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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  Dont Do It! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mikejones5 - January 4 - 3:53 pm

  Worst purchase I have bought! 135K and here is the work I have done: O2 sensor Catalytic Converter Water Pump Timing Belt All bulbs Bumper Clips (3 Times) Hub caps (on going)

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  Do Not Buy - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brian A. - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst car I have owned. There are continous problems with starting the car. The service department cannot determine the cause. They will do anything not to give you a loaner vehicle.

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  DO NOT BUY - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Mary C - December 27 - 1:13 am

  High expectations for this model turned into nothing but a series of problems. Drive shaft at 17,000 miles, remove and install prop shaft at 17,000, new stepper motor at 16,000 relocate antenna, replace rear hatch glass latch, 11,000 miles, remove and install differential motor 17,000, defective wheel on board notice on going finally installed new computer system, new tires first 15,000 miles. I could go on and on. The straw at 85,000 needs another drive shaft and possibly a differential, cost 2000 to 6000. Continuing vibration when driving went unaddressed until it was out of warranty. Volkswagen offered us 1500 towards the purchase of a new car. DO NOT PURCHASE A TOUREG!

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  Steer away - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By Tom - December 21 - 8:51 pm

  The electronics are designed to where you have to take it to the dealer for check light resets, the radios go out and are expensive to replace. I bought mine with 80,000 miles, the check engine light came on everytime I started it. The reset only lasted 2 weeks. I took it to the dealer, he told me they have the only computer that will reset it. He was right. If vw offers to buy it back, Ill sell it back and never buy another.

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  Piece of Crap - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By CB - December 12 - 3:56 am

  My wife & i bought this car with 45k, from day one, the car has been a piece of crap. the car died 7 days after we bought it. after that the mechanical problems, engine light on. for some reason the passenger door wont open unless its from the outside, the trunk release dont work. the engine lights stays on. catalytic converter replaced light still on, new engine mount. engine light still on. engine rumbles the car shakes more than a rattle snake. car in the shop now, needs new wheel bearing, complete tune up $1200. 4 time this year car been fixed. car needs oil change every 1500 miles. right side speakers blew up. Never again will buy a VW. They are worthless.

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  2006 VW GTI Nightmare - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By kevin clinton - December 8 - 1:13 pm

  I purchased a 2006 GTI in June. My vehicle is has less than 3,000 miles on it. I gave it to my son for doing well in high school and earning a college scholarship. On his first trip to school from Clearwater, FL to Florence, SC the A/C compressor cracked in half, backed off the enginge and shreded the belt. He made it as far as Orlando. The parts are back ordered three weeks. The mechanic at VW informed me that he has three Passats waiting for the same part. It appears to be a recall candidate, yet VW America denies any issues. I purchased this vehicle for piece of mind as my sons campus is about 500 miles away and it breaks down on first trip to school. VWs customer service has been terrible. Beware, 2006 GTI may be fun to drive, but it has problems.

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  GTI GLX is overpriced junk - 2000 Volkswagen GTI
  By VW Enemy - December 8 - 6:13 am

  I recently sold my VW after driving it for over 30K miles bacause its rusting the suspension is worn out, unless VW intended the car to drive like a Buick after a year on the road brakes needed to be serviced side windows repeatedly break, dealership repeatedly failed to fix them RATTLES! Pick a spot and youll find noises when driving. What the hell is rattling in the roof? GOLF? Thats funny. A golf bag doesnt even fit in the trunk.

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  Worst car EVER! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By bobeans11 - December 5 - 5:20 pm

  Do not buy this car! It is so unreliable. It has been nothing but a nuisance since I bought it 2 years ago w/problems from a constant "low tire pressure" indicator flashing, a constant "check engine" indicator flashing (only to disappear a day or two later ...), problem burning oil (you have to get it changed every 3,000 or you will be stranded on the roadside), poor roadside assistance service, faulty braking system, the list goes on and on! I will never, ever buy from VW again; terribly overpriced for such poor quality manufacturing!

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  Do NOT Purchase! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rachel14 - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This car is such a headache! I am in the works of purchasing a new vehicle because at 95,000 my transmission has to be rebuilt at a upwards of $4,500! The car is not even worth that! I have only had this vehicle for nearly 4 years and have had to take it in at least two times a year to have major costly fixes. Volkswagens require a lot of care because they are poorly made. It is very hard to find mechanics that know how to service a Volkswagen which makes it more expensive when you find one that does. My advice is to stay away and do not invest your money. Please do your research before hand and read up on all the complaints.

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  Unbelievable - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By PLEASE READ - December 3 - 7:16 pm

  I bought this SUV in late 2004. It has been the in the shop at least twelve times over the past 36 months. Went through five batteries before a recall came out to fix the battery cables. I was told that I always have to leave my car locked in order to not drain the battery. I went to trade it in and was offered only $21,000. Then I went to CarMax and was offered $22,000. This truck only has 30,000 miles on it and both CarMax and the dealer said it would be rated as excellent, which KBB and Edmunds say the trade in value should be $24000, and that a third party sale would be $28,000. This vehicle is such a loss. I am so disappointed in how this value has dropped so much. It is going to cost me money to get out of this vehicle.