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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  Spewing black smoke from exhaust - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Clark (Hamilton) - June 14 - 7:06 am

  I just found this site and noticed someone else has the same issue! I assumed my car was a diesel and would emit black smoke so never panicked. It seemed to get worse so I asked the "simple" question at my dealer. They told me bring it in. Should be a simple hose replacement $150ish. 4 hours later. I come back to find my engine completely apart. The mechanic brings me back and shows me scoring on my fuel injectors and tells me my engine is shot! $7,000 estimate from the dealer to rebuild only the top portion of my engine and I only have 130,000 km on it! I intend to take this to the top.

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  Just great - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andy Silverstein - June 13 - 8:20 am

  With fuel prices rising, this is the only way to go. Why bother with hybrids when a tried and true TDI is there. It is fairly quick, gets over 40 mpg in mixed driving, looks and feels like a luxury car. This is my fifth VW and I currently have a Golf, New Beetle Convertable, and the Jetta TDI. The others are wonderful but this may turn out to be the best. I traded a V6 4Motion Passat for the TDI and feature for feature the New Jetta is way aahead.

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  Love this VW! - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Coco - June 13 - 3:56 am

  I really love this VW and I was used to driving sports cars. It handles well and it took me little time to get used to the size. I have had some problems with the tire pressure monitoring system - it goes off now and then, but have learned to reset it. Also, I had a problem with the battery dying and being stuck in my garage and tow truck drivers not knowing how to start the car and having to drag it out of my garage. VW paid for the tows and the new battery. I now know how to "hot wire" it, so it shouldnt be a problem in the future. Even my dog likes the car!

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  Same issues EVERYONE has... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed - June 12 - 5:16 pm

  Bought "certified used" ran great for the extended warranty period. Heater stopped working 1yr after purchase, brought it to the dealer only to be told it was working fine, charged $200 for the "labor". Heater still blew cool air but I couldnt pay more money so I just made do. 3 yrs later, check oil pressure warnings consistently 1k-2k miles before the suggested oil service. I put so much oil into this piece I have to keep 5qt jugs in the trunk, NO LEAKS! Where is it going?! All 4 ignition coils burnt out! Never got recall notices but after calling THEM was told I qualify. Thermostat stuck open, clogged heater core. Headlamps constantly burn out, replaced all of them nearly twice a year!

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  What a Piece of Junk - 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Bill - June 12 - 1:40 am

  My girlfriend owns this car and I cant tell you how many headaches it has given me. I will never buy another Volkswagen ever again. It has had problems with the window regulators, engine, exhaust system, and brakes. Im too upset to write anymore because Im going to be plunking down hundreds of dollars next week for the window regulators. I know so many people with Volkswagen horror stories.

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  The Rabbit is a Wonderful Car! - 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit
  By k8er07 - June 11 - 2:30 pm

  The Rabbit is not only an attractive car, it is very safe. I was in an accident, and it saved my life. The Rabbit is very affordable, and is the perfect car for the city, a student, or especially someone directly out of school.

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  50 MPG Baby - 2003 Volkswagen Golf
  By Ryan - June 11 - 1:26 pm

  This was the last year for safe Biodiesel use. Great car, keep it under 60, and get 60 MPG!

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  My VW - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By larryvii - June 11 - 11:50 am

  Love to drive it and great gas mileage.

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  This car is a monster - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sbass - June 11 - 10:00 am

  While I love to drive this car, it is a repair nightmare. The car has only 33,000 miles on it and I have already purchased a new clutch and timing belt. Not to mention the myriad spooky electrical problems and the fact that the "emissions workshop" light is almost always on no matter what I do. Run, dont walk, away from volkswagen. The car is truly unreliable, and the service is awful. (My car was completely dead and they wouldnt even look at it for 3 weeks!)

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  Perfection - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By DeltaC - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Perfection on and offroad, very sophisticated technology and attention in every small detail, excellent comfort (air suspension) and safety standards, impressive ride and beautiful design, easily the best high- end 4X4 till today. Makers tried their very best here... Range Rovers and MLs beware.