Overview & Reviews

The New Beetle gets a styling refresh for 2006. New front and rear bumpers, headlights and taillamps highlight the exterior changes. Inside, the cabin receives a new console, redesigned instrument cluster, revised sun visors and additional chrome trim. Under hood, last year's gasoline engine choices are dropped in favor of the 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine first seen in the redesigned Jetta. Stability control is now standard.

• Cute yet classic styling, long list of standard features, diesel engine option.

• Aged design, tight rear-seat accommodations, limited cargo room.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 113.00

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  2006 New Beetle Convertible, 2.5 pkg 2 - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Steve56 - October 19 - 5:30 pm

  My wife has always wanted the New Beetle convertible. So I did quite a bit of research online and read many reviews, pro and con. After many months of searching, we finally found the car my wife has been dreaming about. Weve only had the car for one week. Its a really fun car to drive, especially with the top down. It handles very well on the highway and gets pretty good gas mileage. There are a couple blind spots but thats normal for most convertibles. Its the heaviest car Ive ever owned. You feel like youre riding in a tank!! Overall, I would recommend this car for someone looking for a fun drive. Just watch out for all the stares youre going to get!!

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  Fun, but... - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By beachbum66 - September 6 - 3:26 pm

  Very fun car to drive, but consistent reliability and quality control issues throughout. This is also a very expensive car to get serviced and repaired. Ours stranded us (wouldnt start) several times due to a problem with the theft control system which was eventually fixed via a recall. Also had problems with the headlights , window motor and convertible top which resulted in repeated returns to the dealership and the car being off the road multiple days. Car is also exceedingly susceptible to dings. It is a fun car, but its reliability issues and extreme service costs really detract from the overall satisfaction with the vehicle.

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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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  Goodbuy and Good Riddance - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Daffodil - January 3 - 9:50 pm

  This is a darling car if you never have to actually go anywhere. Oh how I wish I had read these reviews before buying. It is cute; it gets good mileage. Mine had a sunroof, good stereo, heated leather seats, and a nice little growl in the engine. It was a commuting dream car but what is the point of all that cuteness and fun if it is in the shop all the time? I still sigh when I see them on the road, but I pat the dash of my trusty Toyota and keep going.

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  I wouldnt do VW again. - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By peppi1 - January 1 - 2:38 am

  I happen to like my little car a great deal. I never dreamt that I would have ever owned a New Beetle Convertible. I like the color, build, and style. I rated the interior poorly because any time a part is needed, which is not that often, I find myself having to dish out a heck of a lot of hard-earned bills. To replace a simple part, VW interior parts come with the whole entire assembly... I guess they hope that they will get all of your money. It does not make sense to have to replace the entire assembly just to need one small part. The parts are too expensive.If you touch the dashboard it bruises easily and my car leaks heavily when it rains when the windows are rolled up completely!

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  Worth my money - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By luvmybug - October 18 - 11:13 am

  I purchased this vehicle as a Certified VW. This vehicle has been excellent, well worth my money and time. Jump in and drive. Love the Sunroof, the power and the fuel economy. This automatic produces nearly 28 MPG highway and 24 MPG City. Handles well and gets out it own way. Highly recommended.....

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  My experience... - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By mystry - August 29 - 10:45 am

  This was my dream car, but its expensive. I bought the car new in 07 and have loved it, but it gets a lot of small quirks that add up. I am on my 3rd radio b/c the buttons wear down, a battery costs $195 b/c auto shops will not install it you must go to the dealer, the door panels eventully wear down, and indicator lights are always coming on. I spend more time at dealerships and more money on this car than any other car ive ever owned. Ive not had as much trouble as some of these reviews, but ive had enough that my dream car is getting traded.... I am tired of spending money on a car that is paid for with less than 100K miles on it. PS, expect to get about 330 miles to a tank.

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  Fun to drive, keep your walking shoes - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By George H. - October 28 - 6:20 am

  Great visibility and fast, fun ride. Be prepared with your cell phone--mine has quit running twice, needed tow, took about a week to repair each time. Trunk wont unlock 80% of the time with either the remote or inside release and one of the remote key fobs just quit working. This review is from the owner of a 2005 Mercedes SLK (so I know fun to drive) and a 2006 Honda Ridgeline (so I know high quality). Before its out of warranty Im going to get something else--another Beetle if the JD Powers and Consumers Reports ratings improve. This beetle replaced a 2001 model I bought used; that one never broke. In fairness, this is a very early build of the new model.

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  Not Happy - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gecko06 - August 19 - 9:36 am

  I have had one thing after another go wrong with my 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. The window was out of alignment, the emergency break over loose, the inside panel rattled, the trunk wont open with the auto-button on key. It rides good but all these little things make us wonder why we gave up the Honda Civic for a cooler looking (but not built) car. Weve had to visit the dealer almost five times to solve these problems. For the Honda we just visited for oil changes and maintenance.

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  Good points but - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By hilo2525 - June 20 - 1:00 pm

  Car is fun to drive. However, high cost to service and maintain from dealer. We are a multi-car household and there will no more VWs in our future.