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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  Almost perfectly reliable for 93K miles - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bart - September 27 - 1:06 pm

  Total repairs include one throttle body (under warranty), broken clips on power window during a winter freeze (fixed for free by a dealer), and brake pads/rotors. Rear brakes were at 92K miles, fronts at 80k. Thats it. Another example of buying at the end of a model run for best reliability? This has been a perfect extra family car in terms of reliability, economy (27-30 mpg) and practicality. With good snows and stability control, it handles New England snow very well. Performance is modest with the 2.0 liter and automatic, but fine on the hiwy. Handling is serious understeer, but it is a predictable car to drive and I dont dread switching from my A4 quattro when the occasion arises.

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  The high cost of love - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Nate - September 27 - 12:33 pm

  I LOVE this car. I HATE what it costs to keep the love affair going. It is a dream to drive. The interior is beautiful. The features are bountiful. My friendly/local/helpful dealer (Maple Hill Auto - Kalamazoo) is sending his kids thru college on me: 3 sets of rear brakes 1 Torque convertor (mis-diagnosed) 1 $3700 re-manufactured transmission 2 boots 3 batteries 5K mile synthetic oil changes 1 tune up 3 headlights 2 tail lamps 6 wipers Ill be having the timing belt and water pump changed in spring; and the 120K tune up in summer. The car still puts a smile on my face. It has all the features (but no compass) that I want. I get 23.4 MPG overall with no oil burning.

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  My All Time Favorite Car - 03 Jetta wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By zener - September 27 - 8:57 am

  Of course its looks caught my eye first. Cute, but more than cute - stylish. Some cars have a classic, timeless design like a certain Honda Civic. This generation of Jetta does too. Bought it used with 21K miles, and gradually fell in love with it. Never got great gas mileage, about 21mpg. But I liked its zippy handling. Great car for city driving (and parking). Very useful cargo area. Rear seat a bit cramped for big adults. Engine is remarkable. Once, by necessity, drove it 8 miles without oil. Replaced punctured oil pan, added oil, and kept on going. Difficult to clean the beige interior, so I sold it. Hard to find a car this small on outside, this big on inside, so fun to drive.

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  Solid German Engineering & Build - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By Arkansas Joe - September 26 - 12:33 pm

  Very nice car although little too mushy for my own taste, this is The 6th VW car in my family over span of last 20 years, can tell that VW can build them like no other, 2.0T FSI does a great job!(efficiency plus power) Engine lags a bit during initial take off but speed climbs rapidly soon after, cruises like a V6 and ride is quiet, predictable and SMOOTH; the steering does become very precise as speed increases. Interior detail is awesome - Japan & US should take note, German still way ahead of the game here - ergonomics with ultra tight tolerance. First tank of gas got mileage of 23 mpg from 50/50 mix hwy & city driving, not bad! Exterior fit and finish is EXCELLENT, great lines!!

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  Blast to drive - 2004 Volkswagen GTI
  By Addicted2fit - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I own a 2002 VW GTI and love the car. It is so fun to drive. For the money you cannot beat the value. The only complaint I have is some electrical problems from time to time. The dealership has been great about getting them fixed and getting me a loaner to drive while in service. Love the car and recomend it highly to all that ask.

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  Never again will I buy VW!!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By GEN - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the first car I have ever owned. I was so happy the day I got it. I picked it out from color to package. I got everything I wanted and was thrilled. Well that is were the fairytale ends. The dealership has been horrible to work with and this car has problems after problems. First the side molding broke. We have no idea how. Took it in to be fixed along with a door that would not close. Well they fixed the door, but not the molding. The homelink system fell out next. The radio does not work now and the kicker is just tonight I went outside to pack the car for a trip and I have three inches of water in my back floor board. My car is leaking.

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  Review - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jwarring23 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jetta GLS 2.0 automatic two weeks ago. It is a great ride, the leather package is a charm and it gets great gas mileage. I drove from Pensicola Florida to Atlanta Georgia on one tank of gas. Its a great buy.

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  Awesome - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brittnay - September 26 - 10:00 am

  best kar ever... best everything, steering,style, I love the jettas!

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  Most "Luv The Car Dude" per miles - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By SpiceUmUp - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE this car. More smiles per mile than any car I have ever owned. Solid, well built, top quality materials and NEARLY EVERYONE gives ya a thumbs up or a smile as you go by. Young kids call out to you and pretty women give you a smile. The rear seat is only for children or small adults but head room for this 6 2" driver is great with the top in place. The top goes down easily and back up just as well and it is as tight with the top up as many sedans. The car is wonderful. It handles well on the tristy country road, but a bit harsh over expension joints on the highway. The Short wheel base makes speed bumps tough.

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  Not worth it. - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By John - September 25 - 5:26 pm

  I have owned my used Passat for less than a year. I bought it with 70k miles, and it currently has 85k. In that time I spent $4000 maintaining this car. Engine leaks from everywhere, bad coils, and some preventative maintenance changing the timing belt and water pump. There are still issues with it I simply cant afford to fix. I really wanted to love this car. I really wanted a reliable car. This wasnt the right choice.