine turn on again just in 1 day. I have to take my car to see dealer for 2nd time in 9 days. I heard that VW would replace the car if the same problem appears in a year/10,000mile, I do wish this is true, but who knows?

• 

  Be afraid - be very afraid! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SO UNHAPPY! - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I was so excited...my first NEW car. No more worrying about breaking down or having my car in the shop - I was buying a VW! NOT! This car stinks so bad - I dont even know where to start - Im so angry w/ VW I just cant stand it. Gas tank was replaced after having the car for 1 month. Sunroof leaks, mass air-flow sensor had to be replaced, passenger & driver window regulators both broke within a week of eachother. VW Customer Care has reminded me that VW is not obligated to help its customers after the warranty expires - even if they know the parts they used to build the car are crappy. Please save yourself the trouble - buy ANY other car!

• 

  VERY BAD EXPERIENCE - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MA_Driver - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I raved about my Volkwagen Jetta TDI for the first 50,000 miles, but have been very disappointed since then. The list of repairs is numbing: glow plug relay, glow plug, air flow sensor, passenger window motor, and dash lights. All of these problems have cropped up in the last 20,000 miles. Ready to push it off a cliff.

• 

  Better than expected - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mulfomi - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I expected alot when I bought my Passat and it has exceeded my expectations. It has been a blast to drive with the 5 speed and I get 30+ mpg when driving on the highway. The ride is great as it provides a smooth ride (since it is a family sedan after all) yet when you want some handling, its pretty good.

• 

  Love this Pocket Rocket - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By theo - January 24 - 6:06 am

  I owned three different vehicles since my last VW which was a 2000 Jetta VR6 and Im glad to be back in a V Dub. My family (me, wife, two little girls) use this as our daily transportation and love it. This car corners and stops very well. Its acceleration is very good too. I was concerned about its fuel efficiency, but Im not anymore. My wife and I took the GTI on a trip soon after we purchased it and got 29 MPG.

• 

  Engine Issues - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jenny - January 23 - 7:56 am

  I bought this car because of its great looks and cheap price tag; however, all I have faced is headaches. I am currently going in for the fourth time since my purchase for engine, exhaust, and electrical problems. One of the times there had been a recall through VW, and I was never notified.

• 

  Love the 2.0 Turbo - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Dan G. - January 22 - 9:56 pm

  I love the 2.0 Turbo in the Tiguan! Had the same engine in my 2006 Passat and love both the engine and transmission. The transmission is smooth and the turbo gives you that needed boast in passing or that extra acceleration you need when you’re entering a busy highway, and beats out all the competitors when it comes to acceleration. A little pricey, but the Tiguan S isn’t badly priced considering all the standard features and the quality of the build. The interior is nicely done and has actual aluminum trim vice the aluminum looking plastic you find in the competitors. Didn’t ever care for the color red, but the Black Cherry Metallic (which I purchased) is exceptional.

• 

  Great Car All the Way - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By xscoops - January 22 - 6:52 pm

  I just recently got my Jetta SE but love it! I have driven many different makes and models and for the cost the Jetta is certainly the best value. I was, like most, somewhat apprehensive after reading reviews about poor interior quality but took it upon myself to go investigate. After driving and seeing all the great features I was impressed and bought the car right after. Dont be swayed by any reviews until you have personally experienced the car for yourself!