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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  Fun in the Sun! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By qtbugg - April 27 - 5:27 am

  Love my bug! My husband purchased this used vehicle for my college graduation eight years ago and we have put very little money into her. Runs great, ok gas mileage, consider its Turbo not diesel. As shes starting to age shes not as quiet as a new ride, but do not look to replace her. In fact looking to change her paint job, red to hot pink.

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  Love It! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Matt - April 26 - 8:53 am

  Going on 10 years with this car and I love it as much as the day in 1997 I knew Id own one. Ive always seen VWs as cars that require more than average maintenance, so im not surprised at having to have work done. The car drives great, looks great, and (knock on wood) will be with me for many more years.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Timothy Evans - April 26 - 12:53 am

  This car was one of the worst purchases i have ever done. It worked for maybe 2k miles just fine then after that weekly now i have to fix something with this car and the value of this car is so low that even fixing the smallest thing on it could cost you more then the car is even worth. its not worth it do not buy this car because the number one thing that will i guarantee go out is the transmission just take a second to look around because i can promise you even if you bought this car brand new it still would go bad in a snap.

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  Is this car a lemon? - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By cip - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for two years and already have had to replace the transmission, various electrical issues/lights appear such as radio, air bag light, transmission light even the alarm went off while I was driving it! My passenger side window keeps having issues, and the interior is falling apart (already had both interior door handles replaced) - always been a vw driver, only has 22,000 miles and it is back in the shop - with a 4 year lease what do I do except continue in this never ending love/hate relationship with this car.

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  FUN FOR THE FAMILY - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By vanman - April 25 - 10:00 am

  We have the Weekender package and have gone on several camping trips from 2 days to 3 weeks. Both of our kids (9&2) love it. Been to St.Augustine, FL and Death Valley, CA and lots in between. Great way to do things as a family. Van drives very well at freeway speeds and is quite stable, more so than it appears since it is tall. After driving a Chrysler van on a business trip, I really appreciate the VW, far better to drive, more room, more responsive. Overall very well built, machinery is very accessible after removing engine pan. (need to do that even for oil change) Tire wear is very good, looks like well get 55-60k on original tires.

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  Great car - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By supersolidasp - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Great car, have almost 8000 miles on it already and no problems. Insane fuel economy, runs great!. Real perk for anyone the likes a peppy car and good fuel economy. Car is designed very well and it fun. On a trip to New york from Montana drove for 1 and a half days almost nonstop. Did not feel stiffly sore or pained after spending almost 800 miles at a time in car. Just stretched and felt great. Was perfect for trip, and for 5000 miles only took about 80$ The diesel is also very torquey and can climb steep grades in 5th gear and even accelerate where standard gas engines cant! Love it!

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  VW falls apart after 50K - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rgbrown - April 25 - 10:00 am

  After 50,000 iles my car has had the transmition, altenator, two starters, two air conditioning compressors, the catalytic converter, cam seal, two keys and a few other repairs done. Thanksfully all covered by the extended warranty. I am at the end of the warranty and getting rid of this car.

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  Fun. downside: window/lock switches. - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jjd - April 25 - 10:00 am

  The only crticism of this fun-to-drive car is the window and lock switches were of poor quality. The difficulty in changing headlamps is a myth (even the owners manual tells owners to take it to the dealership--I got a $53 estimate to change it). I found a procedure on the inernet and changed the passenger side headlamp quickly and for $7--the cost of the bulb.

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  So far darn good - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Thomas T - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car in July this year and I have nothing but praise for it. It looks cool,handles beautifully,has all those wonderful extras that you dont expect in the so called "entry level" model and then theres the German workmanship that you just cannot fault. A class act as far as Im concerned.

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  Solid Car, Fun to Drive - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VW DRIVER - April 25 - 9:56 am

  Paid less than the TMV price on Edmunds.com. The car is *solid*, puts a grin on your face on corners and turns. No problems with anything so far. Quiet, sturdy, quality all around you. The built-in premium CD player sounds great. I just splurged on model-specific rubber floor mats from VWs Driver gear web site as well as the cup holder insert for the center arm-rest. Now I have nothing to complain about regarding that mis-placed cup holder above the CD player.