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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  Avoid this car BAD QUALITY - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By BRISKI101 - April 11 - 7:16 pm

  Here are the things you will face. 1) Glow Plug Module - Been through 3 2) Armrest latch - On my third 3) Window Clip - Both were replaced when window fell inside door. Some people actually have had theirs break. Recalled I believed. 4) Hazard flasher - 2nd one The interior is cheap and things fail like crazy. The dealer knows but says - Hey what do you expect you have 70000 miles? Frustrating. It is sad because the car performs well and the mileage is great. At least I bought and extended warranty. But be aware the timing belt change that is required at 60000 cost me $1500 dollars...and took a week. AVOID VW at all costs

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  Poor reliablity - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Hazys - April 10 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Jetta used with 26000 miles on it in 2002. Within 6 weeks of owning, I had a repair bill of $600+ at the dealrship. Honestly this car has been a service nightmare, the most recent recall of the brake light switch required 3 trips within a 10 day period before it was operational. The first time it was taken in, I had to return it the next day as it lost all horsepower while driving. Needless to say, they told me they had no control over the part after it past testing. It has been the biggest headache of a car. steer clear unless you enjoy visiting the dealership on a monthly basis.

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  Frustrated with VW - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Joe23456 - April 10 - 10:00 am

  I have to be up front and admit that the Jetta Wagon is fun car to drive. Unfortunately we have been experiencing an excessive amount of mechanical problems. The car has been in and out of the shop for various repairs, which have been mostly covered under warranty. At 62,000 miles (well before the scheduled 80,000 mile service) the timing belt slipped which caused a bent valve and a $5500 repair bill. I would highly recommend that if you are considering a VW that you choose a different car company. If you decide to buy a VW trade it in before it comes out of warranty.

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  Love your mechanic, youll see him a lot! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Steve A - April 4 - 3:26 pm

  The car has had repeated issues with brakes (5 incidents). Electrical problems with doors, set heaters, fuel pump issue. Repeated Check Engine Light warnings with repeated assurances that it was a computer "glitch". Only after the car was out of warranty did they agree to change the charcoal cannister (at my expense) which resolved the issue that plagued me for a year! I wasted too much time on this car. Would not buy another VW product based on service experience. Rear brakes are too thin and the fuel economy is appalling.

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  Sold, thank god! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Robert - Atlanta - April 2 - 4:26 pm

  This car is junk. I have been waiting to sell/trade the car so I could write this. Do not buy one unless you like going to the repair shop. Also, since the car breaks frequently, they have taken loaner cars away. Please note that I work on cars and took immaculate care of this vehicle. These items broke due to poor build: Antilock computer system, front emblem fell off (700 miles), heated seats, door lining, radio, 2 rear speakers, brake lights, cv axles, cat. converter, fuel pump, seats wore. Also this car has a timing chain, do not buy around 100K since you will be out 700-1400 $$$$. Buy something else for your own good. Also, be leery of the VW dealers around Atlanta - Scammers!

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  DONT BUY!!!! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By had enough - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Spend way to much time in the shop. Some problems kept coming back over and over again. The color of yellow was a good color for this car.

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  Future Buyers Beware - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By No drop top fun - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Silver 03 Convertible, transmission not working at time of delivery, fuel door quit working, top quit working twice. Currently, 3rd week without a working top. Yugo had better quality. At least you knew what you were buying. You will get more enjoyment out of a typical fast food drive up window than from VW customer service. This is my 3rd and final VW convertible.

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  junky - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By dmitriy shindyakov - March 22 - 10:37 am

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  Key design issues - 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By virginiaman - March 20 - 11:32 pm

  The panic button on the key is poorly placed and is liable to go off if anything else is in your pocket whihc might bump up against the red button. This is not a one time occurance for me, happening nine diffeent times in the first two months of ownership. I must carry the key in a separate pocket to avoid the chance of the alarm activating in my driveway when I am in my house. Mileage on this car is way below what the sticker advertised. My old Volvo S60 beats this by 150 miles for the same size tank. Interior is well appointed, but I find the bucket seats uncomfortable for long distance. I bought this to transport an aging parent. I would sell absent this consideration.

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  Poor Engine - Terrible warrantee - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By hp007 - March 20 - 12:30 am

  I have had this car for 6 years and did the oil change as required. I gave this car to my daughter for college in Maryland last month. She called one night and said that a light was on saying not to drive the car. At 11 PMt, I guess I was supposed to tell her to start walking along the side of the road. (I was thinking rape,or abduction.)I told her to to drive to the nearest gas station and get oil to see if the problem went away. It did not. We had the car towed to the VW dealership in Dover,Delaware. There was a warranty extension on the engine due to many oil sludge problems ruining the engine. Since she drove to the nearest gas station to be safe, they voided the warranty!!!