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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  Great German Marvel - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jey - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Except for some reliability issues and improperly trained technicians at services, this is a great car. VW must ratify these issues before they become out of hand.

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  Way too many small & stupid problems - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
  By Vik - June 12 - 10:10 am

  I have had so many problems with this car in terms of rattles that its not even funny. In terms of engine, driving, fun factor, etc., its great, but when you have to turn your stereo on every single time you drive just so you can drown out the sounds of the rattles, that stinks. I really like the way this car looks, handles and drives, but I have had way too many little problems with this car, noises, quirks, weather strips coming off, to ever want to buy a VW again.

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  pricy/ fun/ some improvements - 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
  By besmooth - June 12 - 12:37 am

  upscale fit and finish fun to drive great acceleration transmission droning sounds test drive it for a while

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  VW Jetta, Great Car - 2001 Volkswagen Jetta
  By johns jetta vr6 - June 10 - 10:26 pm

  I picked up a 2001 VW Jetta GLI VR6 at a great price about two years ago. I have delivered pizzas in it. I dont take good care of it with all the stop and go driving I do with this car. The only thing that I have replaced is the tires. I drive about 150 hard miles a day and my Jetta still looks and runs new. It never misses a beat and I mostly do downtown city driving. My Jetta is a little silver tank.

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  V-Dub, baby! - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andrew W - June 10 - 8:26 am

  I purchased an 07 Jetta GLI Fahrenheit (6-spd manual) May of 07. I have been very impressed by how well-balanced this car is. It is a reliable, efficient, practical, and fun vehicle to drive and own. I have averaged 25mpg with a typical mix of highway and city driving. The interior build quality is far superior to any other auto in its class. Fun and exhilarating!

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  Concerned owner - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By SR - June 9 - 11:16 pm

  This is my first vw. I bought it because I thought I will keep the car for ever since I know diesel engines last forever. Also MPG is a huge plus. Shortly after I bought the car I started to see reports about HPFP failures and the way company is blaming them on contaminated fuel! These cars are in the market for only two years and they have less than 30- 40K mileage on them and they are failing! If US diesel fuel is so bad why VW introduced these new engine? Everybody is talking how clean these are but how good they would be if they fail after few thousand miles? The sad part is VW has not issues any answer why HPFP is failing. I bought this car to travel cross country and have fun not concern!

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  Great car so far - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By capitananchor - June 9 - 9:59 pm

  I think this car has been very reliable so far. Sure a few things have needed to be replaced but I think you can expect that. At 65K miles, my water pump went, unfortunately the impeller is made of plastic and I couldnt find anyone that made a non plastic impeller pump. I had the CV joints replaced around 70K mostly due to me taking curves like I was a nascar driver. My car is 7 years old and the battery, alternator, exhaust, are still original so Im really impressed...so I will not be shocked when any of those need replacing soon. At 76K miles, I had a coolant leak that was coming form the cooling hose flange...its a $20 part, if you have the time I would just replace that myself.

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  TDI Purchased for Gas Mileage - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jclaeys - June 6 - 6:31 am

  We sold our TDI Jetta with just 2K on it. We could longer deal with the poor execution of the diesel to Jetta experience. Having driven gas powered Mercedes, it was difficult to get used to the difference in the "lack of Luxury". First, it is a stretch to say this car is "clean". You will notice the stench of diesel not only at fillup but when you park it in your garage for the first couple weeks. And dont be surprised if you can smell it in your home also. The vibration at idle and rough start from stop will take getting used to, we didnt. Buy this if all you are looking for is excellent gas mileage, its there..avg. 33-46 mpg! Otherwise, choose wisely. Itll cost you in trade in.

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  Fun to drive, when its not in the shop. - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dr.Go - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving this car, like the style, but am frustrated with the many repairs needed in the first six months of ownership. Needed to replace an interior door panel (defective), the windshield (distortion), repair a vibration noise in the ceiling, and replace the gas tank (this took 4 attempts to fix!). Very poor quality control, resulting in 7 days in the shop in four months. Dealer has been very helpful, but still not the carefree ownership I had hoped for.

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  1999 Passat - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By rossdarrel - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Return to VW after 15 years of Honda & Toyota was a concern due to reliability woories. Passat has been a very solid, very reliable sedan. Pleasure to drive, Very quiet. 31 mpg overall on recent 1100 mile trip with lots of 80 mph stretches.