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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  Where To Start With the Problems - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By rocky - February 29 - 5:46 pm

  I would have to disagree about the reliablity of the GTI. The first day I got it, the airbag light was on. They said it was the sensor in the seatbelt buckle. This was service trip #1. Then my GTI died on me three times due to the terminal connecting to the battery, trip #2. Then my car started to overheat on two seperate occasions. The dealer said it was a burnt fuse box that was above the battery that caused my fan to not kick in (good place to put a fuse huh). Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that the moonroof sqeaks and the turbo lags. If you are ever to listen to a stranger in your life, listen to me. DONT BUY THIS CAR! You will spend more time getting to know your mechanic than enjoing a turbo car.

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  Oil Burner - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Kookie - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for the looks and the 100,000 mile warranty(Engine).At 15,000 miles the temperature gauge went out,then the dealer wanted to replace the rear rotors for $400.What a joke, another dealer said the rotors were OK. This car burns oil since day one, 1 quart every 1,000 miles...V W says it,s OK.I am very disapointed with this car.I will never buy a V W again.Give me a Honda anyday.Now I know why V W recommends to change the oil every 10,000 miles...The oil is always new,since it burns so much oil, why even bother changing it?Just replace the oil filter.

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  Horrible Car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By jetsetguy - February 23 - 7:56 am

  I bought this car new and was very excited about its overall interior and exterior design and performance. My excitement quickly faded as the car is always in the shop. This is the worst car I have ever owned. It has been in the shop at least every other month. Several of the repairs lasted over a week to correct and I had to rent a car while the repair was made. It has had so many electrical and computer problems I cannot even count them. You name it, it has been broken. Here is the short list, Braking system, fuel system, Every computer system has been broken (some more than once), steering system, tire pressure monitor. NEVER buy this car.

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  Sad Ending - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ex owner - February 16 - 5:43 pm

  I purchased my bug as a gift to myself I have always wanted one since sitting in my uncles old beetle as a kid and finally got it. Unfortunately I have had many problems mostly small but they add up, my biggest problem and suggestion would be to make sure prior to purchase you have a qualified mechanic that is knowledgeable with vw that you trust. I have found this to be important with mine and unfortunately there is only one vw dealer in the area (crooks $500 oil change, because they demolished to oil pan, and later denied fault) As my car has aged though the check engine light has become a glowing friend, that mysteriously can not be fixed!This has been going on for 4 mo and $1,000, now trading

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  Beware - 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
  By Scott - February 16 - 2:40 pm

  In the first 18 months my Phaeton was in the shope for repairs a total of 19 times. It left me stranded on the side of the road twice. I had an A8 prior to this and am now getting a Lexus LS 430 to replace it.

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  Dont buy one at any price - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By dismayedgerman - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I own a 2000 Passat. The first year this car was great. Starting in January of 01 the wiper motor went out. Then the check engine light started coming on. In May 01, check engine light comes on. Trunk lid opens on its own. Door locks open and close on their own. Car will start and not start. The gasket that protects the passenger compartment from the outside elements was defective and allowed the water to leak in and ruin the computer etc.. It came that way from the factory in Germany. The car has been in again for a malfunctioning air injector pump, vacuum hoses and mass air flow sensor. If you are thinking about buying one dont.

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  pricey - 2005 Volkswagen GTI
  By viadisgr - February 7 - 12:00 am

  Bought my Gti off a lease,was happy with it.But when my timing belt went at 70,000.Not happy with that.Spent to much money on it.

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  Possible Headache with Nightmare - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Possible Nightmare - February 5 - 1:06 am

  The sideview mirros are smaller and you can misjudge your clearance to pass. The engine valve are louder ....have had 3 recalls. I took it back and the claim it was repaired.. it is louder. The drivers side door is warped! The front speakers in the door are crackling...no one told you could put change in the top tray.. which fell down behind the dash.. no telling what damage that will cause.. get this you cant slide them out.. after I pay this off ... I am going back to Nissan...

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  drive - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hyegirl1 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  fun to drive yet problematic from day 1. Unable to be repaired, not reliable, not safe to drive. Never had so many problems with a car in my life. VW of Am is not helpful and car does not perform. The car is a lemon!

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  Dont Buy This Car !!!! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tf4543 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  This car has been nothing but problems since it was purchased. There are MAJOR problems (transmission, coil packs, etc) that Volkswagen refuses to address. VW has no regard for its customers.