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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  Not what I expected - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By greg - May 5 - 7:10 pm

  Bought the car because I knew this car had great potential. However after 600 miles the car had problems starting. As well as a lot of other little electrical gremlins. Took it in and they said it was because I had installed an aftermarket cd player?!?! VW fixed the problem but I am scared to touch the car now. Wish I never bought it. In stock form it just sucks. I have also had problems with it randomly stalling at a red light when I turn on the a/c, a rough idle and window problems. With only 5000 miles on the car Im looking to get rid of it! I will probably never buy a vw again.

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  Bad car - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dale mayhall - May 4 - 11:16 pm

  When the temperature is less than 30 degrees this car is horrible. The A/T doesnt shift into overdrive until after 15 minutes of driving, the mileage is 15 mpg, the windows dont go up properly,etc. It will be sold shortly. What a piece.

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  Watch out for Certified USED-Jettas - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rtadams1 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  My car is the reason why certified used cars should be included in the Lemon Law. But beware... they are NOT! With 3000 left on the certified warranty my car has been in the shop every month since purchase. Included..5 window regulator replacemnts, 2 Mass airflow meters, 3 transmission removals/adjustments, and 25 days in the shop within a year! what a P.O.S...

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  No Fun to Drive - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By MrBill - April 30 - 6:03 pm

  Right off the lot I my Jetta needed a wheel alignment. The car moves from side to side going down the road after the alignment. I am being told that is the way the car drives. I have received bad customer service to the point that nobody cared. Now it is three weeks later and the sunroof leaks. This car has 3,000 miles on it. Look twice before buying one.

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  VW Never again - 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By redman - April 30 - 3:03 pm

  My wife always said she loved her VW. It was cute and the test drive was fun but the honeymoon was short lived. There were many problems with it over the years. Included were electrical issues, power Windows, chronic check engine light, air conditioner, on & on. Every time we got it back from the shop we were lucky if it would go 2 weeks before something else was needed. We had to keep a list so we could remember what to tell the service writer. VW dealer was to expensive for parts & labor and everything had to be done at the dealer. Last VW in our family if I have anything to say about it.

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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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  Real recalls - 2008 Volkswagen R32
  By Echo346 - April 14 - 11:50 am

  After a year and a half this vehicle has had THREE major recalls. One required dropping the entire fuel tank (read nightmares involved with this on VW forums). I will not go into my adventure with this except to say VW service is questionable. Now the DSG transmission (mine is starting get "clunky") just got the latest recall. Be careful when buying a used one. Ergonomics are strange. AUX input in glove box, Bluetooth controls on steering wheel, however, Bluetooth is not an option (dealer will not tell you this unfortunately), cruise control is a switch on turn indicator (should have put it where the worthless phone button is on the steering wheel), paddle shifters are small.

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  Nice Car Cheap Parts - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pdiddy8274 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the car used with 50k on it with 1000 3 windows didnt work nor did the sunroof. the molding outside is falling off the car and the wipers do their own thing besides the $1500 in perforance parts i added to make the car actualy move it is not a suggested car.

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  Cute Car - Rotten Inside - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VW Never Again - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought my brand new 2000 Jetta in Dec-99 and sold it in Nov-02. In that time, 2 engine sensors went bad, my cd changer broke and had to be replaced, my drivers window fell into the door frame, my trunk lock broke not once, but twice, and my coolant sensor went bad (while at the dealership getting the trunk lock repaired) I decided that a 3 year old car shouldnt have that many problems. Not to mention the fact that VW never has any parts available and they think their cars are so good they offer 4 year warranties on the 2002s but wont stand by the quality (or lack thereof) of their 2000s.

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  Keep Looking!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By not another vw - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I loved the look of this car and that is why I bought it; dont be fooled too. I have had the electrical system replaced twice, mass air flow sensor replaced twice, transmission replaced once, engine coil replaced once, rear back brakes needed replaced early and front brakes are warped, the exhaust system is very noisey at first take- off and it is sluggish. I have maintained this car to the manufactured specifications and then some, yet the car still fails me on a regular basis!!