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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  Surprisingly poor driving car - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dm3 - July 10 - 12:29 am

  The 6 speed auto transmission is one of the most unresponsive that I have ever driven. The engine is underpowered. Throttle response is not smooth. Initially the car does nothing then surges. The transmission is too reluctant to downshift making for a frustrating drive. The transmission downshifts much too slowly. Mash the throttle and I sometimes forget that Ive done it as the seconds count down (2-3 seconds). That can be dangerous is you try to jump lanes. Interior feels unusually cheap for a VW. No cup holders in the rear. No cruise control. Rear view mirror can obstruct.

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  Disappointing - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By GoME! - July 7 - 5:36 am

  I bought this car without doing my research. I wish I had, it had problems from the moment I bought it. First the brake light switch, then water pump, now crazy electrical issues no one can figure out. Its very unreliable, and Ive taken it to 4 different mechanics and handed the key handed back to me saying they have no idea whats wrong with it. Im in college, so I had to downgrade to an older Toyota. It makes me sad, I loved my Jetta, but I would absolutely not recommend it to anyone. In fact, I vehemently advise all people I know considering a V-Dub, and anyone reading this, LOOK ELSEWHERE! Ive heard a overwhelming number of similar stories, and wish I had done better research.

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  2000 Jetta - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jasmine - July 6 - 10:40 pm

  It is my first car so my dad wanted to get me a used one. I was stupid to start with a volkswagon. I wanted a cute car so did not even think about reliability. The bumpers are cheaper than something at the 99 cent store. The plastic underlining catches on to anything and everything. I have had to replace the bumper once and recently cracked it again. But because I am getting a new car in a couple month, I just taped it. The brake makes a terrible sound every time I take my foot off the pedal. Fun ride but not worth it with the cheap build.

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  O Well - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By bob - July 6 - 8:30 pm

  I found all the initial reports to be very favorable. My wife hates to drive the Jetta due to a stall when she trys to merge into traffic. I now believe that the car is a death trap.

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  Run away fast! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By wolfman333 - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Sexy car inside and out. Drives nicely on the freeway. Mine has some really bad rattles that the dealership cant seem to fix and I may have to get an attorney to get VW to do anything about it. Climatronic is the most illogical and difficult to use heating/air conditioning system Ive ever encountered. If youre living in ignorant bliss buy this car. If real quality matters run away fast.

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  Dont buy a Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Gordon Williams - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for 2 years and have 70,000 mile, 3000 mile oil changes with synthetic etc., the car has been maintained meticulously and its continues to be in and out of the shop for days at a time. The fit and finish is terrible, wind noise (migrating weather striping), window falling down in the doors, tail lights blowing, sunroof breaking, and now the transmission appears to be on its way out. Keep away!

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  Whatever you do, dont do it! - 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Vic1896 - July 1 - 11:40 pm

  Purchased a 2000 VW Cabrio from a used car dealership in New Jersey (that was my first mistake as I am a New York resident.) Drove the car off the lot and within 3 miles, check engine light came on. Checked fluids, proceeded with our trip home. Within 10 miles, the cars manual transmission jumps out of fifth gear while going 65 mph on a 4 lane highway. With the dealership closed (and being the car was sold "as- is", we limped home. The 2 hour trip ended up taking nearly 3 hours. Mechanic found the transmission had been replaced but not refilled with transmission fluid. Brand New tranny installed only to find the starter was also malfunctioning. Meanwhile, the check engine light was on.

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  Electrical issues - poor reliability - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Christian - July 1 - 12:56 am

  My first passat (1998 model) was replaced through the "lemon law" because engine would stall suddenly and the dealer could never solve the problem. This happened a half dozen times, every couple thousand miles on average. I thought I was unlucky, and gave another chance to this second passat. Now, Im well on my way to going to the lemon law again, because of an oil pressure problem that the dealer cannot fix (after three attempts...). This is too much to be a coincidence.

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  Unhappy -- but now happy! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By BOBM - June 30 - 6:06 am

  I was excited when my wife and I bought her brand new VW New Beetle turbodiesel. Ive never had a worse car in terms of mechanical failures. It had problems with the power windows, A/C, etc. I was unhappy every time it broke, including needing a new manual transmission with only 30,000 miles on it. Some of the cost was covered by warranty. I sold the car recently on eBay. Now Im happy.

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  VW disappointment - 2000 Volkswagen Golf
  By rpauley - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought a loaded GLX TDI with all options. Creaked and groaned when first driven off the lot. Told it would go away. Windshield defective has a coating on the inside that cant be cleaned off. 3rd heater motor, window quit. Rattles and thumps are embarassing told I was acutely sensitive by service mgr. Velcro lint catcher interior discusting.