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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  No Problems with This Beetle! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By BlueBug - September 23 - 2:16 am

  After reading about all the problems on the New Beetle Convertible, I had to review mine. After nearly 20,000 miles its been flawless except for a turn signal issue that the dealer addressed. Dealer told us to ALWAYS use the top cover or risk having the top torn away at highway speeds.

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  Roomy & fun! - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Deutschmobilers - September 22 - 10:00 am

  The wagon replaced an Audi A4, to better lug around 2 kids & their hockey gear. We gave up a scant amount of interior luxury, and an imperceptible amount of performance, for more room & lots of fun. The engine burned a bit of oil irregularly, for which we got the "measure it again" run-around, and the electrical system needed tweaking, but it was a minor nuisance overall. This car went to 65000 miles in 2.5 years, and we traded it in for the 2004 model.

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  Not very reliable - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Brenda TC - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I had many problems with my car, i.e. electrical problems as well as problems with the windows and the catalytic converter. It was very disappointing.

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  The Ultimate Car! - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By PhatVeeDub78 - September 22 - 7:30 am

  So far the cars been great. I was specifically looking for a black one with the 18 inch Hufeisen Wheels. It took a couple of days but a dealer found one and gave it to me for its invoice price ($24,000). I didnt get leather because leather stinks in the summer time. I love the performance and look of the car...and the xenon headlights are the Icing on the cake!

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  Pretty but Dumb - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Pretty but dumb car - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car on impulse during a sad time in my life. It cheered me up for about two months. Unfortunately it has had four engine repairs, a broken hatchback door, battery died three times, and the a/c had to be replaced twice. I also replaced the clutch, air filters, and multiple electrical components. Its a beautiful, fun drive vehicle, but its reliability stinks. I am trading it in for a Toyota Corolla. I forgot to mention how lame VW dealerships are.

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  Sporty but unreliable - 1997 Volkswagen Passat
  By So Cal Passat Driver - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Our Passat is like a race car; great high-performance fun to drive, but spends a lot of time in the mechanics pit. Since buying ours in 1997 problems we’ve had include: 7 power window repairs; 4 oil leak repairs (still leaks oil); peeling interior door handles (replaced twice, still peeling); side-mirror control failure (twice); heater core failure; alternator failure; air conditioning failure (still doesnt work—real fun in summer!); check engine light regularly comes on (VW dealer will then charge you to fix problem, then the light comes on again as youre driving away-- 6 times so far for us, and the light is on again).

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  Ive Changed My Mind - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By N1128Q - September 17 - 8:43 pm

  I originally posted a glowing review of this car but Ive changed my mind. Over the past 2k miles, Ive replaced the transmission shift valve, had the oil breather valve break (and went through a court of oil in less than 2k miles), and now have the MIL indicator on all of the time, for reasons unknown. The windshield seems to scratch if anything gets on it. Plus, the car has developed annoying squeaks and rattles. At the 10k service, Im going to have the dealer go over the car with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything is checked out. The dealer is fantastic but the car is not. Very disappointing as I really liked my 2004 Passat.

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  Great Choice - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By jwalt300 - September 17 - 12:16 am

  Ive had this car for just over one year, but have already put 41k miles on it. Had a very small problem early (round 3k miles), where the passenger seatbelt light came on. Dealer fixed it and Ive had no problems since. Im averaging 41mpg (up and down hills/mountains) commuting to work, and Ive gotten as high as 55mpg on "normal" trips. MPG under city conditions not as good (avg maybe 32-36), but still not bad. The more you stay on the highway, the better your mpg. Good leg and shoulder room for tall people (Im 63). Seats could be a little more comfortable, but maybe its because I sit there for longer periods.

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  Go Diesel - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By 02 White Diesel - September 16 - 10:10 am

  Purchased new. Average mileage has been 40, mix of highway & city driving. Have had problems with headlights burning out. Had to replace the horns. Have had to replace several brake light switches. Trans. wont shift if defective. So far engine & trans OK. Low fuel light is on all the time. $600.00 to repair. Ill live with it. Overall, I love the car. Good mileage, easy on tires and easy to do my own oil changes. Well see how long the engine/trans last. Diesel should go 250,000 miles easily. Im using Stanadine Fuel Additive.

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  There is no point in owning a gas VW - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By WriConsult - September 16 - 1:53 am

  Bought the Jetta Wagon because we had just bought a Golf TDI and were impressed with the great interior and driving experience. Whoops! In two years weve had $6000 in maintenance. 22c/mile, more than twice any other car I have owned. And thats with just 100k on the clock. Ive taken numerous Hondas and Subarus past 150k, and NONE of them has ever cost me more than 8-10cents/mi to maintain. Multiple cooling leaks, water pump (plastic impeller) failure (twice). Failed MAF sensor. Electrical, window and door latch problems. Last week a new ECU ($1000). Its not just the number of things, its the parts cost (which Consumer Reports doesnt report). Example: cup holder broke. The PART was $180!