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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  First and last VW for me! - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mallory24 - June 20 - 3:18 am

  This car was bought for me as a first car and I absolutely loved everything about it. Its super cute, fun to dart in and out of traffic with and it had a great "giddy up" to it. Within the first year I started having mechanical issues with the car not starting. I took it to my local Firestone and got the battery, starter, alternator, and ignition checked out and I got a green light on everything. The next day I made an appointment with the VW dealership and they were just as unconcerned and rude as they could be. For almost two months I have been fighting this battle with VW for almost two months and Im surely getting rid of this car as soon as possible.

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  Decent Value, Not So Decent Quality - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mjohn129 - June 20 - 2:46 am

  Purchased my 2005.5 New Jetta 2.5 in June with 27k miles on it, like new condition. More features than everything else I looked at within this price range - loaded with leather heated seats, auto windows, wipers, and headlights, moonroof, etc. 13k miles later... (I drive a lot, especially visiting home every few weekends from college) This car is very fun to drive. It can be a little hesitant when accelerating, but does better on the Sport mode, though that quickly drains fuel. Runs smoother on mid-grade than regular. Mechanically reliable, but has minor other problems... trunk suddenly stopped locking the first time, window buttons peeling, wipers suddenly wipe for no reason, etc.

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  7 months and window still not fixed - 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
  By anubis2012 - June 18 - 11:34 am

  I bought myself a new 2012 VW Beetle for Christmas on Christmas Eve 2011. Since day one the driver window will not function properly and close. Most times it starts up the reverses and goes back down even when you hold the button in the up position. 7 months later even today I was told VW is researching the problem with no fix yet. I just took a 2+ week trip to remote areas of CA, UT and NV. It was very annoying not to have functioning windows.

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  Good year for the Jetta - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andrea - June 18 - 5:26 am

  I never would have thought about buying a foreign vehicle until my bf got me psyched about the idea of owning one. We just went to some random dealership and I was so happy when we test drove this. Ive had it almost a yr now with no problems. Its got over 96,000 miles on it and is still a young one. I plan on keeping this vehicle for as long as I can.

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  Great car... when it works - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Steve - June 16 - 9:40 pm

  A very fun car to drive, with great mileage and design--but expensive and time consuming to maintain once its out of warranty. We made the mistake of buying one at 80,000 miles. In the first 18 months we owned it, it was literally in the shop more often than not. Most of the problems werent that major, but there were many, many problems and the parts were expensive (and VW sent wrong/broken parts every single time). In 2.5 years it depreciated about $7500 and we spent thousands in repairs, but only got to drive about 20,000 miles. Also, lots of buzzing/creaking inside the car, and exterior cosmetic parts fall off way too easily.

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  Expect Improvement Once Broken In - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Artback - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Had some intial trouble with the CD player which was replaced under warranty. In this same service call, the dealer replaced the ignition coils (note well known problem in 2003). 0-60 time has improved from 7.4 secs to 6.7 secs (vs. new) at 5,000 miles. This car is great on the highway, and during Chicagos 1st serious snowfall of the year, I have discovered what this car is all about. 2 tons on 4 wheels with 8 cylinder power and a Quattro system is close to automotive Heaven. There are few performance sedans (i.e. Subaru WRX STi here) that move as sure- footedly in the snow. ESC stability control is a real bonus.

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  12 Times in Shop in 1 year - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Newk - June 15 - 3:03 pm

  It is a shame that this car has rubbed me the wrong way because I really like the Passats, espeically the new 2006 model. I have had the engine cleaned 3 times because of oil sludge, I have changed it with sythetic oil religiously. The majority of the time, VW has waived any cost, but it is a hasele to take it in every week. Simply changing the battery or air filter requires a trip to the shop. I had both the daytime wiring harnesses replaced and the daytime light replaced twice in one year. I also had work done on the CV joint, brakes, and the check engine light came on twice. I love the car, but it would take some convincing to buy another.

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  Cutest Little Thing! - 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By lovemycabrio8 - June 15 - 9:46 am

  Before I bought my 2000 Cabrio 4 years ago, I looked up consumer reviews and was horrified. Fortunately, I ignored the postings and went ahead and bought one. omg! The best thing I could have done! Not only do you get great gas mileage, it fits everywhere. The check engine light came on twice in 4 years and both times all I did was open the hood and take a look. The first time, a thick rubber tube got old and had a whole in it. Cost me $2.00 & 15 minutes to change. This last time, a small rubber tube disconnected. I put it in its place, and 15 miles later, check engine light turned off. Im a female musician, not a mechanic and I figured it out! Use common sense, and you will be just fine!

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  2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 5-speed PK2 - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MPGeez! - June 15 - 7:13 am

  First, Im disappointed VW removed most of the convenience features found on the 2005.5 Jettas. The car is reasonably fun to drive and handles better than my former car (03 Maxima SE). Its not a speedster and performs about the same as my last Jetta (85 GL gasser). Oddly enough from the inside it sounds a bit like my old 66 Bug. This is a decent mid-level commuter car with European demeanor. Im getting 45 mpg with a 5-speed. Its a Volkswagen through and through. Theres minimal clatter, smoke and diesel odor, but the car does require a bit more user maintenance and attention than a 4-cyl. gasser: special oil, diesel additives, driving habits, etc. Its really a mileage geeks car.

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  Drives Great...When Not in the Shop - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tony - June 15 - 3:30 am

  I like the way this car drives, but even though the engine works fine, everything else is breaking. My car has a cracked sunroof frame, problems with its door locks, and water is leaking into it, etc... My car has had more waranty work done on it than all my other cars combined, after only three years (I bought it new). I am ready to get rid of it before the waranty expires.