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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  awesome but disappointmented - 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By love vw - April 16 - 6:53 pm

  Awesome performance, styling, cool, fun and for the under 50 successful crowd... however, one week after her 5000 checkup, a transmission module went, she wasnt shifting... lights on everywhere. two weeks later at the dealership (did they know what they were doing..........) Returned looks- feels as good as new. Still in love with this unpretenious and elegant automobile. some marketing from corporate might help her future...if not, an orphan.............

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  Awesome Car! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By ServisWorx - April 15 - 11:00 pm

  The interior styling is awesome. The red spot lights over the center console is a feature that I have not seen in any other car. The electronic parking brake is cool (sounds like a space ship landing when you activate it). The handling is not as good as the previous models. The seats dont wrap around you as well either.

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  High Maintenance - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Fuller - April 15 - 12:33 pm

  I really liked the look of the Passat. It drives well, handles good, and gets pretty good gas mileage (24 on average). The brake system is terrible. I have had to have the rotors and the brakes changed every year and most of my daily drive is highway. You have to go to the dealership for every thing (head light replacements, wiper blades, etc.). Ive had to take it to the dealer at least 5 times for recalls. The kicker is the car requires high octane gas. It wont perform well on regular gas.

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  First time VW owner - 2010 Volkswagen CC
  By clockworkpug - April 14 - 6:06 am

  I just came from a BMW Z4M roadster and a BMW 330Ci and I am seriously impressed by this car. You will be hard pressed to find a more luxurious, smooth, and refined car for under $30,000. The car is not fast in the way that a 5-series BMW is, but it is no slouch either. The 2.0 L turbo is a gem of an engine, and the car is as smooth as butter. It does have a fair amount of body roll but then again this car is more Mercedes than it is BMW. The interior is first rate and has near Audi levels of style inside. With the 6-speed manual this car is actually quite fun to drive. There is quite a bit of understeer though, for obvious reasons. The exterior on this car is its piece de resistance!

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  Wish I had done more research - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By unhappyVWowner - April 12 - 2:46 am

  I wish that I had done more investigating when buying my car. I bought my car with less that 5k miles on it, and in the 4 years Ive owned it, I have had the same problems as everyone else. I had to replace the Mass Air Flow sensor; the sensor in my driver side door failed, causing the car to always think it was open; the glove box drawer is broken; and now the driver and passenger power windows are dying. It took $1000 to figure out the MAF sensor, and I became a regular at the car shop. VW has yet to acknowledge any of these issues. I hope to sell it (be rid of it) before anything else dies. This is just a poor quality car.

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  Second Passat Same Results - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By msassano - April 11 - 5:27 pm

  2001 model, 275K, 2nd set of brakes, only repair other than maintenance was tie rod ends. Virtually flawless. Now have a 2007 model, 160K, much stronger engine, fun to drive. No mechanical issues. Biggest issue is the VW dealership in Franklin, TN but the car(s) have been great. Maybe I have been lucky but seriously, no issues. BTW, still on the first set of brakes on the front and second on the rear with 160K. Stepping up to the Audi version with the next car because of the dealership, not the car.

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  Good Value - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By PGal - April 11 - 6:10 am

  Solid, well made German SUV with good handling for the most part. V8 gas mileage is a blended 15. Always has been hesitant off the line, but plenty of power once you are moving, great feel for a driver. Comfortable, well designed. Like the look, like the drive. Interior leather, wood appointments nice, luxury feel. For the money, this is a good luxury SUV, same new platform as Porsche Cayenne. Mechanically well built and doesnt wear out.

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  Fahrvergnugen - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By heme3 - April 11 - 2:40 am

  Good 2 go for a second "fun" car. Purchased used from a VW dealer, everything seems to be fine. Solid ride, little 2.0 engine runs on the cheap gas, convertible works very nicely. By far the coolest convertible you can pick up nowadays for $17K. If you want to go fast, buy something else. This car is for cruising. Almost bought the turbo version, used price is about the same, but the 1.8 turbo engine only runs on 93+ octane. Actually, the 2.0 engine seemed smoother than the 1.8 turbo with the automatic trans. 1.8 turbo with manual was best, tho. New 2.5 engine with automatic is perfect, but was out of my price range.

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  not up to par - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By wendell - April 9 - 10:00 am

  within weeks of purchase, i brought the car in for warranty work. the lights would not flash when arming or disarming the alarm. service said that a fuse was missing. second time was for annoying passenger side doors creaks and rattles. service replaced rear door weather seal and both front doors plastic window clips. creaking and rattling still audible. overall, its an ok car.

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  I love my bug but some complaints - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By paul - April 8 - 6:33 am

  I believe as a VW lover you kinda dont worry about some of the problems/I have realized after owning 3 VWs that they have a lot of electrical problems and you would think they would get the hint and fix these problems. But...I bought my 99 bug used of course and it runs great/fun little 5 speed/love the dash/hate the dang cup holders/I agree with other review they stink due to not being able to get anything in the cup holders and when you do the holder comes off with the can!/and also it just feels like it should have a arm rest/but I have 2 kids and Im surprised at how easy it is to get them in and out of the back/I do worry that it will tear up and I will not have anyone to fix it.