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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  RESPECT FOR GERMAN ENGINEERING - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ted - October 30 - 1:33 am

  We bought this vehicle about three weeks ago. Ever since, we rediscovered the pleasure of driving. I am stuck daily in long commuting lines, but now that I have my Passat, who really cares whats going on out there? It is a thrill. This is our first German car, brand new - a wish dreamed for so long, finally came true. We hope to not lose this feeling any soon...

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  Awesome Auto - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By bamafanjtm - October 29 - 10:06 pm

  This car is awesome. From the quality interior styling, to the sharp, sporty body styling, this auto really impresses. Oh, yeah, did I mention it is fast? I have the black magic 6-speed and have been very pleased with this car. The only issue I have had with it has been with the radio, and that was minor at best. I would highly recommend the GTI to anyone!

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  I got this back in high school... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By rilezz13 - October 29 - 12:20 pm

  I got my black Passat when I was a sophomore in high school. The thing I love most about VWs is the German prestige that comes with the car. Theres something about the way European cars carry themselves as they sail down the highway. I previously owned a 2000 VW Jetta that I absolutly loved. The Passat is technically a superior car, but I think Ill buy another Jetta in the future. If you are thinking of buying one with the turbocharged engine, you MUST MUST use fully synthetic oil and change it every 3 thousand miles.

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  Fuel injector #5 replacements and counting - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By lsap - October 28 - 2:29 am

  All started in the winter at about 58k. Bought care used with 34k. Got it for the gas milage as i drive 100 miles highway/ day. Check engine light came on, took it i , vw said had to replace fuel injector. Less than a month later, was in for 2nd fuel injector replacement. Vw didnt think anything abnormal about 2 going bad. Less that a month later car back in twice because of ANOTHER FUEL INJECTOR, and the key ignition switch (locks click on and off when car pulls to a stop). 2 weeks ago, check engine late on AGaIN, VW international said they sent the dealer a faulty one, and they are replacing on that was already replaced 2 months ago. Guess what happened today, after only driving 600 miles.

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  Fell apart at 75,000 Miles - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By RP - October 27 - 6:16 am

  I absolutely loved my 2001.5 Passat until last weekend when it essentially self-destructed at 76,000 miles. Although Ive maintained it religiously, a water pump leak ultimately caused the timing belt to slip off while driving on the freeway, bending the heads and piercing the radiator. The repairs will costing about $5,000. My mechanic says its a design flaw and could happen again.

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  Great Bang for your Buck - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By CLIFF LASH - October 26 - 4:33 pm

  After owning a 2006 BMW 330i with the sport package, I can say that my Passat 3.6 with Sport pkg.1 is just as nice a ride if not more so. With 280 hp and 265 ft. lb. of torque this car really gets up and goes. It is smooth, has great handling for a rather large sedan, and the sport seats are extremely comfy with great lateral support. I also got the 18" alloys with the all season Pirelli tires for an extra $400. The car is great in the rain and like past VWs that Ive owned, Im sure it will be great in the snow. Surely cant say that for that RWD BMW I skated with a few times. Overall, the ride is stiff with the sport suspension but its nice when you hit the twisties. Overall, this is a sweet ride for the price.

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  Best car I have ever owned. - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jeff M. - October 26 - 1:20 am

  Since 91 I have owned 6 cars, 5 of them Passats (1 of each generation)-- and each one got better than the previous one. When you compare handling,styling, fit & finish, safety, room, features and price, nothing else even comes close!! My prior car was an 04 BMW 325xi and I sold it 6 months early to get back into another Passat and no regrets.

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  Totally unreliable. - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By Cheated - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Oil consumption issues requiring numerous visits to try to fix the problem (Still not fixed). Within a year computer mother board had to be replaced. The engine light coming on and off. After the service department "fixed" window issue, my car doesnt lock remotely and the automatic locks dont always lock after driving 15 mi/hr.The service department declared that it is NORMAL FOR VW TO REQUIRE APPROXIMATELY 1quart OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES! Both headlights went out at the same time, even though one light had been replaced 3 weeks prior. NEVER AGAIN AND I WILL TELL ALL MY FRIENDS AND THEN SOME!

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  Better than most - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jedberg - October 25 - 10:00 am

  I thought that my car had problems until I read about everyone elses. I had to do my rear brakes at 30K, but VW paid for it. My gears have been grinding since the beginning, but they tell me it is "normal". At 45K miles, everything works perfectly, now that I had my 40K service for $600. :( The worst problem I had was with Broadway Volkswagen in Oakland, CA. They damaged my car when I took it in for service, and when I called them on it, they said right to my face, "Yeah, we damaged it, but you cant prove it." I complained to VW, and they said they had similar complaints, but the dealership is still open. DONT GO TO BRAODWAY VW!!

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  Cant wait to get another one. - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ACW - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Very easy review to write. Outstanding car at a very fair price. Feel like im bought a 3-series BMW for $26K! Why spend more. Would buy this car again without hesitation!!