Overview & Reviews

The Volkswagen New Beetle was the cute car that started the retro-futurist design craze. It was a modernized version of the legendary VW Beetle and struck a chord with consumers who had grown tired of standard conservative car designs and had fond memories of the "Bugs" from their youth.

But that was 1998. As more than a decade passed without a major redesign, the New Beetle started to seem like a retro version of itself. With sales dropping steadily, VW decided to discontinue the New Beetle after the 2010 model year. A redesigned model, just called the Beetle, debuted a year later.

Shopping for a used New Beetle is pretty straightforward. It didn't change much, so you can shop mostly on price and mileage, though paying attention to engine availability through the years will likely be useful.

Most Recent Volkswagen New Beetle
The first-generation Volkswagen New Beetle was produced from 1998-2010. It was initially only offered as a two-door hatchback, and the convertible showed up for 2003.

Although the New Beetle was based on the Golf platform from the late 1990s, it had less interior space than today's Golf (and the '90s Golf for that matter) as well as most other compact hatchbacks. The front seats were roomy, but the same couldn't be said of the back. Trunk space was tight in the hatchback and even tighter in the convertible. The convertible came with a power-folding top as standard.

Models up to 2005 used the GL, GLS and GLX designations to reflect the various trim levels, as well as a standard 115-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual was standard on the Volkswagen New Beetle, with a four-speed automatic usually optional. A 100-hp 1.9-liter turbodiesel was also offered (the TDI trim) until the end of 2006, when it failed to meet new emissions regulations.

Until the last few years of its lengthy life, turbocharged gasoline engines were a big part of the New Beetle's trim lineup. Sold from 1999-2005, the New Beetle 1.8T was powered by a 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder, which put out 150 hp. From 2002-'04, VW included the Turbo S trim in the coupe lineup. It was equipped with a retuned 180-hp version of the 1.8T turbo engine and a six-speed manual transmission. For 2006 and thereafter, the only gasoline-powered engine available was a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that produced 150 hp and was coupled to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

As the years wore on, Volkswagen added a few features like satellite radio, but changes to the equipment level were light, as the car was pretty well-equipped with items such as air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and in later years, heated seats.

Volkswagen released several special-edition models, though, including limited-edition colors and trim packages. For 2002, VW added a Sport edition, which essentially was a 1.8T with a five-speed manual, 17-inch wheels and a leather interior.

In reviews, we found that the Volkswagen New Beetle excelled at what it was built for -- cruising and being seen in. It was a good choice for young singles or retired folks who only rarely needed a backseat, but other hatchbacks were far more practical. The original base engine was pokey and unrefined, so finding one of the turbocharged units would be a wise idea. The subsequent five-cylinder offered just as much power as the previous turbocharged engines and was more efficient, but wasn't as energetic and sapped some fun out of the Beetle. Those interested in the convertible should be aware that rearview visibility is poor with the top up or down.

User Reviews:

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  FUN car...but..... - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Irby - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Fun car to drive, has a lot of pep. but i will not be getting another Beetle. And after 2 years of ownership (we bought it brand new with hardly any miles on it) i am ready to give it up. mechanically it is sound...but for a 2 year old car lots of little things have gone wrong with it as soon as we drove it off the lot. The drivers side window we were told is a known problem with Beetles. Also al of the face plates on the interior are coming away and becoming loose. the rear hatch almost never releases on the 1st try...usually it takes 3-5 tries before it will release.

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  The little stuff gets you - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By HIRBY - July 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is relaible and fun to drive. i bought this car in 2000, drove it brand new off the lot...within a week had it back to the dealership...a month later had it back to the dealship...2 months later had it back to the dealership....4 months later.....you get the picture. I am bummed because I have had the car for 2.5 years now and for the past 6 months I have wanted to get rid of it and get a new car...but I am stuck in a 4 year lease so must drive it for another 1.5 years.

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  sweet - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Billy77 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  w h a t a s w e e t c a r . I l o v e i t. :)

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  Good clean Bug fun - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By T.Eichelberger - July 20 - 3:30 pm

  Great style with ample performance gives the Convertable Turbo Bug from Volkswagen a summer experience that is to be enjoyed. It seems that the rigidity of the frame in all convertibles suffer with the removal of the top, and this car is no different. Volkswagen has done an adequate job in reducing body shake vibration and bounce over rough roads without the "handbasket hoop" on other chop top models, but it would be nice if they could go the added yard to bring it up into the M.B. & BMW levels. I still feel that its style is still fresh from its most recient retro makeover and like the fit and finish of the interior and exterior. I find the car a pleasure to own.

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  Love My Turbo S - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bren - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is one of the best purchases I have ever made. The 6-speed manual and 180 hp make this so much fun to drive. I also get many looks and good comments about it. The cars "get up and go" is great. I love how this car is unique to all the other New Beetles. The two tone leather interior is awesome. Some may gripe about the back seat being too small. All I have to say is that this car is not a "family car", it is a car to have fun in! This car has made me nothing but happy since the day I bought it.

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  Better than the Last... - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Justin - July 14 - 12:43 am

  I used to own a 2001 Beertle. This one, a 2006 model, is much nicer all the way around. Plus it doesnt have the disappearing oil, where I would find myself a half a quart low after a couple of months.

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  New Bug - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By richard - July 13 - 10:06 pm

  A really fun vehicle to drive. Front seats are very comfortable with plenty of leg room-rear seats are not meant for adults.

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  Worst car i have ever owned! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By KM - July 13 - 3:30 pm

  This car has been nothing but a nightmare! I bought it brand new and within 5,000 i started having problems. First, my coolant system went out and it took the dealer almost 2 weeks to fix it. I have had issues with my power windows, and both have been replaced 2x. My car spend 75 days (in a row) at the dealership due to my top not going down and getting stuck. My car has a loss of power when going over 60 mph, and vw said they "couldnt replicate the problem" but it keeps happening. Now my headlights broke and my radio randomly turns off...i cant wait to get rid of this car! I will never buy a vw again, they wont fix anything right and the dealership doesnt even call me back anymore

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  Fun in the sun : ) - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By that 70s girl - July 11 - 6:56 pm

  Purchased this car from a dealer as a 2 year lease turn in. From the minute I saw it, I was in love. Its a real head turner. This is my 4th VW, bought a new 74 Beetle for college and 2 Rabbits after that. Pure fun to drive every where I go, people comment on what a cute car it is. have had check engine light issues but I have my BIL reset until it goes off again. I like the Turbo when it kicks in on the interstate. I can keep up with just about everyone. Minor things can be annoying but I dont care. I bought the car for fun and it delivers every time I drive it :))

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  A kick to drive, but... - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By CAClaire - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for fun, power & speed, & it delivers . However, there are drawbacks, some which arent a problem for me (small cupholders), & some that are, especially the lack of sun protection on the side windows. Sunbelt residents beware. A really big disappointment - I just got back from a long trip that revealed APPALLING road noise! Forget using your nifty monsoon sound system unless you crank it up full blast, forget using your cellphone, forget a conversation with your travelling companion at any level lower than shouting. Bad, bad, bad.