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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  Never Again - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By das_junk - April 30 - 2:49 pm

  My 2010 VW Jetta TDI sportwagen was fine for the first 4 thousand miles then it has been nothing short of a nightmare. In 2.5 years this TDI has been in the shop over 80 days for check engine and service now (glow plug flashing) at this point the car just quits when it feels like it. Parts, parts and more parts has yet keep this VW on the road. Driving down the road no warning..Quits!, make a turn and hit a pothole..Quits! Trade-in value at VW dealers is 4 to 5 thousand dollars off bluebook because of the "issue" with this car. Customer care would only offer 1 thousand dollars and refused to swap for a same year and milage VW.Make things right..guess not. Hitlers dream is my nightmare

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  Junk - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Bud - April 30 - 2:30 pm

  Do not buy the Volkswagen Passat. Ive owned mine for ten months now and its been in and out of the dealership for a total of about two months. My problems started three months after I bought this car. Im plagued with electrical problems and powertrain problems. The dealership and Volkswagen say there is nothing wrong with my car, yet I have to take it back at least once a month because it doesnt run. When I ask about them taking this lemon off my hands both the dealer and VW tell me to take a hike. I am fed up and wouldnt wish this auto on my worst enemy. Whatever you do, do not buy a VW. Save your money and sanity and buy something else!

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  Will Keep you posted - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By Sean - April 29 - 3:36 pm

  Just traded my 08" APR stage 2 tuned VW GTI yesterday. That car kicked constant butt...This CC is totally a different animal with similar guts. This CC will get the APR tune this week and should be in the range of 252- 262HP for a APR stage 1 tune. I just love the looks of the CC and the Mercedes CLS...this is my Volkcedes! Will post more after the APR tune.

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  Smells of rubber - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By nomoorevws - April 29 - 9:53 am

  I loved this car. Told everyone to get one. Some did. Now I feel bad because it is a NIGHTMARE to have repaired. I feel like I am playing chance. Maybe they will find the problem, maybe they wont. There is always a HUGE labor bill and a car returned to me that still smells and misfires. There is a FEAR about taking the car to a non dealer, yet I feel that the dealer service is equally befuddled by the prolific problems with this car. Have a Sienna with 125k mi that has never needed anything except routine service. So far Passat - O 2 sensor, valve cover gaskets, check engine problems,pervasive oil leaks,broken seat, lame bumper, door sensor broke which triggered fuel pump/spark plug prob

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  2011 VW Tiguan SE - Fits the big and tall! - 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By thegrick - April 29 - 9:04 am

  I just leased my 2011 Tiguan SE last week after many months of deliberation. First off, I am 65", so that basically eliminates 40% of all cars right off the bat. The Tiguan has more than enough leg and head room for me, and someone can realistically fit behind me when my seat is all the way back. That puts the car at an A for driver and passenger comfort. Also, when you are in the Tiguan, you absolutely know that you are driving a European auto...the way it handles, the solid build quality all around, and the feel of complete control over the road. Overall, VW put a huge emphasis on attention to detail with this vehicle; every function is useful and well thought out. Great interior!

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  Nice car when its not in service dept - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dave - April 29 - 2:33 am

  Ive had this car a month and its been in VW service for half of that time with three different episodes of having the check engine light on (oxygen sensor replaced, EGR gasket replaced, software update). I suspect they disconnected the check engine light after the last time... Ive also had the windshield cracked by a rock... When I can drive the car its been very good. The fuel economy is astounding - 40 mpg in mixed driving 47-50 on the highway. Interior is very nice with high quality materials and finish for this class of car. Touch screen stereo is nice. Large trunk. The car overall seems very solid and the handling is first rate. Bluetooth has been funky - after one call it shuts off.

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  Beware the Turbo - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Let Down by VW - April 29 - 1:00 am

  I purchased this car off lease with only 32,000 KM on it in 2002, price was high but it had all the bells and whistles and the extremely low mileage was a bonus. In 2003 a fuel injector went and was replaced under warranty. By 2004 the back lighting for the center console were not working and by 2005 the cruise control was also shot. 2006 the inner and outer tie rods we shot and the lug bolts had seized in the hubs needing to be cut out and new hubs installed. Known design issue but not recalled. Finally in January of 2008, at 100,000KM the timing belt went and the engine seized. I got about $1000 from the wrecker who was surprised as he said most go at about 170,000KM.

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  bes awd vehicle ever built - 2004 Volkswagen R32
  By R32FREAK - April 28 - 10:00 am

  like the title said best car ever!! i turboed mine and estimate about 325hp to the wheels ran a 11.9 on stock tires.

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  Economy car with luxury maintenance cost - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Keiller - April 28 - 10:00 am

  How does $10/liter for oil sound? Thats what my dealer tried to sell it to me for. I went online and bought it for $6.40/Liter. How does $34/liter for transmission fluid sound? Thats what my dealer wants. Again, I went online and found it for half that (which is still outrageous!). I wanted fuel efficiency and thats why I bought the Jetta TDI, but its an expensive car to operate. Buy a Honda...I wish I had.

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  Most Reliable Vehicle - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Athomas - April 28 - 5:16 am

  I have owned my 2014 Passat for almost two years. I took a step down from the CC which I miss very much and the only reason for some 4 stars is comparing to the CC in performance which is to be expected as the CC is a high performance vehicle. I have had no problems with the Passat. It is the utmost reliable vehicle I have ever owned and for that reason, I am holding onto her. I am a high mileage driver and plan to keep her for at least 100K although the VWs are strong vehicles that I know they go way over 100K (I should have kept my CC as I was spoilt with performance but at 100k, I chicken a little bit as a single parent. My highest recommendations go to the Passat on looks, reliability and price.