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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  As bad as it gets - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By highlife - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I have owned quite a few cars over the years, including a previouse VW, and this is the most unreliable car yet. Transmition needed repair the day it was delivered. Rear brakes gone in only 25,000 miles. Engine sensor bad, center console handle self destructs. This is not a cheap car, I expect better from a ford focus ! I will buy another VW product !! Dont buy !

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  So far ok..... - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Ken - April 8 - 12:06 pm

  I just bought this car a few months ago and lucked out with a really nice, 85,000 one owner car. As with all Jettas both front power windows did not work but the dealer I bought it from replaced them for me. The car stinks off the line but is pretty peppy when up to speed, maybe the manuals are better? Had to replace the timing belt and went ahead and replaced the ater pump and serpentine belt. Trust me you WANT to do all this at the same time and try and do it yourself. Parts cost me less than $100, but if you paid someone to do it it would cost you. Fit and finish is good, cup holders are beyond a joke. Ride is good even with me stepping up to 17" wheels.MPG could B better getting 25.

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  Unreliable - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jdiggity666 - March 28 - 9:30 pm

  This car gets great gas mileage and in my case the mechanical aspects are good. However, i have had numerous problems with my jetta. Both front door sensors broke, my arm rest broke, the glove box door fell off. Both front turning indicator light covers broke. Small but extremely frustrating problems.

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  I hate my car. It makes me sad. - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By tangentgirl - March 24 - 11:06 am

  This car is cute, but man does it stink. Little things keep breaking. Sure, theyre under warranty, but its a pain to have to bring the thing back to the dealership. Ive had to repair the following things: Seat back/fwd levers - these constantly break, both trunk arms, the lock on the center console, the front panel accessory slots (empty), rear phone charger - it fell right out, the back window is starting to have problems rolling down correctly, the front airbag sensor, various electrical problems - including one that made the car turn off while driving. Fun. Also, theres a wheel noise that I need to get checked now. I feel like I drive a 1987 Taurus or something, except with a payment.

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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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  The Passat Strikes Again - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Austin - March 18 - 6:56 pm

  Okay, so I was handed over my sisters Passat because the truck that my parents had gotten me was taken away. The Passat sits very low to the ground, making the oil pan also very low to the ground. I wouldnt suggest flying over any speed bumps. It destroyed my oil pan which after numerous attempts was never fixed until about the fifth attempt (it cost $800 to replace). The build makes me feel like its cheap. It has small broken accessories in the car. All around its an okay car to get you point A to B most of the time.

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  This car is a... - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By poor choice - March 16 - 9:50 am

  The electrical system on my 1999 Volkswagen Jetta is a nightmare. Push the button down and the window goes up. The flashers went out 4 times in 5 years. I also really enjoyed the weird green oily junk that comes out of the doors in warm weather. In cold weather, ice builds up behind the doors to the point it caused a dent when I opened the door. Leaves, pine needles etc. have no problem finding their way into the trunk and door trim. Dont even think about trying to replace the bulb in the tail light, that requires a trip to the dealership.

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  Do NOT Buy This Car - 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf
  By Steve Burnett - March 15 - 8:44 am

  I am a big fan of the electric car, I own a 2002 RAV 4 EV and love it. If possible, I will never buy a gas car again. I bought the e-Golf and regret it. Of the first 64 days I owned it, it was in the shop 19 days. Still less than 3,000 miles and new problems are cropping up (charging issues, wont lock). The dealer promised that delayed charging was possible using the infotainment system, then after I bought it informed me that it was only available through car-net at $199 per year fee. And it doesnt work. They promised a fix in six weeks, then they say it will be another 3 weeks. Avoid headaches, do NOT buy this car.

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  Touareg Nightmare - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By CW - March 12 - 3:06 pm

  VW does not stand behind its products. I have had my Touareg in the shop for various items including transmission problems for a total of 14 weeks since I purchased it. this truck cost $55,000 new and now I cant even sell it. The most I can get for a trade is $31,000. It needed new tires at 15,000 miles. It has wear caused by the failure of the stepper motor and VW would only pay for half of them. That was another $500 dpwn the drain. Also, it absolutely sucks gas, honestly, even driven when very gingerly. The transmission still shifts quirky and the brakes grab. I would not purchase another VW product for all the money in the world. I thought of claiming it under the lemon law, but who has the time for all that litigation. It squeaks and rattles all the time.

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  Please pass on this car - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Unhappy Camper - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Leased this vehicle in a pinch- and wish I had taken more time. Dealer played many games on financing and I should have walked then! Want out of my lease and despite all the folks raving over Passats I am weary. Would help if I could like a 2003- as the dealer is playing more games to incent me to stick with it. Burned once.....