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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  Biglemon - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Cincygirl - December 30 - 2:00 am

  My car is a 1999 model. Since the warranty went off (24,000), I have replaced the fuel gauge and float, radiator valve, several sensors, catalitic converter, etc. etc. I have spent over $1500 in one year on service. Never again.

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  2011, Asian in teutonic wolf garb! - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By pzeiger - December 29 - 9:11 pm

  I am the proud owner of a 2009 TDI sedan. Am still in love with it after 3 years. Its a great car in every respect; refined, luxurious, fast, stable, gas miser. Went to test drive 2011 TDI. Have to say, changes for the worse. My car handles the same at 50 or 100. Had this car up to 80, felt dangerous, like the rear end was going to fly off. The 09 just gets low on the road when pressed and says give me more! I can handle it! The doors are half the thickness as 09/10 and sound like tin can upon closing. Interior is not as refined, but still better than Asian. Hoping that by the time Im ready for new TDI, VW will have returned what their loyal customer base expects.

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  Pretty on the outside, ugly on the inside - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By eder_cheddar - December 27 - 2:05 pm

  I got my car used with 62k miles on it. As soon as I got it, the car kept breaking down on me time after time. Maybe I got a lemon, who knows. I had a tiny piece of plastic connecting my inter coolant break on me that crippled my car and was a $3 piece of plastic I got at OReillys. Its terrible that you dont have the transmission oil easily accessible. You have to take it to a mechanic to get lifted so they can access it. My favorite/current issue is the transmission that crapped out on me 3 times. I currently have had the car for 72K miles and its ridiculous to have this occur so soon.

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  The "Not-Worth-It" Mobile - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lily - December 27 - 12:00 am

  I bought this car because my best pal (Nissan 240sx) was totalled in a wreck that was not my fault. I needed a car before work on Monday, but didnt do as much research as I could have. I loved the styling on the Jetta and wanted a 4 door sedan, but I didnt know what I was in for. Immediately I had to go back to the dealer for an engine coolant system fix (which they couldnt do, they had to send to the VW dealer). Then other parts started breaking - glove compartment, center console, other misc. plastic interior parts, passengers door jamb, windshield wiper fluid thingy, etc. Now I have a fuel pressure problem and a broken AC that I have already fixed once - dont buy this car!

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  Very Inaccurate MPG estimates - 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
  By LPalace0 - December 23 - 10:27 am

  We had the car for 7 days and it has been filled up twice already with gas. Once from the dealership and second time 4 days later. This is my first VW so Im still getting used to the driving experience. I previously owned an Acura MDX, BMW X3, and Porsche Cayenne as far as SUVs and the Atlas seems to have the smallest gas tank at 18 gallons. BUT for some reason a fillup is at 14.7 gallons filling from empty with 25 miles worth of fuel left. The Eco drive mode helps but the MPG estimates are off. Based off the info from the Atlass digital cockpit and vehicle status, Im averaging 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg highway on Normal mode and 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway on Eco. The second fillup, I used premium gas and there wasnt any noticeable differences. I give it 3 Stars for performance and reliability because advertise fuel estimates are not accurate and when I called Kearny Mesa VW service department, they said some bs about the computer is still learning your driving habits. On the plus side, regular gas in a premium vehicle is always nice to the wallet. If you’re having this issue, any suggestions going beyond the dealerships?

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  I HAD to have it!! Now so SORRY!!! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Unlucky - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Problems that required replacement include headlight harnesses, door locks, window switches, air conditioning compressor and four batteries in less than five years (one exploded when I started the engine). The inside finish is peeling off, the radio is mostly static unless right in the city, the cupholders are pathetic and the VW emblems on the wheels have fallen off. I use only dealerships for my routine maintenence/service and they claim that my problems are unique. Each time I get ready to sell the car I have another $1000.00 repair bill and feel I must drive it a bit longer to justify paying the bill!!

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  Looks Good in the Shop - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By balewis - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car one year and already had to replace the starter. The A/C would not turn off. One recall repair. And several rattles in the dash. The VW charm is quickly wearing off. The VW Service is a nightmare.

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  ITs a CRAP SHOOT - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By 805misskitty - December 12 - 9:13 pm

  this vehicle ran great first 80k miles. But the window fell out & a bunch of interior things broke while still considered a newer car. I read all the reviews on car. I got the car from friend knowing she was about to run into trouble with it. It was in good to fair condition. I bought it with another friend at a good price knowing we would be dumping a lot of $$$$ into it over the next few years who I knew could tackle the problems ahead. What I wasnt prepared for was everything happening at once AND PROBLEMS WITH the rack and pinion. I hope I spelled that right. If you are looking to buy a Passat 2000-2004 do a Vin history on it. If youre looking for a smart buy, this aint it!

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  Nothing but problems - 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brent - December 7 - 5:33 am

  Ever since i have owned this car, i have had to keep putting money into it. New spark plugs, new transmission, window mount broke twice, faulty wiring, engine mount broke, emergency break light stays on some times; it is by far the worst car that i have ever owned. I will NEVER own another volkswagen again.

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  Beautiful lemon - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bankerella - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Talk about your love/hate relationships. Ive never had so much fun driving something so economical. However, the overwhelming amount of problems with my car is forcing me to sell it at 3 years/37,000 miles. My turbo has blown, and that is the last straw.