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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  Leslie Long TDi Review - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Leslie Long - January 31 - 10:00 am

  My experience with this vehicle has been one of my worst experiences ever. The day I drove it off the lot, I knew I had made a mistake. The car had a booster problem which caused the brakes to apply when you perhaps did not want your brakes to apply. Finally, Volkswagen was forced to repurchase the car because of the "Lemon Law".

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  Awesome car with VW problems - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ChrisB - January 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Passat. I love the styling and the ride. With all VWs get used to continuous electrical problems and weak air conditioners. Headlights will start cutting out, blinkers not work, etc... (not covered under warranty). I love the car but this will be my last passat due to constant nagging problems. My first Passat had an engine that would cut out at 65 MPH on the highway (VW did not think this was an issue).

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  never again - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By john - January 30 - 5:13 am

  superb handling and performance is easily forgotten considering the problems its had. 15 months and 18k miles later it has been in the shop at least 8 times for more than 30 days. Service department was friendly but inept at fixing any of the electric malfunctions that plague this vehicle. I bought early and should have expected problems with the new model, but now 15 months later there is no excuse for not being able to fix the same issues I brought it in for within days of driving it off the lot. Do not buy one of these unless you have a satisfaction or money back guarantee from the dealer and at least 30 days to drive it before you pay.

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  Steer Clear - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By D.Ryder - January 29 - 10:10 am

  I purchased my 2005 Touareg due to VWs reputation of quality and safety. At 1,200 miles it started to make horrible metal on metal sounds from the transmition that the dealership could not duplicate because once the transmition would warm up it would stop. Starting at 2,200 miles the headlights would occasionally decide to take a break. Again the dealership said all was well. Finally at 4,400 miles the SRS Airbag system failed. According to the dealership this means they will not deploy in a collision. The earliest time they would be able to repair it, but it would take two weeks. So it sits in the garage until then.

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  "Check Engine Light" 3 agonizing words - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By AC & SC - January 27 - 9:06 pm

  This Jetta has been in the repair shop 8 times in 12 months for recurrent electrical/computer problems.. either the service people were incompetent or this car is a real lemon. All of the VW service people I spoke to tacitly admitted that the Jetta has its share of problems. One even encouraged me to trade it in for a Honda. Also, this is one model that you are continuously jerked back and forth with the automatic upshifting and downshifting. Ill never buy a VW again.

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  Dont Buy a VW w/ 1.8T engine - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By paugusta - January 16 - 8:16 pm

  The Passat with a 1.8T engine is horrible! it has been in and out of the shop with many problems including the engine had to be replaced at 31,000 miles. VW North America would not stand by the product until a law suit was threatened. Bottom line... avoid the car. There is a reason why VW is rated next to last by JD Powers for customer satisfaction.

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  2004 convertible vw - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By cheryl gillespie - January 15 - 12:23 am

  Love the design of this car, but have had many problems. Interior beige leather seats impossible to clean. Stained within the first 2 weeks by a leather belt. Seat retractor broke 5 times. Airbag problems on three different ocacasions. Last one took 2 wks to fix. Car sits way too close to the ground. Damaged mine just going up a gravel driveway. Almost 7,000 for new transmission.

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  Towed to Dealership Twice - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By nickanna2 - January 14 - 8:21 pm

  I purchased the Jetta new in December of 2011. Had several issues within the first few weeks including seals on the driver and passenger doors. The whole dashboard had to be replaced due to a loud buzzing noise. After the first winter the windscreen washer hose line froze. At first the dealership said it wouldnt be covered under warranty :). Car stalled in the middle of the road at 40,000 fuel pump failure. Starter motor failed and both rear calipers at 70,000 in addition the whole back window had to be replaced due to defroster not working. The car comes off warranty next month and I am dreading it. Would never purchase a vw again. The TDI is powerful and fun but not worth the $$$

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  bugged - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By woodymc - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Way too many reliability problems, for a car with under 8k miles the following went wrong: Limit switch on brake that allows the AT transmission selector into gear fails easily! Car was towed for warranty service to dealer. Then they lost the car at the dealership. They found it after a heart to heart talk w/ the GM. ABS valve recall. Electric windows had a mind of their own. Rear hatch must be slammed shut before electric closure mechanism will "catch". Which of course broke from the slamming. Other than that, it really was a good commuter car. I cannot recommend this car to anyone who lives more than 15miles from a dealership.

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  My Last VW - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jersey Devil - December 30 - 2:23 am

  Ive owned many VWs since 1959, Beetles, Vans, Dasher Diesel, 3 Rabbit Diesels. All served me well. I bought the 2006 Jetta TDI assuming it would be the best, it was my first new VW. Metal skin paper thin, dents from slightest touch of anything hard. Flywheel broke at 30000 for no reason, VW said they had problems. Was replaced under warranty, but VW said I should have a new Clutch. I argued with Idiots at VW that if it was bad that the broken flywheel caused it. I talked to many persons in warranty and none had any mechanical knowledge. Clutch cost me $600. 2 Yr after warranty ended clutch failed again. Engine light intermittent from 2nd year, Excess Smoke since new. It is my last VW