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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  This car is Terrible - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By None - June 27 - 2:00 am

  If you want an electrical Nightmare buy this car. It is a total piece of crap. I will never buy a foreign car again. I have never driven this car 60 days in a row. Dont waste your money.

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  Constantly breaks down - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By chvie06 - June 26 - 7:54 am

  After owning this car for about 2 years, it started giving me problems. I spent over 2,000 dollars within 2 months on repairs before finally getting rid of it. I had to get 2 new batteries (the first one only lasted a year), new alternator, new valves and hoses, turbo cut off valve, battery fuse panel, alternator harness, ball joints, shocks, and new brakes and tires (brakes and tires were understandable, though). Right before I got rid of it, it wouldnt accelerate and wouldnt exceed 5 mph. The sealed system was also frustrating because you couldnt do simple tasks like refill the brake fluid by yourself. You have to take it in to a VW shop and pay for everything.

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  Lemon Car - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By g_simpson - June 25 - 4:03 am

  At 12,000 miles, the high pressure fuel pump blew up, destroying the whole fuel system. ($7500) That was bad enough for a one year old car, but then it did it again at 23,000 miles. Search the internet for articles about this problem, but VW has covered it up well. The dealer said they fix about 2 per week. The car suddenly lost power going 70 mph on I-5, then died. Just barely made it to the shoulder. Very scary. I hoped the new fuel pump they installed would be a better design, but obviously it was not, since the car blew up again 6 months later- same thing- high pressure fuel pump. We sold the car, and lost $10K. My friends Jetta did the same thing. Big rip off by VW.

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  forgot the passengers - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By comfort? - June 21 - 2:00 am

  This is the most uncomfortable drivers seat I ever sat in. 1 hour driving and my legs are sore. The seat is too narrow and the side humps are too high. Half my leg is on the flat part of the seat and the other half is on the hump. Very uncomforatble. Also, when turning the side of the seat collapses. The seat does not keep the hips motionless in a turn. The range of tilt and telescopic wheel is poor. The gas and brake pedals are too far into the passenger compartment so when I move the seat back to make room for my legs I have to stretch to reach the steering wheel.

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  Touareg V6 - 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Luigi - June 20 - 4:56 am

  I have enjoyed the handling and comfortable feel of this truck, especially on bumpy roads. It is firm and solidly built. The driveshaft gave up at 17,056 miles of smooth highway driving though.

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  Very disappointed - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Elise - June 19 - 8:33 pm

  My 2005 Jetta has 87000 miles, is serviced regularly, but now I have to get a new car. The timing chain, gears, spark plugs, and coil pack supposedly all went out last week and to fix it would be $3700 according to the dealership. While I have loved the design and the drive, it just isnt worth it. The worst part is they only offered me $1500 for a trade in. Why would I want another VW if that is all they think it is worth? Ill be getting a Toyota this weekend.

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  Run away now. Dont buy - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By joe smith jones - June 16 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is complete garbage. The vehicle seems to be in the shop more then out. If it wasnt that my wife loves the style,it would be gone. I wildest dream is that I wake up one morning it it was stolen from my driveway. No such luck.. Even thieves dont it. I have had problems with the diesiel engine, more times then I can image, replaced AC, power windows at least two times on each side, along with numerous other patrs. brakes lasted 20000 miles. Service has been horrible at best. Want to make lots of money, open a trustworthy VW shop in Baltimore. The best I could do for this vehilce is schedule it for a crusher at a local junk yard.

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  Same issues EVERYONE has... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed - June 12 - 5:16 pm

  Bought "certified used" ran great for the extended warranty period. Heater stopped working 1yr after purchase, brought it to the dealer only to be told it was working fine, charged $200 for the "labor". Heater still blew cool air but I couldnt pay more money so I just made do. 3 yrs later, check oil pressure warnings consistently 1k-2k miles before the suggested oil service. I put so much oil into this piece I have to keep 5qt jugs in the trunk, NO LEAKS! Where is it going?! All 4 ignition coils burnt out! Never got recall notices but after calling THEM was told I qualify. Thermostat stuck open, clogged heater core. Headlamps constantly burn out, replaced all of them nearly twice a year!

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  What a Piece of Junk - 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio
  By Bill - June 12 - 1:40 am

  My girlfriend owns this car and I cant tell you how many headaches it has given me. I will never buy another Volkswagen ever again. It has had problems with the window regulators, engine, exhaust system, and brakes. Im too upset to write anymore because Im going to be plunking down hundreds of dollars next week for the window regulators. I know so many people with Volkswagen horror stories.

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  The gooad and the bad - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By maninva - June 9 - 2:30 pm

  Like other reviewers I had a bit of buyers remorse upon driving this car home from the dealer. No auto headlamps, compass, auto dimming review mirror or back up cam left me a little disappointed. The car grew on me once I got used to it. It is fun to drive and I enjoy getting 50mpg on the highway. At 8k the paint on the front bumper started to chip off very easily. After three different attempts to have VW repaint the bumper they refused to do so. This was my first VW and will be my last. I will not buy cars from a manufacturer that doesnt stand behind its product.