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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  Still fun, still not dependable - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By susanne - February 29 - 5:06 pm

  Having owned another Beetle and a Jetta before this, I have come to realize that VWs on average have a shelf life of about 4 years, then its time to trade it in! Despite the frustrations that come with being a VW owner, I keep coming back over and over. Why? The handling - the driving experience. There are so few cars on the market, in my opinion, that combine compactness and great handling. Having driven other compact makes, I find that the Beetle is heavier, handles better, has better features and more road presence. While other compacts feel like they are likely to get blown off the road in a high wind, the Beetle tends to clutch the road and hold its own in snow, rain, etc.

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  Good Car - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By VW - February 27 - 5:03 am

  This is very comfortable car. The seats are the best I have ever sat in. The interior is well designed in general the styling is good. I am writing because so many people have written about the emissions workshop light. This happened to me as well. The dealer said that there was a recall on it and simply reset the computer no charge. The dealer has been OK but they are out for every dime they can get. The interior door handles plastic is flanking and the steering wheel is worn as well. As many have mentioned the cup holders leave something to be desired. On the highway this car is great. It feels like an Audi. However this V6 is all top end power, off the line it is a bit of a dog.

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  Good daily commuter car. Not fun. - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ajt36 - February 26 - 4:42 am

  Weve owned our 2.5L Jetta since new, but Ive been driving it since about 44K miles. Now has 127K. This is a well-built, full-featured, and generally dependable daily commuter. New it was $27K and it has some features missing on my wifes $50K 2011 Audi A4. While it is a good "A to B" car, there is nothing fun or inspiring about this car. If that is not a priority in your car ownership, then no worries, the interior amenities will more than make up for it. But if you want something thats fun on the on/off ramps, and inspires confidence when you go to pass, then the 2.5L 5 cyl. is not your engine. Go with the 2.0 Turbo. Just regular maintenance, but some inconvenient repairs.

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  Buying a VW is a coin toss. - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Weiser - February 26 - 3:23 am

  Overall, I like Volkswagens. I have owned a 2002 Jetta and now a 2007 Passat. Ive had my Passat in the shop about 6 times so far for all sorts of problems, minor and major. Seems to be electrical and sensors not working or going bad. I get about 31-32 MPG Highway and 25 City. Not bad for a 200 HP Car that performs like a V8 Mustang. Overall quality is good and the ride and handling is excellent. You get a lot for the money compared to a comparable BMW.

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  Great Car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By gestenta - February 22 - 4:13 pm

  I bought my 2001 Jetta GL with 6 miles on it. It is the base model and does not have any of the power options which people consistently complain about in reviews. The car now has 230,000 miles on it and runs better than ever. I am a do it yourself type, but all in all its been a great car. Changed the oil every 5000 miles with Catrol Synthetic Blend.

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  Lotta car in a small package - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Stan - February 21 - 10:33 am

  Weve had this car for 4 years and Id love to find another just like it! My wife is a home health nurse in the hills with plenty of snow to push. She feels she can go anywhere she wants with the all wheel drive and Im not sure that she cant. When the weather is questionable, we take the Passat and leave my Sierra 4WD in the garage. Regular maintenance is all we have done with no unexpected cost.

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  GTI owns ! - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By Thomas C - February 20 - 10:00 am

  This car rocks overall! The Turbo is awesome, especially since i put a chip on it. It pulls on alot of cars. I like all the features, yes the cupholder is annoying though. My BIGGEST complaint is that the interior rattled since the first week I got the car. Theres like 5 miscellaneous squeaks/rattles. And if you put your stuff in the bins, they will rattle it. Makes no sense since they padded it. My Honda Civic didnt rattle at all even with crap in it. But the 1.8T engine rules and the features for the money rocks. Over all i like it alot! I can spank RSXs, Celicas, Integras, anything in its class.

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  Good Luck w/your 99 passat - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Houstonian - February 19 - 11:10 am

  Car is great for about 70000 miles and then everything goes downhill from there. (Water pump, fuel pump, secondary air pump, cigarette lighter, etc...) Get an extended warranty if you buy a 99 Passat. Repairs are not cheap on this car.

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  Just what I wanted! - 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By larry bilardi - February 19 - 5:08 am

  The Tiguan is comfortable and sporty.

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  Problems, Turbo & Clutch - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Timsat - February 15 - 12:36 am

  It is a lemon !!! Turbo bad at 6k mi. Clutch bad at 17k mi. heated seat has a recall notice I do love driving it and the great fuel mileage !!