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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  Used to love it - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Angry@VW - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought my passat a year and a half ago and since have had to buy three sets of tires, a new airconditioner, a new power mirror motor, the computer says there is an emmision problem when none exists(making it impossible to pass the car in inspection), and now at only 70000 miles the head has cracked forcing oil into the radiator(without overheating). This doesnt seem normal on a car that has been regularly maintained and garage kept. A friend of mine has a 98 passat and has had over $6500 in repairs in the last year. I would expect much more from a car so close to the Audi A4. Dont buy a Passat unless you want to drive a rental every couple months.

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  dontgetajetta - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By twu - August 6 - 10:00 am

  The car was great the first 2 years, but once the warranty ended so did the customer service. The past 4 months Ive had the air flow sensor, battery, oil pan, and catalytic converter replaced. Still waiting for the cat. after 1.5 months. The driver side window has fallen into the door.

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  questionable reliability - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jafrizz - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is sporty, looks pretty, nice pick up but has not been the most reliable, I would not reccomend this vehicle to others right now, it has broken down and left me stranded, broke down and left me stranded for a second time alone - it has recall after recall and I pay alot to lease it and cannot wait to give it back - I cannot reley on the vehicle, I wish I can give it back now but VW will not let me - I worry when I get in it everyday!

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  Major Disappointment-horrible in snow - 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By gailspike - August 3 - 4:32 pm

  My experience has been a disappointment. From the first month I have had miscellaneous electrical issues. Had the electronic parking brake stick numerous times, it took a couple visits to dealership to replace sensor. Another sensor is when closing the trunk the entire locking system freezing up- said it is a safety feature, nothing wrong with car??? Now gas gage issue...dual fuel sending units. Being a female I get the runaround unfortunately I have to bring my husband to get results. Plus I research VW Vortex with all the other disappointed owners. I had Toyotas for 30 years and NEVER had to bring them back for anything but general maintenance. I cant afford to trade it & buy ano

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  Disappointed - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed - July 31 - 3:13 pm

  Terrible experience. First VW in my family and never again. Under warranty: the window motor in the passenger door breaks within a day after repair (5x "repaired"), the A/C went out after only a year and while I was finishing up the work week (in the summer, of course) and driving with the windows down/ sunroof open, the sunroof decided not to close. Lock/Unlock buttons peeling. Window shade lights (next to mirror) went out within months. Right after the warranty ran out, the entire control board and steering column went out (car wouldnt start): over $1000. Cruise control broke. And now the engine has blown: $7500 plus tax/fees to repair. Too expensive to repair!!

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  Stand Out In The Crowd! - 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan
  By Rudy28801 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  The most roomy and best looking of all vans Ive seen.. Great to take out one of the middle seats and its almost like a living room! We have 2 small kids and this is the best ( cargo and comfort) for a road trip/vacation. Have yet to have any problems to speak of.. A/C went out but dealer replaced it promptly (covered on warr.) Ride is nice but lots of noise from outside. Id buy another in the future...

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  Buy it if you have own gas-station - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Umi - July 26 - 3:30 am

  We got VW Passat 02 wagon on 06.2007 in CarMax with 51K miles on it. For the 7 month after we bought it, we spent $1500 for repairs. I got 16.5 mpg per city and 22 mpg on highway. It is the worst car: No Fuel Economy, High cost of maintenance. Bad Electric, brakes, and engine part. I did not expect the bad quality from German car producer, but I experienced it with my Passat. Service cost is too high. After 3 month the problems started with window power and electric cables&wires. Nobody could explain why station wagon "eats" gasoline as a Chevy Suburban. It is unbelievable, but I got 16 miles per gallon in city. I will never buy any VW product and would not recommend to someone else. Just bad

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  OOPS - 1997 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Tur77tle - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Loved the jetta at first. Bought at a steal with 43,000 mi. At about 80,000 had TONS of problems. Brakes always squeak (replaced twice), electrical problems with AC, Engine lights on, brake system lights always on,and O2 sensors replced. Actually failed emissions this year (Car had to reach 600 degrees before sensors turned on). Transmission problems shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. And finally, the car wouldnt shift into 5th gear reliabily at all. Oh yeah, the driver side lock just fell right out!!This is odd because have very good service records. Thank god I had a great mechanic!

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  First year bugs - 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
  By Lars050 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  The car is great looking - inside and out, fun to drive, luxurious, and I got it for a fair price. Sales and service at dealership were great. Didnt really need the V8 but wanted some of the options that werent available on the V6. For a mid-size SUV, handles really great, much better than my mid-size Lincoln LS.

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  expected more - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By zac sr. - July 24 - 10:00 am

  I anticipated higher quality and far fewer problems, mechanical and functional (i.e. stuff breaking),than experienced with this car. Yesterday the cup holder disintegrated, something Americans cannot do without. I just made the last payment so soon it will probably go to one of the kids.