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:

• 

  its a soild 8 - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By thickandwide - November 27 - 9:30 am

  Probably the best car Ive ever owned. Sites like this mostly attract negative reviews from upset consumers who dont understand how to maintain a vehicle. The Jetta has a reliable VR6 motor that is both strong and economical and came with a lot of perks for a 2000 car: CD changer, moon roof, "front trac" stability control, heated seats, Monsoon 8-speaker stero, and heated leather seats to name a few. My only complaint, as with most owners, is that this car chews up water pumps - and it has two of them (an electrical and mechanical) and yes they are expensive to repair. Also VW needs to make it easier to change the headlamps. Basic maintenance should be easier.

• 

  I LOVE THIS CAR!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Chubbs - November 25 - 4:16 pm

  Wow, I really do love this car. I have a 2004 silverstone grey Passat turbo, I love it so much. I was going to get an Accord, but decided to be a little different. Every time I wash this car which is like 3 times a week I fall in love with it again. I cant believe an 18 year old kid (myself) is driving such a hot car. I get a lot of looks, and it is very classy to go out on dates in. The engine never disappoints, does not make me want a V6. I commute with this car to school on the highway everyday, it holds the road, is solid, handles amazing in the rain and shine, and has a confident safe feeling to it. I am definitely going to get another Passat when my lease is up in 2008. GET A PASSAT!!!!!!

• 

  Preventative maintnance from dealership does NOT prevent big problems - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By anatomix - November 25 - 10:11 am

  The 2006 Jetta is certainly fun and comfortable to drive, but is just a big plastic peice of junk. Lets first start with the plastic bottom plate (covering the entire undercarrige of the engine). The only function I can see for this part is to deter you from changing you own oil (containing about 16 star screws).. This car has had all oil changes and inspections by dealer ON TIME.. At 63,000 miles, check engine light came on and a visit to the dealership came back with a $2000+ engine coolant system repair. $1030 for the fans and an additional $1000 for all wires, connectors, and sensors, $340 for CV boot (reportedly cracked and leaking) on front axil.

• 

  Love it! But expensive to repair - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Story man - November 24 - 5:56 pm

  This is my second Passat; bought it used in 2006. It is a joy to drive, and is one of the few 5-speed wagons available in this class. Both Passats had reliability problems (98: cam followers bad at 120k; window regulator at 60K) (03: turbo out at 70K, water leaks from roof drains). But in spite of these and many other problems, I bought a second one because it is so much fun to drive and looks great. I will put up with the costs because I love it.

• 

  Love It! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Macrae - November 24 - 8:50 am

  I got this car with 130,000 kms. last year. I took it in for service today with 206,000 with its first problem (a faulty hazard light switch). During that time it got me from Alberta to Boston, and all over Canada at 130km/hr+ with no issues/maintenance other than oil changes. It runs smoothly, ALWAYS starts (even in -30C), and goes like a bat out of H. My previous car was a 94 VR6. That one lasted 400,000 miles and Im thinking this one will too.

• 

  Passat TDI - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By jh61 - November 23 - 11:02 pm

  Purchased the car about 2 months ago. Continue to enjoy this very efficient VW. With 80% highway driving, mpg is consistently in the range of 47-52mpg. Interior has loads of room.

• 

  The inside/outside of it all - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By carrot soup - November 23 - 10:23 pm

  Interior needs much improvement. Cant set taller cups in cup holders and cup stabilizers keep getting lost and drinks spill over. I purchased it as 3rd owner. Would love to have a diesel with convertible top but the diesel smell needs to be controlled somehow. Michelin tires look good on it. Love the shiny finish.

• 

  good value - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Fmailys - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2009 Jetta SE (not Wolfsburg but the option isnt showing up). No clue what "Nicole" is talking about - to play music through your iPod you press the "CD" button again to switch between the CD changer and ipod. You DO NOT have to remove CDs. 2.5 engine is reliable, but not very fun or fuel efficient. Rides very smoothly. Has a nice amount of features. Feels very safe and solid. Interior quality is very good, on par with some higher-end marques. HVAC system is a weak. AC takes awhile to cool the car and is noisy at the higher settings. Trunk is huge and inside space is more than adequate for 4 adults. Leatherette seating is high quality and the seats are comfortable.

• 

  A nice large, fuel effecient cruiser - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By chuck150 - November 22 - 12:53 pm

  I traded in my 2005 Phaeton for the Passat TDI. I did so with a little trepidation. Ive had the car for 3 weeks and my anxiety has passed. I did a round trip from PGH to NYC on one tank of fuel with the cruise set at 70mph! The TDI averaged around 48 mpg for the trip. The interior is spacious, quiet and comfortable. Much like the Phaeton. It also hunkers down on the highway and provides a competent German ride quality. It also handles long sweepers and off ramps with confidence. The DSG works smoothly with the TDI. The exterior has a chiseled, masculine shape. IMHO, it looks very good. If youre looking for a spacious, fuel efficient cruiser, you must check out the Passat TDI.

• 

  Car as hobby - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By sooththetruth - November 21 - 6:50 am

  I craved this car for months, shopped for 6 months, and found a great deal, with remaining CPO warranty. The car is a dream to drive, and the ride unimaginably good. However, you learn that this is a finicky monster to maintain properly. The tires wore quickly because the alignment went out, and there are few places that no how to align it. Without a long term warranty? A transmission is 10K, and the wrong transmission fluid was specd when new. The speaker wires break. The regulators in the doors go bad starting at 60,000 miles. This is a car for people with money to burn, and two cars to drive. Oh yeah, the build quality is the burden of ownership, maintaining the dream.