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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  Best Wagon for the Money - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Anonymous - December 13 - 9:26 am

  My wife and I looked at every car with a wagon or hatch rear end and this is the best car by far. We both loved the fit and feel of the interior. Exterior wont win any speed races, but is respectable none the less. For the record the bluetooth system works great and does stream from internet radio with an iphone. No diesel smell at all, and from the cabin you cant really tell its a diesel engine by sound. Rear defroster is almost instantaneous. Love the feel of the steering on long trips, very solid feeling in the wind and no sort of wandering feel you get with a lighter car.

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  Really good car, but............ - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By abeall - December 13 - 7:03 am

  We love our car, but..... We have not reached 40 MPG yet and we live in a rural area (very little city driving) - maybe will improve with warmer weather. Our biggest complainant is that the "ERG filter gasket" has twice needed to be replaced. No big deal expect for inconvenience of two service appointments in the first 2000 miles. Its not a quick fix either and the part had to be ordered both times for a total of 4 trips to dealership. Our Service Manager stated that this has happened on other Jetta TDI wagons - So why not stock the part??? Otherwise a great car

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  Run away! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Cheesehead in TX - December 13 - 4:33 am

  Well, this was an experiment in "Premium German Engineering" that will never be repeated in my life. This is the absolute worst of the 20 cars I have owned in my lifetime. Cannot even remember all the broken things in only 8 months- catalytic converters, brakes, oil leaks, coolant leaks, broken power seats, inferior leather seats. And scheduled maintenance! What a joke- $2k for brake work, $2300 for cats, $1500 for timing belt + getting rid of PLASTIC water pump. Run away, do not even consider one of these used. If you have to have a VW, but it new and sell it before its 4 years old. Period.

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  hybrid killer - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Anonymous - December 13 - 2:45 am

  Remarkable, comfortable, economical and extremely competent vehicle. We have over 4000 miles on it and always get about 41+mpg per tank. On individual trips the mileage will vary. Last week commuting to school my wife got 47.3 mpg on her 120 mile round trip. The car is very comfortable with typical supportive German seats. The car feels a lot like the older Mercedes we have owned in the past. So far there have been no maintenance issues at all. Very reliable and fun to drive. The trunk is huge and square shaped so packing is easy and convenient. There is nothing negative about this vehicle at all. For 26,116 dollars you can get one great ride and it does not have a 300 Pound toxic waste dump battery

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  VW Pasat Wagon - Is a great Car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By RickF - December 13 - 2:03 am

  I purchased a 2003 VW Passat Wagon with 38,000 in Jan 2006 for $12.9K and drove the car for 4+ years with never a problem. Sure I had to replace the usual stuff Brakes, Tires and the battery, but all in all the 03 Passat was the best, most reliable car I have ever owned. I just purchased a 2010 Jetta Sportwagen TDI to replace it, and I hope it is just as good. I see concerns that VW repairs are expensive, but not really much more than anything else. Find a good local VW Mech, stay away from the dealership 4 repairs, $100 per hour labor can add up fast. Also, if you cannot change the headlamp on one of these cars (others complaining), you have no business under the hood, it is a 2 min job.

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  Green Car - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jasper933 - December 13 - 1:23 am

  Very satisfied with the Jetta TDI. The drive (on dry pavement), comfort, and fuel economy are outstanding. Good green car and alternative to a hybrid. One can tell it is a diesel on a cold morning. When temperature is below 30, the car does sound like a diesel truck. The car does not handle well in snow. Does not have good traction.

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  I am stocked - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ggeeoo - December 12 - 11:41 pm

  I have not drove a VW since my brothers VW transporter in 1972 trip to Baja Mexico. We bought a clean Diesel TDI Jetta wagon I have drove 280 miles and my tank is still 1/2 full. I had to junk my 11 year old Buick Park Ultra Sedan. The steering collapsed. I am a big guy 6 4" the Jetta fits me great. Leg room elbow comfort, hip space head room comfy seats. Lots of electronics the radio and speakers are concert hall quality. I can put my entire CD collection on one 4gb flash card and plays the all. Next year a HOMELINK feature would be good. I love it what a nice car. After reading the history I did not know the British ran the company.

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  Jetta, not living up to long term rep - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lizzie - December 12 - 3:16 pm

  I had two Jettas. The first 2006 Jetta I had I bought brand new and ended up getting it replaced because I had to replace the driver side door seal three times along with several other electrical problems. The dealer gave me another Jetta after that fiasco and ended up having even more problems. I had so many wiring and mechanical problems. My trunk actually flew up on I35 in the middle of a roadtrip with all of my stuff in the back because of an electrical glitch. Also, the dealer didnt follow through on service like they said, ESPECIALLY with tire car, and I ended up having to replace all 4 tires within only 20,000 miles. One of them was replaced TWICE. I no longer drive a Jetta.

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  TDI rules - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By turbobee - December 11 - 10:10 pm

  I love the performance of my Jetta GL TDI now that the MAF has been replaced. I zoom all over town and down the freeway.

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  Second Jetta... they keep getting better - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brooke - December 11 - 4:56 pm

  I bought my second Jetta 3/07. I was a fan of my 2002 GLS manual Jetta but WOW do I love my 2007 automatic Wolf! So much more pep and the interior leatherette and heated seats are great. Averaging 30 MPG highway, which is better then my 2002 manual was. Im about to hit 5000 miles and so far this car is the best. I will stick with VW for my next car too b/c for the money you cant beat all that you get.