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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  Buyer Beware - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By roger f - May 6 - 3:40 am

  The appearance looks great, but buyer beware. I have had more problems with this vehicle than all the cars I have combined in 45 years. Electrical problems began from the very beginning.The check engine light came on all the time.The car was in the shop frequently. I have had to replace both rear wheel bearings with just over 50,000 miles on the vehicle. I contacted Volkswagen USA and they were very rude and abrupt and stated the wheel bearings had to be replaced because of the bad road conditions. I would caution any buyer to stay clear of any Volkswagen vehicles. They do not build them like they use to. Repairs are extremely costly! I just picked up my car from the dealership and was

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  I should have pursued the Lemon Law - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By jal - May 4 - 11:50 am

  Transmission clunking on downshifting, service dept said they could not duplicate the problem. Thus, they can not fix it. Tire pressure monitors not working, cracked panels at dash, seat belts locking and have to be cut off. Center carrier barring had to be replaced. I started Lemon Law proceeding on this. It just happens that the day VW recieved by defect notification, "suddenly" they can fix my vehicle. I sold it after less then one year and bought Lexus RX 330 and lost several thousand dollars over my purchase of the 2004 Touareg, SUV of the year. I was so happy to get rid of the VW, and never happier driving a vehicle like the RX330.....

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  The ugly face of Volkswagen - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By user - May 2 - 5:21 pm

  The car is intentionally stripped down in the most offensive fashion. E.g., take heating/AC: - an internal sensor, thermostat and handle to maintain interior temp in $36k car would cost a few bucks (literally), not there - rear heat area can only controlled from the 2-nd, no way to control it from the drivers seat? Everythings like, everything. Having rented VWs many times in Europe, I thought I knew VW UI. Big mistake.

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  Looks/Handles Great - Highly Undreliable - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By NeverBuyVWAgain - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Looks great from the outside, drives like you think a German sports car should, reliability about as good as a Yugo. I have had this into the dealer 10+ times - for O2 sensor (3X)/trunk lid switch/(1 week of purchase w/ O2 sensor #1), Front rotors (3X in 30K miles-75% Highway). All problems required a SECOND visit because the parts are not in stock - brake rotors for a Jetta not in stock!? VW Corporate Customer service was all about excuses - "Sir, they have to ship the replacement parts all the way from Germany!" I cant wait to unload this before something really nasty happens ("Those water droplets you see on the oil filler cap are normal").

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  2000 Volkswagen Jetta GL 5M - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By VW driver - May 2 - 10:00 am

  both front windows came off the guide, which is typical even in audis in hotter climates. some yellowish gunk oozes from the doors. its something oily, and it looks just like butter. the front panel light is not working. oil pan was leaking, which is *not* the fault of VW. not so great mileage (~25 in the highway). also, its very low to the ground, and my "ground effects" got stripped away :( good sound system, but CDs take a while to load. great AC and heater. i will not recommend this to anyone.

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  Avoid it. - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By maxine8100 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I love the Jettas exterior design, but wish I had done my research before I bought one! Its nice outside, cramped inside. My friends have similar size cars and seem to have much more room. The worst problem is that my Wolfsburg is always in the shop. Every week it seems like something breaks, and I lose the use of my car for days and pay through the nose for repairs. This car is horribly built. Also, it is called a "turbo" but only has 150 hp. What is up with that, VW? Its cute but itll cost you. I wish I had never bought one

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  Cannot stand this van - 2011 Volkswagen Routan
  By vanluvea - May 1 - 7:36 pm

  This is my first minivan and I bought it used to save some bucks. However, I completely regret my purchase. My main complaint on this thing is interior quality. It seems like everything is taped together. Both front seats creak, creaks in the pillars, rattle in the dash and right sliding door rattles. Not to mention the windows rattle when they are down. The suspension on this thing is definitely stiffer which is fine but when the interior is built so poorly it easily shows. The worst part is the Caravan seems better by a small margin. I am ditching this thing for an Odyssey and willing to lose some cash on my trade in. Thats just how much I hate it.

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  I should have listened to my instinct!! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Never Will Again - April 30 - 1:10 am

  I got this car thinking I would give VW a chance in hopes that they had come a long way. I knew that VW/Audi didnt have the best consumer reports for reliability, but I felt if I found one that was care for w/ low miles, I would be fine. I was wrong. In the short time I have had it, I had to replace the ignition coils, a hose, the emobilizer shut my car down from moving (when all I had was a dead battery), and now finally, the timing belt just skipped a notch and blew the head and bent valves!! You wanna know how much the repairs are? Oh about $3000-4000. That is no joke. I am so mad I ever got this car. I warn you now, dont make the mistake I did. email if you have more questions.

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  The worst gas mileage - 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By curiousmoona1 - April 27 - 11:51 pm

  I automatically assumed that the gas mileage would be good in this car. I only get about 18mpg. The interior of the car is less than desirable. The older models 1972 and 1976 Super Beetle were well made and better mileage. I will not reccomend this car to anyone. My husband and I are very disappointed with this car. We paid over $30,000, plus extended warranty for this vehicle. We will not reccomend this car to anyone. William & Judith Loftus

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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.