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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  Respectable Gas Sipper - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jbkutah - December 3 - 5:26 am

  I wanted something with excellent gas mileage for business reimbursement, but respectable enough for my wife to want to ride in on date night. So far, this car is fitting the bill great. Much roomier and respectable than a Corolla, Focus, or the like. Traded the hubcaps for some 5 spoke oem wheels. Mileage is 33-35mpg in mixed driving. True, the 2.0 is not a fast car nor a luxury ride, but I dont race around in it during my commute or during business outings. Manual tranny helps give it a little pep and/or work the gas mileage numbers. Decent ride comfort and I feel safe in the car. Im expecting decent reliability cause of the tried and true engine and lack of bells and whistles.

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  Great Buy - 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By Matt - December 2 - 1:56 pm

  I get my rabbit as soon as I could order one. I drive through DC traffic on a daily basis and average 25mpg w/ a 5spd. It options that would be seen on cars over 25k.

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  not worth the money - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By VW Bummer - December 2 - 1:40 pm

  We purchased this car after our first child was born. It is a heavy safe car that is fun to drive. Thats where it stops. From the start it was in the shop for trim, sensors etc.. I would have to rent a car within the dealer (usually a tiny tin can) every time I took my car for service. If I would complain at all about the frequency of these malfunctions on the car they would blow me off and tell me that I had purchased a luxury vehicle and the repairs are more extensive? ? What? Wheres my luxury service? I think VW priced themselves out of the market with this SUV. For the price you are paying you should have some service. Buy yourself a Lexus and get yourself taken care of.

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  Another name for car is Jetta - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Proud Jetta Owner - December 1 - 2:06 pm

  I am so Impressed with my Jetta. I am so happy that I did not go for a Honda or a Toyota this time. I had a CR-V and Civic before but after owning Jetta I just realized my mistake of choosing Honda 2 times. Jetta is very comfortable, Safe and amazing performance. It has everything that I was looking in a car. Volkswagen Customer service is the best. My last statement - Ladies and gentlemen, Boys and Girl before you buy car (new) you must look at Jetta. You get more than what you pay for.

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  Too many problems - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Gunnar1 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Great performance for the buck yet terrible reliability. My GTI has been in the shop more times than I can count. I have about 17,000 miles on it now and I have had the tranny replaced at 2k the rotors and pads replaced at 200 miles, the check engine light has come on three times. At about 4500 miles the passenger side window fell into the door sill. A piece of trim has come off of the roof twice. The coil-packs have been replaced recently. My brake lights stopped working 1 week ago at the same time my center console broke. My heated seats do not work from numbers 1-4 they only work on number 5. Need I say more?

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  love it - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By vw freak - December 1 - 10:00 am

  love it veary much. Fun to drive .great power and handling.Volkswagen is the best car in the world.

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  Wonderful car, electronic problems - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dr. PMA - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Car purchased new, 4 yrs. old, 58K miles. Love the design, roominess and build quality. Ride/handling are comfortable, sophisticated. Accel is OK, turbo kicks in late, power up hills is sluggish and needs Tiptronic assist. Transmission doesnt shift back up quickly enough after sustained lower-gear driving. Gas econ is GREAT (34 mpg @ 72 mph-hwy!). Overall avg mpg: 26. Problems have been electronic: failed engine temp sensor, trunk light switch, dash lights. SHOCKING failure (at 4 yrs): electronic firing regulator shorted out; diagnosis + part ($348.) + labor = $600! What else electronic may fail next?? VW techs say: water pumps go out at around 60K.

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  VW Golf 1.8 Turbo (2001) - 2001 Volkswagen Golf
  By org - December 1 - 10:00 am

  The Golf 1.8T is pure pleasure to drive! Its the best car I have ever owned. Its stylish, flexible, roomy, powerful, very responsive and great fun to drive with! It might be a bit more expensive than other cars in this class but the money is definitly worth it!!!

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  Not really happy - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sallyim - December 1 - 10:00 am

  A number of things have gone wrong with this car and now I am looking at a bill of 1500.00 and of course, only the dealership can fix it. I use to love VWs ....NO MORE.

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  Avoid VW Jettas - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By laurenjc - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had repeated problems with the engine...COSTLY repeated problems. The ENTIRE computer system of the car failed and had to be replaced...the mass air flow system replaced...oxygen sensors replaced twice. Interior problems as well; cheap quality plastics used in glove compartment hinges (snapped/broken), other broken interior items as well.