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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  01 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8L Wolfsburg Ed. - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andrew - May 31 - 8:20 pm

  I just recently bought my 2001 Jetta. I have heard of all of the problems and concerns they have. I did my research and in my opinion it is worth it. If you buy a Volkswagen you must realize that one; it is an ALL GERMAN MADE VEHICLE. Most cars on the road, whether it be Toyota, Honda, Subuaru or Audi, most of the parts are made in America. Excluding 2008 models, VWs are exclusively made in Germany, especially engine parts, hoses, etc. I have had to put some work and money into it but for the gas mileage, performance, handling and safety, I love it. Plus I enjoy learning about my car and how to fix it. It has flaws, all cars do, and VWs take a bit extra work, but to me it is worth it!!!

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  Nice Little Car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Rick - May 31 - 3:30 pm

  I bought my 2001 Volkswagen Jetta GL brand new and Im still happy with it. The styling is awesome, materials first rate, and design well above the others. After owning this car and its features and design you get sort of spoiled. I love the struts on the trunk and front hood, daytime lights, how all the buttons light up at night, the auto locks, dual lit vanity mirrors, etc. However, it is as others have said, built in Mexico, so some parts are painted and will peel away after a few years. The paint is the same color as the plastic, so you could always peel all the paint off and be fine. Some things are expensive to fix and youll be in the shop at least once a year. Still, this car has served us well.

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  Joy Ride - 2007 Volkswagen EOS
  By suzy - May 31 - 12:43 pm

  It is so fun to drive and the turbo is much more zippy than the 6 cylinder model that I test drove. My only apprehension was the small trunk space (coming from a Murano) when the top was down. I have managed to stuff 10 shopping bags into the trunk and what I cant get into the trunk I just put in the car. Its a little gem and my little secret. Its rather unassuming from the outside, especially when the top is up, but I know all of its secrets! Its a beautiful car and much bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Helen - May 30 - 9:06 am

  As the owner of a pre-turbo 1986 VW diesel I was certain of the car I wanted. I found it online, bought it and test drove it on the way home. The two big tests came when I approached the 45 mph S turns and the long, steep hill I travel frequently. My older diesel struggled to crest the hill at 50 mph after down shifting. The TDI sailed through the S turns at 65 mph and easily maintained 65 up the hill in 5th gear using cruise control. The power, handling through curves, and smooth transmission have made driving a fun experience. VW also seems to have improved the interior plastic parts problems. I hope I can get 18 trouble free years from the TDI just as I did from the 86.

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  This vehicle will bring you PROBLEMS - 2014 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ryanrw - May 30 - 3:32 am

  The car itself is a nice looking car. It drives well, tight steering, plenty of torque, and gets great fuel economy. After 5 separate trips to the dealership, however, I am no longer a fan. Sales experience was also terrible. I was rushed out the door and never recieved an overview of all the features of the vehicle. I have been back to the dealership to have the following addressed on different occasions: 1. Windows wouldnt roll down 2. Windshield was installed improperly at the factory and made noise 3. Horn wouldnt work 4. Back up camera wouldnt work 5. Hazard lights randomly come on at ignition and wont shut off 6. Loud bang followed by glow plug light and check engine lig

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  Never Owning a VW Again! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By luckymeblp - May 29 - 9:46 am

  I bought the car new in 2002 and now am at 82,000. Have had issues with headlights constantly burning out, leaks in the carpet causing mold, the sand colored cloth interior dirties easily and is impossible to clean. The rubber coating on things peel, the tint peeled the first year, things break off all over the place, the sunroof opens randomly on its own and nearly all of the dash has shorted out at one point. It is incredibly expensive to have anything repaired or replaced (which happens quite often). Also, having it repaired at the dealer is astronomically pricey, so just prepare to pay a lot for anything to be fixed... and mechanics hate to see you come in b/c its difficult to fix.

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  VWROOOOOM - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mark - May 29 - 8:26 am

  I love my new Volkswagen Passat 2.0T. It is so unique and a real head turner. The Turbo 2.0 feels like a little Jet and the Tiptronic transmission is a blast. This is a cice car that beats the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord hands down, with a bit of style too. I compare it to the BMW 5-Series easily.

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  My GTI - 2007 Volkswagen GTI
  By Lorraine - May 28 - 10:13 pm

  This car is great fun to drive. Sometimes I wish we did not have speed limits. I am an older woman, driving a bright red GTI manual. Loving it, simply loving it. It holds the road like no other. I had an Audi A4, 1997. That car was also manual. My GTI seems quicker,and equally great to drive.

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  Love my Jetta - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jeff - May 28 - 6:20 pm

  My Jetta is the most fun car I have ever driven. I recommend it to all my friends and family. It has a nice happy medium between performance and safety and it also gets really good gas mileage.

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  Favorite Diesel - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Diesel Power - May 27 - 4:40 pm

  I chose the diesel option for it super mileage and I am not disappointed. My commute is 30 miles each way, 90% highway speeds and I average 48 mpg! On a trip to Florida I got in the low 50s driving 70 miles per hour. Front seat are comfortable but back seats are too small for large adults. The heat and cooling controls are too low and you have to take your eyes off the road to adjust them.