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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  Electrical NIGHTMARE!! - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gvine - June 3 - 11:03 pm

  I bought my GLI in August 09 with 22,700 miles. Had it for less than 6 months and the headache began. Battery went dead and has been to the dealership 4 times in 30 days! Dealership actually admitted "They have no idea, whats causing the battery to keep dying." They kept it in their possesion once for 13 days & got it "all fixed." (by their standards) Brought it home, 36 hrs later, DEAD BATTERY! They replaced battery, radio, and now have ordered motor for the drvr back window. When the car runs, it is a DEMON! but, dont expect it to be reliable. 2nd VW Ive owned, 1st was a Passat; it had elec probs too. DONT BUY A VW!!!!

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  HEAD TURNER WITH FLAWS - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By shelter - May 26 - 2:00 am

  The V.W. sundown orange attracts lots of attention,all positive from both sexes. The ride is very hard and the level and frequency of noise and rattles is excessive and annoying. Most of the rattles etc eminates from the door-body area.as well as the convertible top. In spite of the noise and ride it is fun to drive.

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  Jetta window problems - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VW previous owner - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Window regulators on power windows fail causing the window(s) to fall into the door. VW has not issued a recall on these parts even though they are aware of the problem. From what I have read, consumers have been reporting this failure on Jettas for several years. Replacing the window regulators can be a costly repair. My passenger window failed twice within 10 months. Regulator kits were on national backorder. The car window was unsecured for over a week. Experienced very poor service.

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  Maybe - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By James E - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Had this SUV for a month. Its been to the shop twice already. Ride is comfortable not enough power. Go with the V8. I was displeased with the sales staff at the location where I purchased the vehicle. I caught the sales staff in a few different lies. Lame, just sell the car.

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  1998 VWBeetle--Pass it up - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jonesy - May 19 - 10:00 am

  The 1998 VW Beetle is the worst car I ever had. My mechanic told me with all the repairs I have had, I could have bought a Jaquar. Maybe Ill buy a Jag for my next car. Might as well.

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  Adorable Car with Way Too Many Issues - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By LS - May 16 - 2:03 pm

  Fell in love with this car and bought it new. Within the first three months, I think it was in the shop about 4 times. Since then, particularly during summer months, its in the shop on average about once every 6 weeks. Have had problems with the windows, the speakers, the battery (twice), the roof has broken countless times, the wiring on the tail lights, the airbag sensors, the blinker - and the door, which still isnt fixed. Also, the service at my dealership is terrible. They once replaced the wrong airbag so the sensor came back on a couple days later. I would ABSOLUTELY NOT RECOMMEND this car. They take no accountability and I will never purchase another VW, no matter how cute.

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  problems - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By FUSTRATED - May 15 - 10:00 am

  this car has had the onstar computer replaced 4 times and still has the same problem VW blames onstar. VW is aware of a hard downshift problem for over 6 months all they tell the owner is they are waiting for the program from Germany. It dost take that long to build a car.

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  VW are Lemons! - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Disappointed - May 13 - 9:40 pm

  Owned this car for 6 years and it was nothing but problems. After 40,000 miles, car falls apart. The interior fell apart 2 years after I got it. A week after I bought it, the EPC light came on and didnt let me put the car on Drive, had to learn a trick to start the car on Neutral and drive it. It did this through the 6 years I owned it. Replaced 3 batteries in 6 years, $300+ each. Water pump and timing belt busted on me at 60,000 miles.3 engine hoses replaced because they are made out of plastic and burned. VW dealers are incompetent and steal your money. Tranny began to fail and wouldnt shift gears. VW dealers say trannies never need oil changes, it is a lie.

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  Caveat Emptor - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By joeschmoe - May 12 - 7:43 pm

  We bought this T-reg with 7K miles from fleet use. We are very glad we bought the extended warranty, as this car has required over $6K in repairs over the last year. Finally traded it in this week with 97K miles on the odometer. This vehicle performed well in all weather and road conditions. We live in Minnesota where the snow and ice can come quick and strong, and the T-reg could handle all conditions, with good style and comfort. The V6 is a bit underpowered for a vehicle this heavy, but we did not do any towing, so we were OK. There was not enough room in the drivers seat for my 62" frame, so I would frequently get uncomfortable on long drives. Reliability problems are bad.

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  Not What They Used To Be - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rebecca - May 7 - 10:10 pm

  This is my 4th Beetle and my favorite thing about the new Beetle is that the heater works. Heres a list of things that no longer work in the car; drivers side window no longer goes up and down, tape player stopped working, antenna fell off, passenger side window motor had to be replaced (as well as drivers side, but still doesnt work because the button broke off), side view mirror button broke off, trunk doesnt latch, hood latch occasionally doesnt work, locking gas door no longer locks, A/C no longer operating. This is unbelievable considering I am the only driver of this vehicle and am no kid. Also, most importantly its oil consumption worrisome at best.