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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  It has been a GREAT car! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By lisa4peace - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I designed my Passat online and waited for its arrival across the pond. It has been totally reliable -- never any problems...now 70,000 miles later. I own it and a MINI. Love em both.

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  Piece of CRAP - Lemon Law SAVE ME!! - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dscar - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I just pray the Better Business Bureau will help me out of this one. Car has had numerous problems since purchased 2 months ago. Bad sensor in the steering column, heated seats not working, dash incorrectly installed, Monsoon system malfunctioning, gears grinding, brakes whistling, Car revving itself. It is in the shop for the NINTH time (16th day). The service center is horrible and VW corporate needs to care about their product. Have already filed complaint w/ BBB. I just want this car out of my life forever. Buyer Beware.

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  2008 Jetta A in a whole other class - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
  By quickrnu - December 6 - 7:30 pm

  I purchase a 2008 VW Jetta SE with the tiptronic transmission, sport styling package and 17 inch aptiva wheels. This car has exceeded my expectations again and again. I have owned numerous European cars and have to say this car feels and drives like my Audis and Volvos, maybe even better. VW has really thought out every little detail. The sport styling package with the 17 inch wheels really makes it stand out in the crowd. The build quality puts any car in its class to shame. A joy to drive!

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  disappointed - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Heidi A Silverson - December 6 - 7:06 pm

  this is not a great review - car overheated and glitched after I had it for a couple months, light switch broke, cup holders suck (they drip on the a/c adaptor when I have my phone plug in), the car and insurance is overpriced, tiny back seat, gas mileage is not great and you have to use 91 octane gas. transmission slips and the dealer wont fix it. blah blah blah...

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  Rascally Rabbit - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By brucemip - December 6 - 4:46 am

  Bought this car used with 52K miles on it and a extended warranty for 20K mile, which was a waste. This car has been perfect and reliable since I bought it. I now have 105K miles on it and still running strong and drive the same as the first day I bought it. Regular oil changes every 5K. Went through 2 sets of tires. Added GTI 17s mags. Color is white, black trim and Yakima bike rack with air spoiler, clean, looks real sporty, turns heads all the time. Extremely happy with this car performance, ride & comfort.

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  Jetta has it all....except reliability - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jxm461 - December 6 - 3:39 am

  I purchased this vehicle brand new after previously owning a 97 Jetta. It was my first new car and I researched my purchase extensively. I really like the value of it while having a better look than similar cars in its class. Ive owned it for 7 years now and as much as i want to say its a great car, i simply cannot recommend it. Ive come to realize that its simply not a well build machine. The water pump went after 4.5 years b/c the impellers are made of plastic!. Fuel pump went, various recurring electrical problems and now my cd player went. It comes and goes so i figured id tough it out and now, the AM and FM stereo are going. Currently looking and will not be buying a VW :(

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  2006 Volkswagen Jetta Value Edition - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ??? - December 6 - 1:26 am

  We havent even had our Jetta for one month, but we just LOVE it! It is fun, roomy, and very pretty! =) It costs us $32 to fill up with gas, and we drove almost 500 highway miles before having to fill up. So far this tank, I have drove 350 city miles and still have between a 1/4 and a 1/2 tank left. Pretty good, huh? With VWs resale values, and how extremely pleased we are with our Jetta, were just crazy for not purchasing one sooner!

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  2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By motorjim - December 5 - 10:43 pm

  My 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T is a great driving car. It gets good gas mileage for such a comfortable car (25 - 30 mpg). However, mine has 6,000 miles on it and has been in the shop for four different problems, a broken winshield wiper motor and three check engine lights. The dealer has been helpful and always offers a loaner but it is still frustrating. I am afraid I will not be able to afford this car when the warranty expires! The dealer explained that they have experienced a high number of problems with the new Passats, a high incidence of similar problems. I wish VW would address the problem with these repeat problems before my check engine goes off again instead of after. Also, repair parts are not always readily available.

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  Falling Apart - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Lydia Crane - December 5 - 4:13 pm

  I have enjoyed owning this vehicle yet a local auto repairman told be to beware when I hit 30,000 miles. I am now at 32,000 miles and things are falling apart. The windows wont stay up and rain gets in the car. Also, my horn sounds for no reason, which is embarrassing. The pick up is markedly delayed when the air-conditioning is on. I am looking for a new car.

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  At 70K what you could expect - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By nhvw2009 - December 3 - 10:35 pm

  I bought my Tiquan new in 2009. It ran well up to 60K. In the last 10K I need a front drive axel ($650), a new manifold / seals as sensor light is on and there is carbon buildup ($700), yesterday it needed a pressure switch for the AC ($340), and then a electronic ignition problem caused a plug to blow ($150). Not sure what to do at this point, trade or keep putting money into the car. There has not been a lot post by people who had the car for 3-4 years.