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:

• 

  Mixed Feelings - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By devost00 - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I have very mixed feelings about this car. I love the interior and exterior styling as well as the ride quality and handling. I hate the build quality. I have had problems with leaking oil, squeaky brakes (which VW tells me is "normal"), ignition system, undercarriage...Also, the dealership and VW customer service is terrible.

• 

  A Disappointment - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Bailey - April 9 - 2:40 pm

  With a baby on the way, my husband and I decided to take the plunge and purchase a newer car in hopes that it would be a safer and more reliable vehicle than what we had. We loved the heated leather seats, sunroof, and spacious hatchback. However, having purchased it in December, it still has temporary tags as it as been in the shop for over 6 weeks. We had to purchase two new engines for the thing, a serpentine belt, turbo, and that is just to get in back on the road. We have spent over $8500 for a car I have barely driven. We should have stuck with what we had.

• 

  Most problematic VW Ive owned - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By waterwish - April 4 - 7:00 am

  This is my 4th VW. I had two 87 Jettas (one was replaced after having been totaled), and a 1999 Passat wagon that I bought used. The 99 was the BEST, lowest maintenance car that I have ever owned. I bought the 2004 Passat Wagon because they were offering 0% interest. I thought I was doing right to get a brand new car for a lower payment. I regret it now. In 2010, I spent close to $3,000 on this car for crazy repairs, along with other repairs that were under warranty or recalls, but still required the inconvenience of taking it in. Right now it is in the shop again to the tune of $1,000. Ive filed a claim with VW Customer Care. Its a lemon!

• 

  6 Months with 10 Jetta TDI - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tdidriver1 - April 3 - 7:15 am

  First, the good: the car is very fun to drive, the interior compares with much higher priced cars and the fuel economy is good. The, bad: two "campaigns" within 6 months, oil leak, sway bar (common problem Ive read) and lower control arm bushings (common problem Ive read) all replaced. Now, its leaking diesel after 18,500 miles and just about six months. There is a problem with some of the high pressure fuel pumps failing. Hopefully, this is not a precursor of the failure for me. I loved the car at first, but service at the dealers is poor and VW customer service is less than helpful. Be forewarned about the high pressure fuel pump failure and poor service from dealers

• 

  Disappointing From The Start - 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
  By clarkg - April 1 - 6:15 am

  My 2012 Touareg Lux TDI has been a disappointment as compared to the 2010 Touareg TDI I owned previously. The key/fob ignition system is a huge step backwards in convenience from the keyless start system. Unless you want to spend an additional $5K for the "Executive" version I have found the key fob gizmo in my 2012 "Lux" model as very difficult to operate properly. Upon stopping the engine the key fob cannot be removed from the dash socket about 50% of the time so I have to jockey the start/stop engine function until it can be extracted. If VW engineers were trying to prevent theft they actually have enhanced it as when the fob is stuck anyone can hop in and drive off.

• 

  Bad Geman engineering - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Phil Jon - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Passat GLS 4cyl Auto in Aug02.The 3rd day the "premium" sterio "Monsoon" stopped working.Got that fixed.In the 3rd month car started vibrating uncontrollably.The dealer said the ignition coil has to be replaced & there is a backlog of orders for the ignition coil.Time to get me a replacement??Anywhere between 2 weeks to 5 months.And the dealer located in NY said they couldnt give me a loaner car.So I had to call the VW.10 min. of haggling over the phone got me a rental car.Now I drive an Alero and my 25,000$ VW is still with the dealer.More problem fuel.VW suggests octane rating,92 & above.Dealers suggests octane rating of 87!!

• 

  Fun but not worth the money - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Goku - March 30 - 2:00 am

  The car is less than 2500 miles when the engine broke down. It was a manufacture defect, it needs to change all four "coils"!?. The parts was so back up that the dealer only change one. Handling of the car is great, but the initial acceleration is very very slow (even a Hundai Elantra accelerate better) though after 25mph the car pick up speed and has a strong kick. Very nice panal and indicators. But not enough cup holder, even less storage space in front. Imposible to set up cell phone charger since the cigaret lighter is directly infront of the auto shift knob, need more space or move it somewhere else!

• 

  Touareg - Dont Buy It - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By BrwIGrl - March 30 - 12:33 am

  I have had the vehicle for approx 4 years. It has continuous problems. In the past 2 mos, I have driven it only 3 days, the remaining days it has been in the shop. The following has been "replaced" : the instrument control panel, cruise control system, back up sensor system, tire monitoring system, water reservoir & Drive Shaft. I have replaced brake pads & headlights. There is a noise the dealer cannot find. It has lost computer modules, so the entire computer system was erased and reloaded twice. If you are thinking about purchasing this vehicle do not do it. I have been paying for a Touareg and driving a loaner Jetta. This is one high priced Jetta.

• 

  Worst Car Ever Owned - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By John Doe - March 28 - 10:23 am

  The Jetta ia a popular car and I know why. It is fun to drive. Good power. HOWEVER, he car has been in the garage being fixed more than it has been on the road. In two months over $2,000 of repairs and now they say the turbo is going bad - $2,500+ This car is immaculate and a piece of junk. Buyer beware - the turbo generates a lot of heat - causing lots of little problems. The engine will not last.

• 

  Frequent Repairs - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By lawsonvd - March 25 - 2:26 pm

  My SUV trinks! The dealership drives it more than I do. It is in the shop almost every month. I have had the front axle replaced, window shades replaced twice, cruise control, airbags repaired, air conditioner motor and fan replaced three times, all the keypads for controls on the dash have peeled off and on the door handle. The navigation is not touch screen, only dial. This is car definitely a LEMON!