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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  Fine - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By LauraSuz - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I like my Jetta because it is reliable. I am looking into a bigger car now and will most likely buy a Jetta Stationwagon.

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  Nice to drive but High maintenance - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Nicole Smith - August 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is great to drive but has had many things break. Many problems with the emissions system and the mass air flow sensors. Also problems with the windows not working right and going off track. This been extremely frustrating and inconvenient, but it has never left me stranded.

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  Title of Review - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By mojogoboom - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I havent had my car for long...little over a week...but so far I love it. Ive already taken it on several road trips and am in love with how smoothly the car handles turns, bumps, dips, and other road conditions. Its so smooth its almost easy to forget Im driving and easy to speed! Its so comfortable that I could sleep in it! Great car overall. Sporty, efficient, smooth, classy, quick, and powerful. A luxury car with sporty features and plenty of room.

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  Artificially Sweet - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Artificially Sweet - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Do not buy this car unless you love going to the repair shop. My BUG was “Artificially Sweet”. With-in the last five months my old car has been in the shop three times for the same reason– will not start, always some starter problem. VW has decided to build the complete car in Mexico where QA is not the most important thing, but cost is. VW cars are a good example of poor QA. The car has been in the shop about 7 to 8 times for some “BUG” problem with-in the last two years. I just hate coming out of a restaurant, get into my new car and have the car not start. No more little kids seeing my car and playing the “punch game”.

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  Saved my life - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ali Griffin - August 1 - 12:20 pm

  About four days ago I was in a head on collision with a Chevy Suburban in a canyon. I walked away with glass shards in my arm and that is it. My friend who was in the passenger seat walked away without a scratch. Even the highway patrolman said the way the car handled the impact is what saved our lives. I loved that car, too bad it is totalled and completely unsalvageable. Thank you Volkswagen for making a car that passengers can feel safe in!

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  Enjoyed this wagon! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By collmm - July 31 - 7:36 pm

  I reviewed my Passat in Oct 04. I loved my car & was incredibly sad when I was finally forced to trade her @ 110K miles. I wanted to drive her to 250K! Smooth ride, quick acceleration, excellent braking, tight turning radius, style-a beautiful combination of performance & design. The exterior & interior still looked nearly new. Truly a well built car. So why did I trade such a wonderful car? Your cant license a vehicle in St. Louis with Check Engine Light codes. The dealer was unable to correct the emissions issue for 2 years. Additional repairs would START at $4000 (pre-cats, gas tank & lines). VW refused to help though some issues were under recall! VW lost a loyal customer!

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  Great Car. Has annoying road noise - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By Chris - July 31 - 1:34 pm

  Bought this car brand new. Love it! Except for the wind noise in the back right window. Took it to the dealer they did some test and pretty much told me tough luck wait until a service bulletin to come out. Not a great first impression. Now I have a brand new car with a noise and it audible and very annoying. I encourage everyone to please submit complaints directly to VW Owner Care that way we as consumers can get them to back there products correctly!

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  Great Little Car - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By 0202GTI - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Runs great. Easy to chip. Early models had rough idle that took out the coils. Many complaints about window regulators. Otherwise a real treat.

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  Another SUPERIOR German product!! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VWKING - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 18th VW 2200 miles ago and I couldnt be happier. Its the GLI with 204 hp and a buttery smooth 6 speed tranny makes it feels like a Balistic Missile!!

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  Great until something happens - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Marissa - July 31 - 6:56 am

  I have had my Rabbit for 2 years and have loved driving it. The problem with this car is that, when something happens to it (or even when you need an oil change), youll be put in the poor house. Beware, the Rabbit is very high-maintenance and pricey once off-the-lot. I was lightly rear-ended, small dent: $900. I drove a dirt road leading to a mountain hiking trail and hit a bump, transmission needs to be replaced: $7000. Even an oil change: $90. I will be saving the $7000 needed to put in a new transmission and choosing a reliable, low-maintenance Japanese car, like I had before.