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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  Love my TDI - 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
  By doczachary - September 26 - 2:00 pm

  Purchased my 2009 TDI when I got tired of the gas mileage of my big truck. Put everything on it execpt for the Navigation system, fearing, and sun roof. I currently have 63K on my Jetta and really have had no issues to complain about. I get combo mileage of 35mpg and freeway of about 45 - 48 mpg with the AC on. The heated (fake) leather seats are great in the winter and really help the lower back on a long trip. The AC is good but not great. It could be colder. The AM/FM/CD/Sat stereo is great and works well. More speakers than you can find or count. Kids would probably complain since you probably cant turn it up as loud as they listen to it these days. Great finish and looks good

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  Unhappy - 2005 Volkswagen Golf
  By Nick - September 25 - 5:03 am

  Too many trips to the dealership for warranty issues has me wishing I kept my 85 Jetta diesel. The last one was for front suspension noises, dash rattles, and a timing belt job. They have to order bushings for the front and a transmission valve body solenoid for another noise it was making. I made it a mile away from the dealer when the turbo went out. This is my third diesel VW and the best one was the 81 rabbit. In the last 4 months, Ive had the golf at the dealer 7 times. The sunroof was 4 trips, the fuel pump was three... it goes on and on. Each time there were other smaller issues. My average fuel mileage is only around 36-38 mpg. My best was 45.6 on a trip.

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  Love it - 2010 Volkswagen EOS
  By Hammock246 - September 24 - 4:36 pm

  Just returned from a trip to my homeland, Chicago, from Daytona Beach, I was truly surprised what a great road car this EOS is. Bought it for a second car and love that aspec too but highway manners and excellent fuel mileage along with not a squeak with 12 thousand miles on it is great. Got 33.7 mpg for just over 3 thousand miles of mixed but mostly highway driving. Nothing like the top down through the Smokey Mts. early morning. Other than appearance, a much better car in every way from the 04 Thunderbird I traded on it.

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  Fun to drive, but a few problems - 2002 Volkswagen GTI
  By wiggum21 - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I fully enjoy my GTI when it doesnt have its problems. All of the recall problems have occured.... window regs and ignition coils. I also had a faulty battery as well and currently dealing with a possible bearing probelm. I know cars have their problems, but when you pay the $$ you do not expect to have so many in under a years time. Overall, the car is a blast, but I do not feel it has been very reliable to date. Hopefully the problems disappear and I can continue to blast around.

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  Former devout VW owner - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By darinmint - September 24 - 10:00 am

  New in Jul ‘00:emissions light on way home from dealer, they kept it for first week for defective fuel line. Year 1 & 2: rear window problems, goo oozing out from doors(3x), temp sensor failures (2x), ECM problem, cup holder(4x?). End of year 3, things have settled down, I hope. Bought it because it drove better than all in price range. But they no longer corner the market on fun-to-drive cars. Sorry VW, but you had a good thing going when you restored your image in the 90s and you blew it. I wonder about the Toureg. Built in Mexico, new model, hmm. Sorry, VW, no more time for your nonsense - buh-bye.

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  Watch Out! - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By posjetta - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Within the first month, the first window track broke, the EPA emissions light came on, and the trunk latch stopped working. Within the next year, an engine coil had to be replaced along with a clutch, two wheel wells, and 6 more window tracks. Be careful if you decide to own a 2000 Jetta because if you park too closely to the cement parking blocks, you’re bound to lose the front paneling. I’m going on my second year of new-car ownership, and I cannot open the driver-side door from the inside and have to turn of the radio manually upon exiting my vechile. If I don’t the radio will continue to play even though everyone has gotten out of the car.

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  So far so good - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By chinds - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Mine now has 47,500 miles on it. So far mine has been as reliable as you could hope for out of a car that only cost about $21k. My back rotors had to be replaced (right after my warranty was up). Chip it! What a difference it makes. There are not many cars that can hang with a chipped 1.8t between 0- 80 mph. Mine has not had any problems with the coils, windows, etc. "knock- knock-knock". Oh, yeah, the trim seems to be peeling off (the coating on the trim). Thats about the only thing about this car that oozes with cheapness.

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  Fun Yet Pragmatic - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jabberwocky - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Handles extremely well. Its not a sports car, but youre never lacking for power. Great gas mileage makes this a terrific commuter car for me. Even though its a diesel, it isnt noisy. It has extra headroom (important for tall guys like me). Extras, such as the alloy wheels, carbon trim, side airbags, rear disk brakes, electic windows/locks are all standard features. Hey, it really is fun to drive!

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  Good Value, Stylish Ride - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By JJS - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Put 1,000 miles on the car in the first 2 months. Ride and style are great, no issues with reliability to date. The car is everything that I expected. I think that a few of the poor reviews out there might be accurate for those few that had real problems with their dealer, but most are from buyers that did zero research and thought that they were buying a Benz in VW skin for 30k. This the car is not, and many reviewers seem to take this mistake out on their review instead of themselves. This is however a great VW. If you know and like VW, and need an AWD wagon, you will be very happy with the Passat.

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  Ok - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Larry Allen - September 23 - 1:00 am