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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  Its the Little Things that Get You - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By joblow - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Pluses: Great seats, fun to drive,.... Minuses: The recalls, ie. O2 sensor issue. the green-ooze that drips out of door onto frame and then your pant-leg in hot weather, steering wheel in hot weather creaks.... Rear-Tail lights tend to go out often The minuses are starting to pile up.... This could be a great car, but right now the little things are driving me crazy....

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  Regret it - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By slm - March 8 - 7:33 pm

  A nice car but a week later I really regret not buying the Mazda3 sedan we looked at. The Mazda was more fun to drive, bigger inside and a lot less money! I definitely know what I will be trading my Jetta for as soon as I can. The Jetta is nice but not worth the price.

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  My service manager knows me by name - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CRABBY VW MAN - March 7 - 10:00 am

  5 hrs.after pick up from dealer, sunroof motor quit. 1 month later strange creaking/groaning noise from front end Dealer found that "something" was missing in right strut Check engine light comes on at 11 months followed by speedo going nuts List is too long on "items" replaced by dealer. 1 month later, same issue again, This time, different items replaced, told that this will correct the issue. 7 days after picking up the car, my favorite light comes on again " check engine" Just dropped off the car today the service manager....tells me it is one of the oxygen sensors. This is my 6th Volkswagen, and my last.

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  Never, Never Again! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By NY Nurse - February 28 - 7:26 am

  I wanted one of these cars for ever. I finally bought one a year and a half ago. It has cost me more in maintenance and repairs in that year and a half than any other car Ive ever owned for the entire time I owned them! I went over a bump and it cost me $850! There is always something broken, now it is a window sensor. Dont be fooled with the German engineering thing - Its now Mexican engineering and they are not the same. I am selling my little lemon bug. Lesson learned.

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  2002 Jetta TDI review - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Matthew Scott Medlin - February 26 - 2:06 am

  I loved the car, until it had to be in the shop too many times. The latest is a transmission issue. A BIG side note, very few people (dealership mainly) can change the Timing Belt at 80K. It requires special tools and it costs around $800.00.

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  NO NOT BUY A VW JETTA DIESEL - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By James - February 21 - 7:16 am

  I thought getting 45 city, 55 HWY would save me a lot of money. I have 2 Jettas, 2001 & 2003, and they break down all the time. To replace a radiator fan is $550. It take 2.4-2.6 hours of labor + the fan is over $200. The car feeds the exhaust back into itself, which takes maintenance. Recently, log a lot of power, would only go 60mph, had to replace a air control sensor, $180+ new, just a 4 inch pipe with a sensor in it, parts are very high. If you pull up to close to a concrete parking bumper, it will go under the car and pull your bumper facing out. The oil dip stick going into a plastic pipe, designed to break after heating/cooling, $20, and when it breaks, the plastic could go engin

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  Many Problems!!!!!!!! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Denise - February 15 - 1:13 am

  At 37k the AC compressor went out, the air bag light stayed on and the AC panel light went out. At 40k I had the windshield replaced because it was basically raining in the car from a hole in the winshield under the dash. At 56k the aux fan went out and the trunk light went out. I had yellow stuff coming from under the doors but I guess its all gone now. I noticed a grunting sound went turning corners and going over speed bumps at low speeds. That was amazingly fixed with a wheel alignment??? Go figure. The cup holder is on by hanging by 1 hook. The only reason Im keeping the car is because its paid for and I like the way it handles.

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  Fun to Drive, Poor Quality - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Fjv17 - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new and its always been fun to drive. However quality leaves a lot to be desired. Ive had several annoying problems before and after the warranty expired. Ive replaced: Coil Packs (several times), wheel bearings, Door Locks, Outside Moldings, & the Cooling Fan (twice). Driver side seat is broken off one of its hinges and the Secondary air pump is loud as it can be. Of course all of these things are not cheap to fix. Most of my driving is Highway & I dont drive it hard. Is it too much to ask for a VW to last more than a couple of years?

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  Disappointed 2nd time buyer - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By S. Parker - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Warning to all - do not park under any tree. Had to replace windshild at one week old after a hickor nut hit on the exposed edge of the glass. The edge is the most fragile part and VW needs to cover this edge. Hearing vibration noises from the dash at only two months. Very disappointed in this car. Thought I would be getting the same quality as the 88 Jetta I had bought new back then, but it is not there. The car looks good but the quality isnt backing up the looks. Need more leg room in front and back.

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  Happy and Sad - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By BuffaloScout - February 7 - 2:30 am

  Purchased this used vehicle for my 90 mile a day/6 day a week job. Right away noticed that at least twice a year something would go wrong requiring $500-1200 dollars to fix at the local dealership. Now with 156000 miles my little yellow light told me it required a new transmission. Bummer as I wanted to fully test the longevity of the diesel engine. It reminds me of an expensive girlfriend that you really love, but have to lose to keep your sanity/money. Hence the bipolar ratings I gave this car.