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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  I still love mine! 2002 Turbo S - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Woodenbee - July 7 - 1:33 am

  I bought my silver Turbo S used in 2005, and I still love walking up to it every day, its a gorgeous little car. This car is six years old and has its share of dents but still looks awesome, previous owner managed to make sunroof leak (fixed myself with amazing Haynes manual) and misalign drivers door? The doors on these things are really solid so how they did that I dont know? listening to the turbo whistle rocks and the six speed is cool, I have taillight issues on the left, but other than that she goes great. Anyway Ive really come to think that VW did reinvent their peoples car, used or new these are cheap and practical cars that anyone smart enough to want one can afford.

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  150,000+ miles and still going! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By natea - July 6 - 9:42 pm

  Overall, this has been an excellent vehicle. To me the most impressive aspect of the car is how it drives so well in snow & rain. I did have a few issues with the front end suspension around the 135,000 mile mark, but they have not come back since. Fuel economy has been as advertised averaging around 23 highway & 17 city. The exterior fit & finish is relatively decent, and the interior is so well built, it still looks almost like new. Ive never driven anything but VWs. (I also have an 04 Passat Sedan). Keep in mind, VW is not like Honda/Toyota, VWs require a little more work, but will easily surpass the 500,000 mile mark. As long as you take care of a VW, it will take care of you.

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  Poor Craftsmanship - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Bobert - July 6 - 7:36 pm

  My car was made in Mexico (NOT Germany), and the quality shows. Within the first couple months a wire disconnected which made the car unable to get out of the P (automatic model). It took a week to order the dash which they had to smash to get to the wire (all costs covered under warranty). The check engine light came on right after the warranty expired and it cost $100 to turn off. The cupholders have broken and tail lights and headlights have gone out ($120ish). Also, the oil pan needed replacement at a cost of $500 and now the airbag light has come on.

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  The Versatile Vehicle - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By TS - July 6 - 2:56 am

  This is the first time I have bought a VW. I like the driving and handling of the new Passat 2.0T. The interior of the new Passat is laid out well and with the red/blue backlights the interior looks so nice at night. I am very happy with the gas mileage. With 200 hp, I average 24-27 mpg in mix driving (mostly city). The trip computer is awesome. If youre out for shopping for a compact to midsize SUV, you should look at the new Passat Wagon. It has a smooth drive, looks nice, has ample luggage space, and will save you money on gas.

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  not bad - 2003 Volkswagen GTI
  By william h - July 6 - 2:00 am

  i have a 02 gti 1.8t.fun to drive,love to use the tip tranny.i know but wife doesnt drive stick! i test drove the rsx, no thanks!i have had problems with the coils. 6000 miles 1st coils went. vw will not replace all coils the 1st time it happens! u have to wait until it happens again! great! lucky i have a great dealership,they replaced both coils in 45 min.car rattles to much!

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  Love the body, HATE its guts! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kmad - July 6 - 2:00 am

  It is constantly running out of oil. Just had to put in 2 quarts yesterday. The door locks work only when they want to and the AC doesnt seem to be a cold as it should. Trying to work with the service departments can make a person go bald. (from pulling your hair out). They actually told me that my car was using up oil because oil in the US is different from oil in Germany so I need to check it often and add oil as needed. They estimated 1 quart every 800 miles. If this were true Im sure VW would be importing SPECIAL German oil for VW owners, put an outragous price on it per quart and make a huge profit on it. My car only has 40k miles on it!!!

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  The Diesel Dreamcar - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Carol B - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This car has been awesome. What other German car can you get 50mpg in under $20k? NONE. Its easy to drive, park, and speed in (likes to go 80-90, sometimes 100 and dont notice it). Very reliable, only in shop for oil changes.

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  I love this car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Deepclue - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is a rocket, it looks and feels solid, finishing is superb. I would buy it again, no question about it. My only complaint is a tendency to rattle: doors in warm weather, some console pieces in cold weather.

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  Great little sport sedan. - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jacko - July 6 - 2:00 am

  1.8T is an exciting engine thats also easy to live with and rewarding during normal driving. Engine and ride are smooth and quiet. Sport suspension and 17" alloys betray some road noise and stiffness on bumps, but handling is precise, though a bit marred by overboosted power steering. Clutch is somewhat too soft for sport riding; clutch throw is also too long. I would give the car a 10, if I havent driven a BMW 325i. 8-9 will do just fine.

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  03 jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By troy - July 5 - 11:16 pm

  Purchased as used in 08 with 65000 miles, now has 95000. Love the drive and especially the handling. The problem is a harsh shift from third to forth ( auto trans) and have spent $1500 on a valve body R & R with no help. No codes in computer and not sure what to do now. For those who do their own maintenance, VW uses there own fluids and you cannot go to the local auto parts store and buy oil trans fluid etc, and they tend to be spendy at the dealer. The 100000 mile timing belt R & R is $+-$1000 at the dealer. Frustrated vw owner.