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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  Poor service - 2002 Volkswagen Golf
  By Linsa - May 16 - 12:30 am

  The radio doesnt turn on six weeks after I get the car. The dealer promised to get me a new one; it has been another six weeks and now I am still waiting for the new radio to come in. My car only has three thousand miles and it wouldnt start twice last week.I had to call road assistance to jump start the car. Now the car is in the shop and the dealer is still trying to figure out whats going wrong. I am very dissapointed with the car and the dealter.

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  Breaks the mold - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Goodie Shoe - May 15 - 7:40 am

  Its a car that just doesnt fit into the usual molds. Its a roomy car with great gas mileage, thats sporty and fun to drive. After a month, its still a pleasure to drive. Looking forward to when the engine fully breaks in and, as others have reported, better gas mileage.

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  Call it a VW Lemon Instead - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ajm220 - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Ill like my Jetta but heres why Im selling it: Month 3: the rear brake lights blew out (look around at Jettas others are driving, youll notice the same in most). Month 4: O2 sensor blew out. Month 6: O2 sensor I replaced blew out. Month 10: engine wouldn’t start (something about some fuse?). Month 16: left back brake worn out, grinded the rotator Month 23: front right signal and left front head lamp blew out at the same time -- Folks, the repairmen gave me the parts that blew out and they were BURNED TO A CRISP Month 24: I’m selling the car

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  my VW (Wolfburg) - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Expanderman - May 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my third VW I have owned. These cars are well built and fun to drive. They dont use cheap material to build any components of these cars. I am currently driving the 1.8T engine manual transmission. I recomend it!.

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  Best Little Mouse that roared... - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By nicastepper - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Ok, first my bias. I have loved these things ever since Herbie hit the screen well, way back when... That said, when I purchased this car, I was looking for two things: a car that would handle well and have some power without too much cost in mileage estimates and a car that would be extremely comfortable for someone that has a hard time finding that in any car. The Beetle met both of my requirements and continues to do so after 5000 miles of 100 mile per day driving. I have seen several stories of people having quality problems with this vehicle but I have yet to see that in mine.

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  I hope you are a mechanic - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By DJW - May 14 - 10:16 am

  V-6, 5 speed. Gets great gas mileage - 26 in town, and 33 hwy. Leather interior still looks new. However, when things go south, they go quickly. Keep an eye on CV boots over 60k. At 70k, the whole top of the engine started leaking, and after 2 re-dos of the valve cover seals, they still leak. Shocks shot at 30k. Headlights go every 10K until I disabled the DRLs. Electronics in drivers door shot. Coating on interior peels. Sunroof is possessed. But - I wont sell it because the new Passat looks Japanese, nothing this good looking gets mileage like this, I still get comments on how unique and cool it is, so overall - if you are a mechanic - you cant go wrong!

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  Perfection - 2010 Volkswagen GTI
  By ted - May 13 - 11:50 pm

  Superb car - great price for the total package - mine is a metallic black 4- door, DSG, roof, interlagos cloth, bluetooth. Drove it and bought it! The Mark V was an excellent car, but VW have really done the impossible and made this Mark VI a fantastic car. Performance is excellent, strong acceleration, with superior handling and chassis feedback. So far, mpg is 25 and I am sure this will improve. Interior is wonderfully crafted with impressive fit and finish and high quality materials - gives the feel of a much more expensive car. Overall, a superb package that will make you smile everytime you drive it! Some cars like the Mazda 3 Speed and WRX are quicker, but none offer the sophistication!

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  Surprising little car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By powerdriver82 - May 13 - 11:15 pm

  Recently purchased this car used for my girlfriend, not exactly my style though i am a devoted fan of german engineering. As much as the exterior designing has just never appealed to me, this car continuously surprises me. The 5-cyl engine is peppy when you need it to be, yet quite fuel efficient when just cruising along. I find im regularly able to keep up with my friends Jetta 1.8T which most people just wouldnt expect. Excellent 8 spkr stereo, convenient mp3 input jack, power convertible top moves quickly and easily, heat warms up quickly, a/c cools down equally as fast, amazingly smooth drive, nimble handling. Really the only complaint i have is the body styling. Just not my bag there

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  Never Again - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disgruntled Sucker - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Bought new and had vehicle for over 2 years. Will never buy a VW - new or used - again. Poor, condescending dealer service; ignition coils failed one at a time - dealer replaced them one at a time (prior to VWs recalling all 02s); transmission failed & had to be replaced; impossible to smootly accelerate from stop due to poorly engineered transmission. Extremely unreliable car; the worst Ive owned since 1966.

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  Volkswagen Service is HORRIBLE! - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Siv - May 13 - 10:00 am

  This was my 1st brand new car and VW has ruined it for me. Although the Jetta appears to be a great car, the service is horrible. Ive had a lot of problems with this car. Most recent is my car stalls out of nowhere. Im driving & all of a sudden it comes to a complete stop & my engine light & EPC light come on. Ive taken it to VW 4 times & they cannot figure it out. The worst part is that they are very rude & nasty about it. I have been to 3 different dealershipS in the NY area & have had NO LUCK. Do not go to New Country VW in Greenwich CT, Mayer VW in Larchmont NY or CityLine VW in Bronx NY.