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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  How are all reviewers faring from 06&07? - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jon - November 8 - 9:26 pm

  My Passat has been a major disappointment. Ive had all types of problems: electrical/engine warning lights, stereo volume, door locking, a/c, when driving and sunroof is open it makes a horrible sound, air quality, brake inefficiency, fuel cap, the list goes on. Ironically, my car is an 06, I have a 39 mo lease and only have 24,000 miles on it. From a comparison standpoint, my 2003 Pathfinder has 50k miles, and I have only had to change the tires & brake pads. To top it off, you cant buy wipers anywhere!

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  Stay Away - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jetta GLX Blues - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Stay away from this car. I bought it last June and since September my repair bills have topped $5,000. They are lemons. A lot of little things go and labor kills you. It feels like it has spent more time in the shop then with me. Trust me, they look nice and will run for the test drive, but once you leave the lot, get ready for some headaches.

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  VW owners beware!! - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dawn - October 18 - 4:56 am

  VW owners beware!! The deception/lie that Volkswagen did on the diesel cars will affect you as a regular fuel Volkswagen car owner when it comes to trading in your car for something other than the bad reputation VW now. Be prepared to be raped when you get your trade in value as the dealerships are going to give you “Auction” since no one trusts VW anymore, they are concerned that if they were deceitful with the diesel, what’s to stop VW from making false claims about the gas VW’s. I have a 2015 VW Passat Limited, in excellent condition, financed for 4 yrs at 0% financing and my trade is worth $7,500 at “Auction” per the other than VW dealerships (Dec 23, 2016), I have NEVER been upside down on trading in a vehicle before, and note, this isn’t upside down, this is rape, over $7k upside down. And NO, I don’t want another VW!! One very upset VW owner that has a worthless vehicle now due to their faults claims on the diesel.

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  Beetles are Extremely Uncomfortable - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By baileym12 - October 14 - 12:13 am

  I bought my 1999 Volkswagen Beetle because I was looking for a car with good gas milage three months ago. I have to comute at least 60 miles one way to work. The seats are extremely uncomfratable, to the point where I have extreme back pain and I have to use a towel to support my lower back. The quality inside stinks, it is very poorly designed, has bad cup holders, and everything is plastic and falls off. The side mirrors are postioned very high so there is a big blind spot when you take left turns, which is very dangerous at night. The only thing that the Beetle has going for is its gas milage and reliablity. It says 32 mpg, but I can manage 34-36mpg. I havent had any problems mechanically, but the unbearable cabin design forced me to trade it in.

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  worst car i ever had - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chicagodriver - September 30 - 5:50 pm

  Despite all the great reviews, this car has problem after problem. First, heated seats started on fire--at dealership for over a week with no compensation from VW for burned jacket and pants.Interior cheap and falling apart. Constant engine trouble-now with only 70000 miles, the engine needs to be replaced. I have had all maintenance done on time and disgusted with this expensive, money draining piece of junk. DO NOT BUY

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  Disappointed - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By K.Pyle - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Currently, I have reported to NHSTA,BBB Autoline and the AZ Attorney Generals Office on the poor relaibility and defects of my 2001 (new) Cabrio G LX. This car has been in service over 37 days..fuel pumps, cruise control,ground defaults, wheel lugs, oil pan leak, rear brake problems. There has been continous major problems with this car...and other consumers in the service dept. waiting room,also have not experienced the dependalbility one is to expect when purchasing a new car.

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  Cabrio Fooled Me - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Meliz - September 29 - 7:40 am

  Dont be folled by its cute appearance. There is a reason why VW no longer makes these. It is strange how all the problems started to occur on mine right after the 25,000 mile factory warranty was up. I have never had a car before that has needed a new exhaust system at 25,000 miles, not to mention new brakes immediately after that. In addition, be warned that you can only get engine coolant for this car at a VW or Audi dealer service departments, which can also lead to expensive repairs and a long wait to even get an appointment. For those of you who are winter drivers, the Cabrio for sure is not the car you want to deal with snow and slush in.

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  Please do not make a mistake of buying a VW - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By mandydj - September 28 - 8:01 am

  Worst car experience ever. Bought a 2004 passat wagon 1/1/2010. Had 60K miles. Every month or two, I had to put it in the shop. Brakes, belts, engine coils, thermostat, both front axels, airflow sensor, a/c unit, etc... all had to be replaced over the 10 months I owned it. Thank goodness I was able to get rid of it before the other well known things go wrong. I got rid of it at 74K miles... heard about the turbos in these cars going out, timing belt, etc.... never again.

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  No more vws !!!! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jean - September 26 - 12:13 am

  Ive owned volkswagens before. They have been reliable and nearly indestructable. Had a Dasher that ran until 300,000 miles without any major repairs. I guess reliability is no longer a VW goal. The litany of things that have gone wrong with this car is amazing. MAF Sensor (2), Oxygen sensor (3), brakes (every year), broken windows (3), psycho electronics - not to mention the bloody check engine light. $80 just to see what the light means! Outrageous. I say disconnect the damned thing. We purchased the car because we knew we needed a reliable car with a bit of luxury. The wife drives the car for the mostpart and it is babied. Next times its a Toyota!

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  2000 Miles...visited dealership EIGHT TIMES! - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By pnav - September 24 - 7:56 am

  Only 2k miles. Engine light is on repeatedly with poor performance. Visited the dealership EIGHT TIMES for the same issue. They replaced the engine harness...ON A NEW CAR???? Now the cruise control stopped working and more "warning lights". Great concept...POOR POOR POOR execution by VW.