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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  Cant wait to get rid of it! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By TiredofVW - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I leased this Passat (having leased before)and was confident that I was choicing a top rated vehicle. Within the short two year warranty, the car was in the shop for various issues: rear cup holder broke, rpm needle jumps while stopped at lights, loud noise from wheel well when making tight turns. So of course once the warranty ended, more problems arose: check engine light came on for "no apparent reason," rpm needle jumps worse than before, foul smell if the heater is on, defroster doesnt work. I babied this car with the best gas, regular service, and garaged it. Im extremely disappointed and am counting the days to give the car back to VW.

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  Great Middle of the Road - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By newPassatOwner - April 8 - 2:00 am

  The GLX is smooth but a little underpowered, very stable but a little soft with just a bit too much body lean to feel like a true sports sedan. The interior feels like a car $10K more expensive, although the power-heated- leather-memory seats could be a little more supportive laterally. The V6 is so quiet and the power band so even that the TipTronic is virtually useless...its very hard to "feel" the engine. VWs giving you a lot for your money with this car. The traction control prevented me from climbing a steep, snow-covered driveway...had to turn it off finally, but normally you dont notice.

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  In shop 15 to 20 times (bought new) - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Stephanie - April 4 - 11:40 am

  Bought Passat in Sept. 04 and has been in the shop every week to two weeks for engine light cutting on and has a gas smell when driving more than 1-2 hours. After going in shop so much, called VW of America and they dont seem to care that I am having so many problems. I have told them I want another car or my money back and they just want to keep fixing it. After six months of the car being in and out of the shop VW of America should say enough is enough. The dealer I have bought it from has been great in getting the car in to look at it, But they have even said they are not sure whats wrong with it. VW of America is supposed to send a field Tech out to look at the car.

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  Fun car to own - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By John Rupp - April 3 - 10:00 am

  The GTI is fast it handles like a go cart. It holds the road but will smoke the tires. When I first got the car I had just bought a Harley- Davidson sportster sport. At the time I could not decide which one was more fun to drive.One year later I still cant decide. So if your looking for a car that you will have fun driving the GTI is for you. I have the tritronic automatic 5 speed I love it.

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  #8 and still liking em - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bigfoot16 - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought it for my wife and cant get it away from her she loves it. Weve had good experances with our vws and this one is no exception. Fun to drive and the performance has picked up since getting a few miles on car and changing to synthtic oil, gas milage around 32 on highway. by the way I drive a 2002 GTI 1.8 with chip and some other mods.

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  8000 miles/9 month update - 2014 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jamievidd - April 2 - 8:43 pm

  My SE with the 1.8L turbo has been sublime so far. Anyone who bothers with the way underpowered 115hp 2.0 base Jetta should check themselves into a mental hospital. Dont go near it. Head straight for the 1.8 in the SE for only a 2-3K more. This car is so fun and engaging to drive. The 1.8 really performs and its even better once its broken in. Never at a loss for power and the ride/handling/comfort are stellar. This car was a steal for what I paid for it (under $20K with discounts). And love the v-tex leatherette heated seats, soft leather steering wheel..etc. Yes the dash is kind of no frills but who cares. Its the driving that its all about and this car delivers it comfortably.

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  $4000 in repairs in less than a year! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By katie - April 2 - 12:00 pm

  I bought this at 59,000. Two weeks later it went in the shop. 6 of the 8 ignition coils went bad $620(there was a recall on this so if they need repaired again VW will not pay 4 it). Intake bad, fuel sensor bad, coolant sensor bad. Total that time $1,890.00. Before I bought the car Lithia put $500.00 in what they called basic repairs, 2 weeks ago I put $900 in electrical probs and 2day my valve gaskets blew out of no where (they are new btw) $1,192.00 for those to be replaced. Front light went out and thats $500.00 2 repair bc they have 2 take the front panel off! Oh and the car is now stated to be worth $8,000.00. So in reality I have thus paid $12,982 for a car worth $8 grand

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  LEMON - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By alwayselegant - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I bought this Passat brand new-what a mistake. Within 2 1/2 years the heater-core, radiator, and turn signals went bad. The dealer ripped me off for $500(trumped up charges)and VW did nothing. They swore these problems were from wear and tear on a 2 year-old car with 40,000 miles. Reseale was a joke! I could have gotten more for a Kia.

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  A bug I love to hate - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By sam74 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I love this car however the interior seats stain too easily. The paint is chipping off the interior door panels and door handles. Gunther VW repainted them at no charge. Headlight plastic cover came off for no apparrent reason while driving in Florida. The chip protectors are peeling off (cheap plastic film). Besides the cosmetic annoyances, I would definately purchase one again as it drives like a dream. Dont waste your money on the 2.0 turbo. Turbo lag, annoying sound of rear spoiler, and highprice tag. Will purchase a TDI next time around.

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  repair despair - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Doesnt matter - March 28 - 11:30 am

  Fuel pump failure, check timing belt repair, check electrical problems, check I could go on and on about the problems Ive had with this darn car.