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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  Jetta 01 diesel - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jcas - March 22 - 10:00 am

  It took six months to delivery due to the US limit on imported diesel engines: an unfair conflict with fuel efficiency which provided a tax rebate on our 1981 diesel Rabbit (sold in 95) Performance has been excellent; 48-50 mpg on cross-country trips with AC, 75mph. Two equipment notices for for free replacement of parts. Oil changes and such at dealer very expensive unless you provide your own oil/other. Overall dealer mechanical work so-so. Service desk personnel very helpful.

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  Touareg destined for Offroad - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Ravensmith - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Touareg with the intent of using it as a true SUV/SAV. It was for my wife to haul the kids around town, for us to go camping with, and for me to take offroad with my Jeep Friends. The air suspension is AMAZING and the torque the V6 puts out has kept me up with the best of them. Fear of scratching the paint is the ONLY think that keeps me from going some places. Ive been offroad on SEVERAL Difficult rated course throughout southern Califonia and the TRex will NOT let you down. Many Pictures with two wheels in the air and still moveing forward in a straight line! And the BRAKES!!! DAMN!!!

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  04 Touareg Review - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By dnr - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Dealerships not well prepared at launch with knowledge of vehicle, technical support or parts support and inventory. Vehicle is most pleasing due to interior design, exterior design, overall comfort / ride comfort and extreme capability off-road and in snow. The combination of interior & exterior design and appearance, fit and finish combined with quiet, comfortable ride together with outstanding off-road capability and very respectable street performance put it squarely in direct competetion with the much more expensive Range-Rover.

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  Passat GLS 1.8 Tip - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By lreven - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We love this vehicle. Gets looks! I miss the days when less people drove VWs.

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  Cute, but at a pricy - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By sherry - March 22 - 5:26 am

  I have to say, I love my Beetle Convertible, but I am not impressed with VWs reliability or dealer service. In less than 19,000 miles my Beetle has COMPLETELY broken down twice, and I had to have it towed both times through roadside assistance. In fact the first one was on my way home from vacation in Florida, and the delay was not a pleasant expereience. So far Ive had the entire ignition system replaced, new battery and alternator and most recently had to have the front bumper removed just to fix a broken sensor. (A "quick" 6 business day fix) I think VW is right on target with their design and engineering, but they just dont make it all work. I will not be buying another VW.

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  If you want economy, you must pay for it! - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bud8138 - March 22 - 5:00 am

  We have a 2009 Jetta TDI with 115,000 miles on it. It gets great fuel economy, is fun to drive, looks good.....BUT....The regular maintenence costs will negate that great fuel economy, especially if you have the 6 speed automatic transmission, which is actually two manual transmissions in one case that is shifted hydraullicly. It requires regular maintenence every 80,000 miles tat makes one think they are buying a new tranny. Add to that a new timing belt at 90,000 miles that will run another $1200. So you see, you pay for that economy. I love the car but will not buy another. Oh yeah, a faulty fuse holder for one bank of headlights is another $520.00.

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  I love this car! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jettalover - March 22 - 3:40 am

  We traded our 2003 TDI Jetta for the 2006 model at the end of last year, and we love it even more than our 03! Its much roomier and very comfortable on a trip. My daughter has much more room in the back than she did before as well. We get great gas mileage, and its actually quieter than the 2003 was.

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  2 weeks and already down for repair - 2012 Volkswagen GTI
  By kkastner - March 22 - 3:22 am

  Love the Euro-feel of the car, hate the owner experience...only two weeks in and already proving to be what I feared it would be. Flywheel was defective and the car has 600 miles on it. Sitting outside at the dealer in the rain with the transmission out. Waiting for VW parts. Not encouraging, especially given that Ive already been down a negative road with VW/Audi in the past. If this one lemons out, it will be the 3rd out of 4 cars that VW is going to buy back. 1995 Golf (my first ever new car) - bought back by VW with engine and wheel bearing issues (1,200 miles) 2000 Audi A4 - great, never had a problem 2004 Audi Allroad - bought back by VW/Audi with electrical issues 2012 GTI - TBD

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  It has been a nightmare - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Juan R - March 21 - 10:30 pm

  I bought this brand-new-vehicle 3 months ago, and soon I noticed an unexpected oil consumption. I took it to the VW dealer (where I bought it from) and the diag.results were: * 20km-road-test ->300ML oil consumption (They said "Any oil consumption is abnormal") * Transmission problems * Gear system issue * Brakes issue I want to return the vehicle, and get my money back, but they say they will just fix it. I have not had any other choices since the law here only makes them fix the issues, and does not let clients get a vehicle replacement, nor their money back. I am still talking to VW corporate in Mexico, with no luck yet. Anyone knows where to submit a complain outside of Mexico?

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  Pretty Awesome for low 20k price tag - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jim Jones - March 21 - 3:04 pm

  Dont understand what the only other review left for the 2017 Passat even has to do with the car.. Clearly the TDI engine is NOT available anymore, but 1.8T is a workhorse if nothing else that provides a compliant and efficient drive. App connect software is great. Can buy one for 22k, which is great.