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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  Extremely Reliable - 2013 Volkswagen Golf
  By David Kay - May 4 - 2:35 am

  I own a 2013 Golf TDI. Bought it in Jan. 2014 with 9,000 miles. Its now March 2015. I have put about 13,000 miles on it in that time. Not one service call. Not one single issue. Not one broken part. Not one headache. Not one single problem. (i sure hope I dont jinx myself). The car just works and goes and goes. The car is well built. Super quality and tremendous build quality. Not one single nightmare, not one single issue. Nothing. The car just works. Its such a pleasure to drive. Im 61 about 250lbs and was considering on bumping up to the Touareg TDI , but I am so scared because this car just doesnt have any issues. Super happy with this vehicle. Highly recommend.

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  2009 VW Rabbit 2dr - 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By 2009 Rabbit - May 3 - 6:23 pm

  Well built with more than expected standard features. Excellent performance and safety features. Interior of car feels like a much larger car. Average mileage has been 27 mpg in all around driving. Very quiet interior and smooth 6 spd tiptronic auto trans. I am extremely happy after 2 months with this gem.

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  NEW BEETLE TDI IS A GREAT VW! - 2013 Volkswagen Beetle
  By countrydan1 - May 3 - 2:55 am

  Our new Beetle is our 7th VW. The new Beetle TDI is a far cry from our 2003 model with 490,000 miles. It still gets 47mpg, the new one is not so good, but at 41-45 that ain"t bad. It rides like a much larger car, but is fun to drive and quick in both acceleration and twisty roads and traffic. My wife is very impressed, since she drives it to work because of the gas mileage. Our previous jetta topped out at about 25 mpg, but was also a great car. The Beetle TDI is an ideal short or long trip vehicle, well appointed and much roomier that we imagined. My wife has owned much more expensive cars like Mercedes and Audi, but the Beetle TDI is her favorite. Go Figure.

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  The ugly face of Volkswagen - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By user - May 2 - 5:21 pm

  The car is intentionally stripped down in the most offensive fashion. E.g., take heating/AC: - an internal sensor, thermostat and handle to maintain interior temp in $36k car would cost a few bucks (literally), not there - rear heat area can only controlled from the 2-nd, no way to control it from the drivers seat? Everythings like, everything. Having rented VWs many times in Europe, I thought I knew VW UI. Big mistake.

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  not a hot hatch its better - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By yager - May 2 - 10:00 am

  next week will be a year,have all options,black leather,black paint. 15,500 mi must have one of the first ones. love the car it can do every thing very good. understear is the cars only weakness in performance.I have a 2000 mazda miata a true sports car so the vw fells big and heavy.For every day use you cant beat its low end power and interior comfort and quality.

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  Will get another... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By evrywmn - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Moved up to the Passat from a Saturn SC2 when I decided I needed a little more "grown up" car. Really have enjoyed driving it but this car saved my butt, I believe, thanks to the 4MOTION. Was knocked across a highway median by a van and managed to stay under control until I came to a stop. After reveiwing the accident scene, the CHP officer offered me a job! He couldnt believe how well Id stuck to the road. I probably wont keep this one when my lease is up but Im sure to get another.

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  Looks/Handles Great - Highly Undreliable - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By NeverBuyVWAgain - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Looks great from the outside, drives like you think a German sports car should, reliability about as good as a Yugo. I have had this into the dealer 10+ times - for O2 sensor (3X)/trunk lid switch/(1 week of purchase w/ O2 sensor #1), Front rotors (3X in 30K miles-75% Highway). All problems required a SECOND visit because the parts are not in stock - brake rotors for a Jetta not in stock!? VW Corporate Customer service was all about excuses - "Sir, they have to ship the replacement parts all the way from Germany!" I cant wait to unload this before something really nasty happens ("Those water droplets you see on the oil filler cap are normal").

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  My Yellow TDi Bug - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Manu/nothias - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Lots of head turning, and a fast bug with 49 mpg. Could not have asked more. Have some interior youth defaults, fixed on the newer models. 83000 miles and still going like new. Love passing on the left lane, and seing the SUV stopping for gas. Love that Bug even if I did not really want one, was the only TDi on the lot.

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  2000 Volkswagen Jetta GL 5M - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VW driver - May 2 - 10:00 am

  both front windows came off the guide, which is typical even in audis in hotter climates. some yellowish gunk oozes from the doors. its something oily, and it looks just like butter. the front panel light is not working. oil pan was leaking, which is *not* the fault of VW. not so great mileage (~25 in the highway). also, its very low to the ground, and my "ground effects" got stripped away :( good sound system, but CDs take a while to load. great AC and heater. i will not recommend this to anyone.

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  Great Car! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TDILOVER - May 2 - 10:00 am

  This car has not been in the shop for anything except for the regular maintenance intervals. I bought the car because I drive about 50,000 miles per year and wanted the good gas mileage/longevity that a diesel provides.