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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  Not my Grandmas 58 - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By straightliner - January 10 - 10:50 am

  First VW Ive owned. Purchased used w/55K and doubled the mileage. Not bad in the beginning, but repairs have been escalating. Went through three water pumps, mass air flow sensor failed, intake leak (causing check engine light and failed emissions), radiator replacement. Funny, but all the electrical glitches and broken plastic others complain about havent been a problem. The alarm system never seemed to work as advertised, trunk latch doesnt always catch and I got stranded w/the valet key once, but otherwise OK. Fun to drive, love the stick and still turns heads after all these years. Im glad I tried it, but approaching 110K and $4,000 in repairs, Im ambivalent.

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  *groan* wish Id thought it through - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lizzie - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Bought mine loaded just over 4 mos. ago & am already trying to sell it. Problems started immediately-grinding gears between 1st & 2nd, turn signals & intermittent wipers went out. On day 5 Emissions warning light came on. Turns out the ignition was failing & burned out the catalytic converter,which almost crashed my entire exhaust system. There went $700! This was in addition to majorly leaking sunroof, broken cupholder, broken memory seats, broken console & major gas usage. Im having terrible sellers remorse for my 95 Honda Civic with 100k on it! No problems until Id had it 6 years. And I hate Carmax for lying about this Jetta - stay away from them!!

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  Money Pit - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By mp - January 5 - 11:33 am

  This car drives like a dream but then it becomes a nightmare. In the past two years alone we have spent well over $2,000 in repairs ranging from CV boots to engine coils to glove compartment handles falling apart.

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  Well.... 2 months later back on lot - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By kempboy - December 31 - 7:48 am

  I bought this car with 100,000 miles on it and from day one it was a fun car. The car was fun to drive when it worked... First to go was a valve cover and pep boys only sold one that cost me 47 dollars to do and I had to do it. Then I got another 10 miles on the car and oil and antifreeze was pouring out of the car from the oil cooler gasket cost me 350 dollars to fix. Now remember I only drove this car 10 miles before this happened. This car was built well inside parts hold up however mechanically you need to know what your doing or your in trouble. I read reviews and didnt listen I should have these cars are trouble please take my advice and buy something else

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  no jetta - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By nojetta - December 26 - 10:00 am

  There havent beeen any major problems with the car, but small things seems to have all kind of problems. Example 1.problem with power window failure. 2. Signal light relay. 3. Annoying rattle from the door locks. 4. Burns about a quart of oil per 1k miles ect...All kinds og small mechanical problems, just enough to annoy the heck out of you...

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  cursed car - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By shellky - December 23 - 7:16 pm

  Ive had my jetta for around six months now and had nothing but problems I know the complete history of the car being close friends with every owner its always had an elet problem brake light randomly not working but other than that no big problems sence ive had it the trunk latch broke key and elet moldings falling off coolant resvior cracked catt cloged fuel injector exhaust the brake lights are blowing instead of just randomly not working the coil cracked the back seat is falling apart clutch is going (180k impressive but still on its way out)

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  Lemon - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Holly Martel - December 23 - 4:56 am

  Ive only owned the vehicle for 3 months and its been in the shop for a total of 23 days now. The list is endless with all the problems. Nice to look at inside and outside when Im actually able to drive it. Have hired a lawyer and it will be going back to the dealership...for good!

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  never again - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By nealmeg - December 19 - 5:53 am

  Car posed problems from the second day I had it. Numerous expensive repairs that were never covered under the warranty. Broken o2 sensor, mass airflow censor, brake light switch (x3), catalytic converter (was actually covered! Hooray!), coolant leaks, both front widows fell off tracks, sunroof leaked, broken engine coils, etc. Theres probably more but it makes me too depressed to think about it. I bought this car brand new one year after my mother bought a new Mazda and the same time my brother bought a Toyota, and guess what! Their cars are running wonderfully 9 years later! And mine? finally traded in for a beautiful Honda!

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  Jetta is Junk - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tomcat42 - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car less then 2 months. The car has less then 1800 miles on it. It has already been in for service 3 times, all with the same problem. Failed IG coils. The car just broke down for the 4th time and the dealer gave me an attitude. I have spent more money on rental cars then lease payments. I am pursueing relief under the Lemon Law. Due yourself a favor and steer clear of the Jetta!!!

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  Not a good bet - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Mackey - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I love my Jetta BUT...It is always broken. I have had it for 30000 miles and I have replaced almost the entire ignition, not at the same time, expensive seat bolts, the thermostat, the CO2 converters, headlights, various engine parts and fans, and the trunk light will NOT work. On the good side I have a chip in it and an intake. The result is a throaty powerful car that is very responsive and a blast to drive. Its a blast to drive if you have the car though, mine was in the shop so much it felt like it was there way more than it wasnt.