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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  Dump this car after 100k - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By astrivian - August 27 - 4:54 am

  I bought a 2006 Jetta TDI that had endless problems right off of the lot. A week after buying it, the car would choke and lose all power. I took it in, they said they fixed it, and it happened again, and around and around we went. Finally i told the dealer i wanted a new car for free and they could take the lemon. It took the BBB to finally get me a new car. It was great until we hit 130k on the odo. Once we crossed this mark we spent $1,200 fixing a hissing sound, $900 trying to fix some engine light problem (which didnt fix it, go figure). Two months later the turbo went out ($3000). Did not fix turbo, not worth it, dumped the car. Last one i will buy

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  great gas milage - 2011 Volkswagen Routan
  By criminal - August 25 - 3:14 am

  I have owned this vehicle since August of 2011. I have put only 8600 miles on the vehicle, and have made to extended trips, one of over 500 miles. On that trip I filled up at start and drove 276 miles. I drove between 65-70 mph, made one stop, and got over 30 miles per gallon actual. I had issues with the vehicles cruise control. Sometimes it will work, sometimes not. Has been to dealer twice and whatever they did, cruise still not working properly. Also have noticed a jerking feeling frquently when backing. Dealership said they know of problem but to date they have not fixed it. I like the car overall. Drives well, fairly quiet on road. The free oilchanges for 36 months a plus.

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  Fun to drive but many problems - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By osucowboy86 - August 19 - 8:08 am

  Bought new in 2011. Really liked the look of the car and the performance of the car. Gas mileage was superb. Was a good car until about 25,000 miles then problems started happening. The AC compressor got out. The radio had to be replaced 4 times. There was also a short in the ignition system. Thankfully they were all covered under the warranty, but it was a pain to have to take it in to the dealership. Also the DSG transmission is the worst.

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  Expensive Problems - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By LawHoo - August 14 - 4:06 pm

  My Passat was a great car until we hit 45,000 miles. Then we needed to replace the secondary air pump ($600), then the brakes, now at 58,000 miles the secondary air pump is out again ($600) and the tie rods need to be replaced ($500), plus the paint is peeling off of the bumper (no accidents). Oh yeah, the control for the outside mirrors fell off. I love the car but the maintenance has become a bit much to bear.

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  What happened to Volkswagen - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By goof - August 11 - 3:06 pm

  This is my sixth and last VW. I am very disappointed! The suspension is extremely stiff, jarring, and very jittery. It is impossible to find any comfortable settings for the thinly padded drivers seat. Driving 300 inner-city miles a week is causing me hip and back pain! The electronic throttle programming doesnt seem compatible with the manual transmission. i.e. hard to engage the clutch smoothly. I have driven manual transmissions for 27 years and never stalled so much. I never experienced these issues with the last five VWs I have owned. Since almost all VWs are now based on the Golf V, I am now shopping for a non VW replacement.

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  Cute but crappy - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By luvely21 - August 7 - 8:23 pm

  Took it in the next day after purchase to service the driver window because it didnt want to go up.The interior melts in the sun.Switches in the car fall off,like window switches. Cupholders detach therefore, i have a big orange juice stain on the passenger floor.Replaced both headlights at least once every year, very expensive, due to labor.VW made it difficult for customers to do themselves.Head of car hit pavement going over bumps.Forgot how many times I took it to get something fixed or replaced.AC filter needed to be cleaned within the 1st year and VW charged me for that. Hubcaps fell off in the 1st year of ownership.I hate this car.Even my Sentra from the 80s treated me better.

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  Dont Buy This Car If You Want Quality - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By nickg - August 7 - 8:10 pm

  I am completely and absolutely disgusted with VW. I have to wait for a zone rep to approve repairs on a car that was driven home from the dealer and once to my job. I am not using it again.The field rep isnt coming unil the 27th of this month so I am out a car till then. They are going be over the time (lemon law) before it is fixed. Period end of story, game over. How pathetic is it that I buy a new car and cant use it for over a month because some rep has to "approve" paint and windshield repair? If you are a quality minded person, then you should go elsewhere, VW doesnt care about you...they just want your money.

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  VW fan, NOT Jetta fan - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By theodore - August 3 - 3:20 am

  I see many reviews ment std maint as a repair. Ive owned my VW for 11 yrs and spent $2,500 for rep. Repl brake pads (30K mi), spark plugs, dist cap, & rotor (15K mi), fuel filter (15K mi), clean K&N air filter (15K mi), repl belts, gask, & hoses, tim belt 70K-80K mi, etc. My eng & man trans have been great (orig clutch, but slips on occ). The elect & cool syst are horr! I did repl the throttle body asmb 2X, ign switch, starter, drivers side lock to disable the alarm (still arms random), drivers window reg, MAS air-flow sens, etc. I have NO A/C, heat, or defog (switch melted) & NO cruise & horn. Key doesnt work in trunk lock & pass door. Temp, fuel, spd, & odom guages work on occasion.

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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.