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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  VW Farfrumworking - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tarrytown - October 8 - 10:00 am

  I will never buy another VW. My transmission went at 97000 and had a costly engine coil replacement at 85,000. After 2 years of owning the car I have replaced virtually everything. The suspension has been a nightmare and the service I have received from VW has been even worse. I have experienced numerous electrical problem, the ride stinks and with the cost of repairs I could be driving a Bentley for less. Unfortunately, its been a big disappointment for me.

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  Buying this Jetta was a big mistake!! - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mark_louis - October 8 - 10:00 am

  It seamed like a nice car at first.. I bought it used with 34kmi heres what it cost me in the last 5kmi. Broken glove box hinge $300. MAP sensor problem $350. Ignition coil $690. I still have transmission shift problems, a water leak on the drivers door and a trunk light that doesnt work.

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  Nothing but Problems - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By gobills - October 1 - 9:33 pm

  It started out being a nice car, but since then it has been nothing but headaches. It seems like one thing after another something goes wrong. 1st off the power windows quit working, and now the check engine light keeps coming on and VW doesnt no how to fix it. All in all this is my 1st VW and it will be my last.

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  99 Jetta GLS VR6 - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By kgbarlow - September 30 - 8:46 pm

  Fun to drive and looks hot, but the reliabilty is poor. Since it is the first year of the new model, the kinks were not worked out. Numerous problems with electronics. Yet, it is a sporty drive.

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  New car seems used - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dissd by VW - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Car came covered in rail rust, orange spots dealer then removed by scratching entire finish. Had broken floor mat clip and fuse box cover.2 wks later- radio died. 3 wks to replace. Rotors were warped-dealer said that can happen as new cars sit in lot! Tire blew Labor DAy 2002, to this day dealer has never called w/tire, tire mfr replaced free when they heard how badly we were treated. Car vibrated over 40, dealer didnt believe us, 3 visits & wasnt fixed. Dash & roof now alternately hum. Zero customer service from VW. Sign me up for that class action suit

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  Dont buy a Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By mengler975 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I am very disappointed in my Jetta. I have had continuous problems that seem to indicate poor quality construction. The include bad electric window mechanisms, broken driver seat mechanism, bubbling paint on hood, cracked front spash guard in cold weather, easily broken knobs on interior controls, easily stripped anti- theft lug nuts on tires (making it imposible to change tire) and flimsy carpet mat fasteners. I would not buy another Jetta or VW product. The legendary quality is no longer there.

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  Electrical and computer malfunctions - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By R D - September 17 - 7:20 pm

  I owned the V-8 Touareg for 13 months and recently sold it due to unreliability. Had it in for service ten times. Twice the first week I owned it. Numerous electrical malfunctions. Two complete electrical failures when the vehicle would not start. It was necessary to have it towed into dealership on these two occasions. Had problems with all-wheel drive system especially transfer case. Had electrical problems with all-wheel drive system. Experienced electrical problems with doors not locking or unlocking. Before anyone considers buying a Touareg, check Technical Service Bulletins at NHTSA web site. My Touareg experienced almost all of them. BIG depreciation "hit" when I sold it.

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  Electrical Problems - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Burnt - September 15 - 10:00 am

  This car has refused to start on many occasions since purchase. Five times the dealership has tried repairs without success. VW representatives mouth the company line but never fix any problems. We are demanding the car be taken back and will file a lawsuit if they dont. Other websites indicate there are many electrical problems with VW cars and refusing to start is one of them.

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kincaid - September 12 - 3:26 am

  I traded this car in two years ago, and still keep thinking about how awful this car was and felt a need to warn others. It was cute, fun to drive and a real conversation starter, but the quality was TERRIBLE. I would drive down the street and pieces of the car would fall off (both on the exterior and interior). The car was three years old when I sold it because I couldnt afford the maintenance. I spent over $2,000 in an eight week period on various repairs and the dealership still didnt think they had solved one of the problems. This was an emotional purchase because of memories of my fathers 60s Beetle, but a VERY EXPENSIVE trip down memory lane. I will never buy another VW ...

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  Jetta Gone - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JettaGone - September 9 - 5:03 am

  I love the look, the style, the performance - but I hate the fact that I had this thing to the dealer 6 times in 5 months due to the engine light. They changed everything but the armrest, and it was still on when my wife was in a wreck recently. Also, the airbags did not deploy when my wife struck another vehicle with the front of hers at decent speed, totaling the car. I wont own another Jetta, or Volkswagen, or maybe even any European vehicle. Read the reviews carefully, I wish I would have.