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:

• 

  Do not buy this car! - 2009 Volkswagen EOS
  By JLM - May 22 - 11:43 am

  I purchased a 2009 VW EOS 8/30/08. On 9/29/2008 a valve that measures the clutch temperature malfunctioned. If the clutch is too hot "safety measure" the car canÂ’t change gears. This malfunction occurred while I was on the freeway; I was almost hit by a semi trying to pull to the side of the road. It was like I put it in neutral and revved the engine, every light in the car flashed indicating a problem. I was initially told that my problem was a faulty engine switch. This diagnosis didnÂ’t make sense. I had to demand to speak with the head mechanic for my concerns to be taken seriously. This value malfunction also causes a pressure problem in the transmission. I have contacted a lawyer.

• 

  reliability? - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VW user - May 18 - 2:00 am

  This word doesnt exist in VW dictionary, before buying one of these talk to the VW mechanic - take him out to lunch. This vehicle is nothing but problems: windows,C02 sensors, gas fuel leaking, rattling, squeling, check engine light lives its own life on/off,

• 

  Cant keep it running - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By rustyII - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Its been in the shop more time (almost) than in my garage. QC saddly lacking. Engine quits unexpectedly. 6-cylinder engine hopelessly underpowered, even going uphill at freeway speeds. The goofy transmission hunts and pecks endlessly to find the right gear and has to rev the engine very high to get where it wants to go. Styling doesnt wear well either. Its looking more like a typical bar-of-soap car every time I look at it. Even the leather is showing wear and tear and is beginning to look cheap. And this is only 6-months old!! VW should concentrate on making cheap bugs and stay out of marked segments where it doesnt belong.

• 

  Piece of S... - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By leholder - May 16 - 10:07 pm

  I got my 2007 Passat almost 4 years ago used (only 6 miles- it was a dealers show car) At first, it was great. However after about 2 years it started having issues. The check engine light was constantly on. I took it to two different VW dealerships to have it fixed a total of 4 times, every time getting a rental car and half the time they said there was no issue, twice they replaced the CV boots (in the matter of 3! months!!!) It died on my way to my parents house on christmas for the last time. Apparently after being given a clean bill of health, the drive chain broke and was then ground into my engine. So after spending roughly over $5,000 making sure it was ok, now it is gone. POS!

• 

  DO NOT BUY - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jason Meigs - May 14 - 10:00 am

  DO not buy this car, they have had several recalled parts and they take NO responsibility if the car breaks even with a bumper to bumper waranty i had the car for 9 months and the transmission broke they made me pay 3000.00 for it then the eslectrical system went out and they covered it but it took 5 weeks to get it finished and do not even try to get a rental car from these people..PLEASE do not make the same mistake i did. once you drive off the dealership VW has no concern for you. I rate this car as horrible. there are several websites dedicated to VW lemons., they are hurting MANY people do not let them betray you...

• 

  Horrible car - 2006 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Terrible - May 7 - 3:53 am

  I have so many problems with this car. The brakes scream every time I step on them. Just recently when ever I turn (what sounds like the fan belt) rattles when I turn. The seats are not comfortable, If you have a family and use the back seat a lot you might as well by a boulder to drive because it feels like your riding on one. I dont think the new ones are much better.

• 

  2018 Tiguan SE - In service 18 days and counting.. - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By W. Gallup - April 27 - 2:25 pm

  Purchased a new 2018 Tiguan SE on September 15th - within a week I started hearing a rattle from both B Pillars, excessive road noise from the drives door and a flicker with the back-up camera. Took the vehicle in for service on 10/9 and have yet to receive the vehicle back. VW corporate is now involved, including their resolution department and they have attempted to stall my filling of a lemon law claim until 10/31. My only request is they buy the car back and return my deposit and first payment. I have lost all faith in the Volkswagen brand based on the way I have been treated.

• 

  A waste of money - 2009 Volkswagen CC
  By bluebenz - April 22 - 11:41 am

  Paid big bucks for this car, problems from day one. Check engine lights, water leaks, rattles, rattles and more rattles, interior parts that break, horrible build quality.

• 

  Sludge-----beware!!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Cynthia in Virginia - April 13 - 4:03 pm

  We bought a VW passat at 50000 miles as a cert. vehicle. 2 days later in the shop for engine light. Week after that same problem. Finally fixed, but now after only owning the veh. for 1 yr. the engine blew on vacation. Both Carmax extended warranty & VW are refusing to pay for this as they say we did not maintain vehicle....We have proof of oil changes and maint! Obviously there was sludge in the engine when we bought the vehicle. VW quoted $10K to repair as they sent us a parts list that included everything even near the engine, including TIE ROD ENDS...I love my Passat, prior to this it was very comfortable and fun to drive, but who wants to be stranded on the road 500 mi. from home?

• 

  Terrible Car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SH in AZ - April 6 - 9:03 pm

  First brand new car. Thought VW had an outstanding reputation. I have been in and out of service since I bought the car. Coolant fan kept draining the battery, check engine light on several times, and right before I dumped it, calipers and struts were bad and three of four new tires were cupping. Black looks great in the showroom but is impossible to keep looking nice. Black interior caught every piece of lint and dust creating a constant mess that a professional car detail service could not clean. Interior peels, cup holders are a joke, absolutely no leg room in the back seat, and the trunk latch broke three times. This is just to name a few. No love lost when I traded it 3 days ago.