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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  VW falls apart after 50K - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rgbrown - April 25 - 10:00 am

  After 50,000 iles my car has had the transmition, altenator, two starters, two air conditioning compressors, the catalytic converter, cam seal, two keys and a few other repairs done. Thanksfully all covered by the extended warranty. I am at the end of the warranty and getting rid of this car.

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  Nothing But Headaches!!!! - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kelboom01 - April 23 - 11:38 pm

  Bought my car used with 25,000 miles on it and within first year was met with of course the rear window not working issue that looks as though is a "normal" problem with this type of car. So needless to say $1,000 to fix and then front headlights blew out twice within a few months??? Now dealing with transmission "bucking" issues and passenger window not working and convertible roof not working!!!! help!!!!! NEVER AGAIN BUYING A VW...

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  Not for me - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lynnurd - April 22 - 8:13 pm

  When I first bought my Beetle, it was great. Then all sorts of things started going wrong. My check engine light came on (which cost more for the diagnostic check then for the parts and labor) - 2 weeks later, it came on again... my dealer cant find anything wrong with it though. My headlight went out and I had to pay $45 for the dealership to fix it. Any time I have a problem, I have to take it to the dealer because no one else can fix it. Forget saving money on gas, youll only spend it on oil changes because it uses synthetic only. I am NEVER buying an import car again. Im going back to Chevy. I never had a problem with any of their cars! The only positive is it can cut in and out of traffic well.

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  One problem after another - 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By slf - April 22 - 7:16 am

  Weve had one problem after another with our Eurovan. Great when everything works correctly. The outside door handles have now failed twice (both front doors!). Told by VW that its not a design flaw, out of warranty and paid nearly $800 to have them fixed only to have the drivers side fail again 6 months later. Now I cant unlock the doors with the keyless entry or hand key without them locking again immediately. Looking for a replacement vehicle now.

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  Exterminate the Beetle - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kattkat242aol.com - April 19 - 2:00 am

  To anyone looking to lease or buy this adorable decieving automobile. THINK TWICE!!! Not only did I pre-order it 6 months in advance it has spent at least 6 weeks in the shop for various different things. From the day I recieved it May 1, 2003 it has been nothing but problems one being very dangerous in fact life threatening. It is currently being procesed under the New York State LEMON LAW. Yes you heard it here folks a big fat ( adorable) LEMON.I had VWs in the past and were a loyal lover of the beetle. Now I think I need to get a big fat can of RAID. Feel free to e mail . Kattkat24@aol.com

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  VW new motto: Suckers Wanted - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By rmarcassoli - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Had the car for a little over one, and already it has been in the shop four time for repair work. Electrical problems, window problems, total brake & rotor replacement at 19K, and sensor problems. Carseat fabric is the most horrible material known to humans. Make sure you get the upgraded stereo so you will not have to listen to all the sqeaks the car makes. Basically all the same headaches that everyone else on the site has been having. Spoken to many people who have the same feeling..as time goes on the car has more and more problems. Totally regret buying this car, high price and low quality.

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  New 200hp Jetta GLX - Bad News - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Casasf - April 17 - 2:00 am

  My 2002 Jetta V6 GLX with the 200hp engine has been nothing but trouble. The car is a month old, & already its been in the shop 8 days. 1st, the engine control module went. My svc mgr let slip that 500 other Jettas had the same problem. 2nd, the drivers side door didnt fit. It had to be reinstalled. 3rd, the car blew its coolant all over the garage floor. The svc dept found "nothing wrong". 4th, the car does not idle well. It races then dies. The svc dept has been unable to find the problem. The svc mgr is so fed up he is ready to call in an official VW rep, thus handing this problem car off on someone else. It is my opinion that this car is a lemon. Buyers beware.

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  Buyers beware - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Courtney - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with my Jetta until after 4000 the engine had to be replaced. I have received terrible customer service from VW and am working with the BBB to get my money back. It was a great car, I just got a lemon. Be careful.

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  Good Looking Manufacturer Buyback - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Niels Leppert - April 13 - 10:03 am

  Factory Buyback. Our 2004 Touareg was great looking, great off-road (low-range rocks!) but was a miserable experience until the day VW (was forced) to buy it back: The V6 engine is weak and sucks down fuel. My new BMW X5 4.4i gets much better gas mileage. The Touareg had tire pressure monitoring failures from the day we bought it. We had trim and rattle problems, squealing rotors, remote lock/unlock issues, A/C windshield fogging problems, and a wiper blade that flew off in a rainstorm. 23 shops days in under 10,000 miles. After three repeat repair attempts and filing Lemon law, VW tried lawyering out of it until losing the arbitration. PS - I love my new BMW X5...Are you listening, Zieter?

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  DO NOT BUY A VW - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By HBea - April 11 - 3:40 pm

  I purchased a brand new 2004 Jetta, nothing but problems. It only has 7000 miles on it! I now know why you dont see VW on the road found dead, THEY ARE IN THE SHOP!!! They are overpriced for the problems with the reliability one will come across. The Manf. Customer care line is disrespectful and unhelpful. I will never buy a VW again. I am not one of those women who complains about being mistreated by auto dealerships but this company has taken the cake for disrespect against me an educated, witty, smart and blonde woman. I do not call you by names, do not call me "honey!" By this statement alone I knew where I stood .