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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  One year old, already falling apart... - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By eroesch - December 23 - 6:53 am

  Bought this car a year ago and right when the warranty (3yr/36000) went out I started having problems cranking the car and turning it off. This is at 40,000 miles, only 4000 over the warranty. So I took it to the dealer to see what was wrong and they tell me that the ignition cylinder is worn out!! Okay, first of all there shouldnt be any parts worn out after only ONE YEAR of use. Thats ridiculous. And because the warranty is out I have to pay for it! Tell me something isnt wrong with this picture. Weve brought the car in for every maintenance time and take of it. Apparently, the construction is crap... Not a happy customer.

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  Not Particularly Happy - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By chris love - December 8 - 7:16 am

  Today I sit in the service department for approximately the 10th time in 2 years for yet another repair that has nothing to do with regularly scheduled maintenance. I purchased a new car to avoid this type of situation. Its a cutie, but it has ultimately been a disappointment as far as quality, especially electrical components. I am trading it in for a more boring but infinitely more reliable Japanese model after today. If you have a lot of time on your hands to spend in service dept waiting rooms this is the car for you! good luck...youve been warned!

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  Total Electrical Failure! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By RPD - December 8 - 4:56 am

  I purchased an off-lease VW Touareg that was VW certified, drove well for 1 year then electrical problems started. Truck would just die without any lights, etc being on. Since then it has been in and out of Volkswagen for complete electrical failure, even VW doesnt know how to fix it. They claimed it was after-market wiring which is strange because it was a certified used VW. Anyone looking to buy a used Touareg dont do it you will never be able to drive it and pay almost more than the car is worth fixing it!

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  VW Service is for the Birds - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Missing Amplifier - December 3 - 10:00 am

  With a missing amplifier at our purchase, to 4 years of sound system problems, I am fed up with VWs lack of responsibility for their product. After 2 1/2 years of daignosis on an poorly installed amplifier, we thought our days of leaving the Jetta for service all day were over. Wrong, now a little over a year later we are back with the same issue and Don Jacobs VW in Lexington, KY will not revisit their work to check the issue and VW of America will not support the consumer because the years warranty on the replaced parts is now over. Consumers will spend more time at the dealership (without resolve) than enjoying their brand new cars!

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  dont be Fooled - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jonathan - November 30 - 8:30 pm

  My 2005 Volkswagen Touareg V8 is a great looking vehicle with much appeal. After that it is all downhill. The Touareg is built very poorly and VWs customer service is the worst. The VW service center admits that many Touareg owners are extremely unhappy. Stay away! the BMW X5 is a great alternative.

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  MY VW LEMON - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By KATHYL94 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought a new 2002 vw passat in April 2002.In August when I was driving with my baby the car started shaking and would not accelarate above 20MPH. My dealership said it was a defective ignition coil, they replaced it. On October 31st the same thing happened again with my baby in the car.Long story short today is November 20 and I still dont have my car back, yesterday they told me it would at least be another 2 weeks they are waiting for a new batch of ignition coils,they are all defective.Also radio had stopped working and front right speaker is cracked. So much for the premium audio package!

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  VWs have problems - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ihatemycar - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I have taken my car to the shop SOOOOO many times. It constantly has electrical problems and does not qualify for the lemon law. When i go into the shop there are always other angry VW drivers there regretting purchasing this car as I do. Dont get suckered in by its cuteness. These cars will break.

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  disappointed - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dbb - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Mechanically the worst car I ever owned. Nearly doubled the purchase price in repairs in 2 and a half years. Big bummer.

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  Dont even consider this year! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jessica - November 29 - 8:56 am

  I bought a Jetta as my first car. Parents thought it was great because of the safety features and gas mileage, blah blah blah, and what teenage girl doesnt want a cute little Jetta? Since the very week after buying it, its had nothing but problems. Computer glitches, leaks,AC wont work, malfunctions, and mysteries that the dealership seems incapable to fix. I love my car, but at the same time, I expected it to be a long term, reliable car. And its proving to cost more than I ever anticipated. The engine has been great, its just that every other possible thing that could go wrong, has and will. Dont even consider an 02 Jetta.

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  Crappy Passat - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By Aarons - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is being repaired every month. Power Windows keep breaking, VW known defect, suspension, bearings, wheel hub. Looks great but what a piece of expensive crap.