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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  Great car (except for the mileage) - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By donzelli - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Really like my new GLX 4Motion but the MPG is a shock after getting 28+ in my Saturn SC2.

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  German engineering is a myth - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By superpyogenic - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Gas mileage is great and the performance is about the same as the pathetic 2.0 engine. Reliability is a serious issue. Both tie rods, the infamous VW window regulator, a brake relay, and now the power steering pump have all failed after the lame warranty ran out. German engineering is a myth. These cars break just as often but cost twice as much to fix.

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  fun but there is a price to pay - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By johnblaze03 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I was so excited when I picked up my black 98 Beetle from the dealership. However, this feeling quickly turned to frustration after multiple problems with this "car"... 1) car would not start--later determined the engine fan was running almost 24 hours a day, thus killing the battery. 2) "check engine" light came on, nothing determined to be wrong with the car at that time. Very frustrating problem that causes many headaches. 3) drivers side window would not come up, part took over 3 weeks to get in. 4) when I shifted to 4th gear, and odd clicking noise would come from the engine

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  It is an Awesome Car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jawa - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Overall it is an awesome car to drive both for short commute to work or long drive to nowhere. Cool dashboard lighting is pleasant to the eyes during night driving.

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  Not Worth It - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By justajettaowner - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Jetta b/c it looked good, and it offered many amenities for the price. Thats all the VW has to offer. Reliability is absolutely awful. Bad window regulators, bad oxygen sensors, bad battery, front bumper always scrapping, coolant pipe leaks, bad oil consumption, etc. etc. I bought this car for what it offered considering the low price...and after only 2 yrs,Ive already put thousands of dollars into repairs, non of which were driver related...all due to faulty, poor parts.

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  Expensive piece of junk - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By carnut45 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had troubles with this car from day one. In the 2.5 years I have owned this car, I have had to replace the gas tank, the CD Changer TWICE, the radio, A/C compressor TWICE, power window motor, the entire electrical system, the air-flow sensor, and one of the tail lights. There are rattles in the dash, creaking in the doors, and a thump that comes from the drivers seat which the dealer says they cant find. ONE WORD: LEMON! Needless to say, I will NEVER buy another VW!

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  love the new beetle - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By holly - August 18 - 10:00 am

  This is one cute little car. The GLS has more bells and whistles than are necessary (including a bud vase) the 2 litre engine is nice even with the automatic tranny. well built. only flaw was first day of driving, the emissions control light came on and stayed on. the bug was back in the shop for three full days for diagnosis (dead emissions control computer) and fix. kind of put a damper on the new car experience, but just a little bit of driving cured that. power-assisted rack&pinion (easy, but with good road feel) and stops just right with ABS on disc brakes (all wheels). great turning radius, and its fun!

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  Terrible vehicle - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By MiMi - August 17 - 5:46 pm

  I will never, ever buy an VW vehicle again. I bough this car three years ago, and ever since, the car keeps breaking down every few weeks! Every electrical problem that could have happen, did happen. Every mechanical problem that could have happen, also did happen. The Volkswagen should be ashamed for selling such terrible vehicles. Read other reviews here before you decide to buy any VW.

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  this car rocks - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By pamela dickens - August 17 - 3:16 pm

  The Volkswagen Passat 3.6 is so fast so fast and quick. I love that the most about this car. Its maneuverabiltiy is superior to the Acura TL, that I used to own. The sound system rocks, for sure it is the best out there. All of the little details are also very important. I also like the headlights that follow your route. The sleek sexy design is also one of my favorites and its a hip car since I have tinted out the windows, lowered it and added 18 inch rims and tires. This car is one of a kind and should be showcased to give VW a new market for the younger generation.

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  Problems, Problems - 2008 Volkswagen EOS
  By Bonnie - August 17 - 10:40 am

  Shortly after buying the car it had accelleration problems, it would hesitate and the jump in causing you to be pushed forward in your seat. It was fixed by garage but after it was done the gas mileage was drastically reduced. This has not been fixed.I have leak in trunk which has not been fixed and dealership where I live is not cooperating to fix. With this water leak my vehicle is worthless. I have poblem with trunk release, condenastion or ice on inside windows and the top is rubbing on something becasue paint has been rubbed off. I have squeal in breaks and was told it is normal- really I have had many cars but none had this unless there was abreak problem.