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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  Buyer Beware!!!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Timm Russel - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Dont buy this car. Has a lot of known issues. If you browse through the comments on this vehicle and you will find out similar problems occuring to too many people. Malfunctioning expensive sensors, defective timing belts, window regulators, mysterious oil leaks etc. I had them all.Too many people with similar problems cannot be a coincidence. Dont let good looks fool you. Quality is a joke in VW and I learned it the hard way. And I can guarantee the manufacturer wont stand behind its product (though they are aware of the problems). Better take a little time and read the comments than being sorry: all these people with similar experiences cant be wrong.

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  may bring you lots of troubles - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Dmitry Pavlov - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Bad, slow and expensive service. Parts price is incredibly hidh.

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  Beauty is only skin deep... - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jetta Matic - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used in February 2010. By November of 2010 we had spent $1,800 in repairs on the car. Problems: lunging at startup, rough idle, several heat sensors went bad, light bulbs burning out, fuel pump went out, water pump went out, bad thermostat, poor radio reception, squeaky shocks, horrible waxy/crayon odor inside, AC smelled like vinegar at times, trunk difficult to open, door handles deteriorating.

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  timing belt - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Pete Poindextrer - February 9 - 9:30 am

  We purchased our bug about 11 months ago. We immediately had to replace the AC condenser but later found out that it was the electrical box to the AC. The mechanic said that this was common for this car. We had the timing belt break and it destroyed most of the engine. VW states that the timing belt should last 1005,00 miles. Ours broke at 86,000. This cost us $2600.

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  My 1st Lemon - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lemon Owner - February 6 - 7:16 pm

  Well, Ive been very dissappointed in my Jetta. I purchased my car 11 months ago, and the transmission broke just before the one year mark. This car has always had problems. It jerks when it shifts gears, and when driven at high speeds on the freeway the car suddenly slows then jumps back up. Annoying lights on dashboard wont go away. Also has a loud clicking noise in turn signal area. Car reeks of crayons in summer. Burns motor oil like crazy. Only good thing about this car is that its great on gas. If you buy a Jetta, its best to buy a new one.

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  problems - 2009 Volkswagen Routan
  By carguy - February 1 - 7:56 am

  I have had this van for about a year and a half and the transmission has gone out twice now. The first time was at 6k miles and the second was at 15k. On top of that they kept my van in the shop for 2 months the first time and one month the second. Thats 3 months without my van. Ive heard every excuse in the book, couldnt get all the parts, their tech wasnt qualified so they had to wait on an out of state tech to come in to fix it. Volkswagens customer care were very nice and apologetic but couldnt get anything resolved. Every decision they make seemed to take a week. Its been a month and I still dont have my van back, still waiting on parts and they are very sorry. Its been a month

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  American version of Ford Taurus - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By agn_gazer - January 19 - 1:57 am

  Driving and exterior feels more like an old Ford Taurus with an upgraded interior.Reliability and safety ratings are unknown at this time.Toyota Camry SE(2012 model) feels more sporty with a better handling. Camry also comes with a usable cruise control, better ground clearance, usable middle backseat, and better fuel economy.It also has more cup holders, fan openings in the back of the center console (for rear seat passengers), and no hump in the floor. Poor factory installed tires (Hankook Optimo 426). VWÂ’s small side-mirrors offer limited side-visibility. OK front visibility. Ride is comfortable but too bouncy for my taste. Definitely does not feel sporty with 2.5l engine and suspension.

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  Doooont buy VWs any car ! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jaysohn - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Engine stops anytime everywhere.... Nobody knows why it happens even dealershop guys. I changed every parts except flower vase, but it still keeps asking my money for changing some parts.

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  Do not buy this car! - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By pat124 - January 17 - 4:18 pm

  I bought my Passat about a year ago and I honestly say it is one of the worst cars I have ever owned. I bought it to replace and aging Dodge Dakota I was driving...which was a much better vehicle. These cars are plagued with all sorts of electrical problems such as interior lights not working, connections breaking in the doors, etc. The side windows have scratch marks from rolling them down...I have to clean out the felt liners about once a month to prevent this. The heater is dismal and can only keep the vehicle warm above 30 degrees. Maintenance is expensive, timing belt cost about $1,000 dollars to replace, and my mechanic says I must use full synthetic oil. Will never another VW.

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  A Passat Lemon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By jdsj691 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I went back to VW after years of trying other vehicles. The reason I went back was because in the 1980s I had a Jetta GL that I put 125,000 miles on and had no issues whatsoever, except for the usual maintenance, etc.. The Passat I bought was not the same quality at all. This past year I had it in the garage for a total of 2 months for an electrical defect that costs me $500 dollars to fix even with the extended warranty. The frustrating factor is that its STILL not fixed. So I am limiting my driving to around town until the lease is up in the next 6 months. I wont be buying another VW in my lifetime!!