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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  Let Me Tell You Whats BUGn Me - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By steelfab - August 30 - 1:23 am

  We bought our 03 Beetle with the 1.8L with about 50,000 miles on it. Within weeks it had an engine light on. I have battled the engine light, among other things, ever since. We changed an injector and a coil pack on the number 2 cylinder because of a persistent miss. This was after diagnosis of codes would not narrow the problem down. Immediately following it began cranking hard on start and not starting until the second attempt. First code said crankshaft sensor so we replaced that. Had to replace camshaft sensor thereafter to fix the problem. Next it threw a coolant system code so we replaced the ECT sensor. After that the thermostat. This car was a reliability nightmare. Never ever again.

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  If It Sounds Too Good... - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By David - August 24 - 10:10 pm

  If I had to do it all over again, I probably wouldnt. The Touareg sounded good and was comparably priced for the category it is in. I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle starting with tires wearing-out in less than 8,000 miles with no recourse from VW. My truck has been in the dealer for service numerous times. Two days ago it would not start and was stranded in my garage. VW roadside service came but could not tow it because the battery was dead, the key stuck in the ignition, and it was stuck in park. Ive had numerous campaign upgrades for many of the Touaregs computers. Several trouble lights announce with no solutions given in the owners manual.

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  Get Rid of It! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By beet - August 19 - 9:53 pm

  I just traded in my VW Touareg in on an Infiniti FX35. It was the best feeling in the world. Have owned six VWs since 1999. This will be our last! This truck was very unreliable. My dealer could/would not fix its problems. Mine had problems with the electrical system, tire pressure monitor, locking system, tow hook, etc... These are all that come to mind right now. Do not buy this truck, even a used one!

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  Acceleration - 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By Alba Guerrini - August 7 - 7:15 am

  The acceleration of the vehicle is very, very poor. It seems as if the motor is cold. Its a very uncomfortable drive and not so safe when starting to accelerate. DISAPPOINTED.

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  Unsatisfied - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Daisys mom - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I was an owner of a 4 cyl. auto. Toyota Corolla for 10 yrs. I had to trade it in because it was burning oil and just getting tired but it was very good to me. I should have stuck with Toyota but the Jetta seemed like fun and it had a solid body. I switched over and purchased a 4 cyl. automatic Jetta. I have only owned it for 6 months...it is burning oil, shifts very roughly (jerks you forward) and is running very rough. I am extremely dissapointed. Now I have car payments (I didnt mind taking on) but I also am running into repair bills in the near future. DO NOT purchase one of these vehicles. I am going back to Toyota!!!!

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  Water Leaks Galore - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kit - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Jetta in the last 4 years due to severe water leaks on the inside of the car. The first was so severe that I had to lease a new Jetta. The same problem has happened twice now to the same car. The water has damaged the carpets and created an awful mold smell in the car. Volkswagen will not acknowledge that this is a problem. Never happens when the car is driven. Only when sitting in one spot overnight.

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  Woulnt buy again - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By skw - July 31 - 10:00 am

  problems with paint chipping. The dealer said it was from rocks. I have had the problems since before 5,000 miles. Always garaged just went over the 24,000 mark this weekend. Rear facing seats must be positioned straight up in order for the front seats to be comfortable. Brakes replaced at 20,500 miles - our Dodge Caravan has 49,000 miles and has never had the brakes replaced (not the norm, but indicative of our driving habits) or the paint damage the Eurovan has. Vehicle surges when driving. Van has been maintained by VW dealer per manufacturers recommendations. Dealers not much help. Wrote to VW customer when van was new - no response.

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  Completely Unacceptable, My last VW - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By unhappy - July 29 - 11:53 am

  Since I leased this car Ive had the a/c compressor replaced (6 mo. after getting the car), 2 cd players replaced, steering column replaced (which Ive read is locking up and causing cars to SHUT OFF while driving, so BE CAREFUL if youre between 55-65k) spark plugs, catalytic converter,and either the fuel injector(s) or coils will be replaced at 55k, once I on my own figure out which is actually faulty. I would 100% not recommend this car to anyone. I was so excited to be getting a passat but after all of this, I will NEVER AGAIN purchase, lease or go anywhere near a vw. My crappy 1996 Hyundai Sonata was more reliable.

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  Worst Car Ever Made - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Whatajoke - July 17 - 2:00 am

  What a piece of crap. In the first 10,000 miles - bad window regulators, windows fell off the track, heated O2 sensor (twice), bad fuse block and wiring, replaced truck lid activator, replaced fuel door activator, runs rough and hesitates and thats on a great day. Engine light constantly on, rear brakes ground to the rotor at 23,000 miles (how is that even possible), coil wores/plugs $ 560. Catalytic converter clogged at 22,000. Absolute joke, VW service equally as pathetic.

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  Wouldnt buy a VW again - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Eric Lederman - July 17 - 2:00 am

  too many problems....the first 6 months was good and then it all began. Ignition coils failed, Monsoon sterio stopped working, fog lights stopped working,trip computer works few days a month,cannot drive the car in rain or fog ,wipers dont work efficiently.DOnt buy a VW, if you are real crazy lease it