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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  Im out - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Im out - July 24 - 2:26 am

  Replaced 2 steering columns hard shifting transmission peeling interior paint burns oil - 1 quart/1000 miles suspension noises uneven tire wear replace two ignition coils lumbar problems the list goes on and on I traded it in - I am soooo happy to be out of that car

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  Love hate relationship - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ronald - July 20 - 11:12 pm

  The 2009 TDI sportwagon. I love about everything about this car except reliability and that is a show stopper. Virtually every system has had major overhauls except the engine. I guess I have grown spoiled driving about a dozen Toyotas over the years as they are reliable and run forever. Expect to pay the cost of the car for repairs during the first 120K for this model. The least reliable and most expensive to repair automobile I have owned. I will never purchase another VW.

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  Up in smoke - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By iajtapmas - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car brand new from the dealership. After two and a half years during which i spent almost 2K in maintenance, the car went up in smoke last week as i was driving. For details look for my posting on http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotiv e/vw_smoke.html. New and used car buyers please be very careful before deciding to buy cars from VW

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  Nightmare Experience - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pandapizazz - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I will never lease a VW again! I have had nothing but problems since the second day that I have had my Jetta. Problems range from windows falling into the door, a sunroof that doesnt work more than it does, and an engine that needs to be replaced. I havent had my car 3 years and honestly feel that I have a lemon. To date I have spent almost 3500 on a car that isnt 3 years old!! BEWARE!!

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  If you buy a jetta buy a bus ticket too! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By blaue - June 30 - 2:00 am

  We leased our Jetta new in 2000 and are finally done with the lease.(never again)and the sorry @#! car.They are so appealing to look at but dont be fooled! Three sensors went out,drivers window fell out,both cup holders broke several times,seatbelts broke, brakes went at 22000 miles all 4 tires went before 15000 it shakes,sputters,idles funny,has stinky exhaust no room in the back seat. And VW dealerships and cuctomer relations SUCK! Buy a Honda,Toyota,or Subaru instead.

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  Its the Little Things - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By irish7459 - June 20 - 10:06 pm

  I started having problems right off the bat. The check engine light came on about two months into my ownership. They had to replace the entire O2 sensor. Next the door locks broke. Theyve been replaced twice, and are currently broken again. The interior dome light broke in year three. I never touched the thing. The muffler started vibrating in year five. Ive had it "fixed" but its still vibrating when I accelerate. My car has been strictly dealership maintained. They are a pain to deal with. You have to pester and pester to get them to do anything. I figure if a part breaks and keeps breaking VW should change and make better more reliable parts.

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  Vw Jetta DO NOT BUY - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bob - June 18 - 10:50 pm

  2002 VW jetta worst car ever made. Water pump went out, electrical issues, transmission went out, heater problems, many other problems also. All this with only sixty thousand miles. By far the worst car ever made..

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  2000 VW Passatt is the Worst! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By soozzn - June 13 - 7:53 pm

  What can I say about a car that was built during the Octoberfest? This car is a MONEYPIT. I researched many hours to endup with something that I have rebuilt. It has a new water pump, three new sensors, new ball joints, and a new radiator. We also have replaced three oil pan covers due to their cheap plastic. It aloways needs new tires and alignment. Now it has a short in the ABS sensor that will cost $1,300 to replace and the clutch is slipping. Oops one of the electric mirror knobs broke off. How can you drive without adjusting the mirrors? What else can I say? Its time for another Japanese car. My patience is lost and no one gives a DARN. The dealers just take my money. I have had it! I am afraid of VWs. Does anyone have similar feelings?

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  scary test drive - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pilo - June 11 - 2:00 am

  I went test driving a used 2000 Jetta with an actual mileage of 27180 last night (February 28). I thought February was the month of "love" but it felt like November 1 to me when I opened the driver side door and sat on the seat. They were creaking. The salesman (who broke the hinges of the glove box when I asked if the manual was still with the car) said that "because it was cold and seating in the lot for almost two weeks". But since I really liked the exterior design, I went for the test drive, made two turns and backed to the dealership.....the cover of the visors mirror broke. Sorry Jetta, it may have to stay longer in the lot.

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  I got stuck with a bad one - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tiffanypatterson4 - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Unfortunately my car had the wiring harness hacked into and was a bad purchase. The dealership never told me this. I had to find it out on my own when my car started having electrical problems a month after purchasing it. It took another VW dealer than where I purchased it to tell me the real problem that the main wiring harness was hacked by someone installing an auto start, I didnt even know the car had an auto start. Created a site at suckerswanted.com