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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  All the little stuff add up. - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Beth Cloud - June 30 - 2:00 am

  For a car that is only two years old I expected a lot more. For example, my engine fails every other time I drive it in the morning, I have a continual "cocaine" blinker, the window broke and wouldnt go up, the door clicker only works now on the drivers side, the trunk "blocker" persay just broke off, the clock resets itself everytime the car "stalls" but I have an automatic, the armrest broke off, need I go on? And the worst part of this whole thing is when I go to get all of these fixed, the Volkswagen dealership claims that nothing is wrong with the car. Theres a reason why the Volkswagen dealership garage is ALWAYS busy!

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  Not your old Beetle - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By James Adams - June 29 - 9:13 am

  This is my third new Beetle. In fact there are two in the family now. I love this car. It is so fun to drive! The quality of construction is second to none. It has excellent German technology and drives great. Dont be fooled by the size of the car. A 66" man can easily be comfortable inside. I love the way it performs. It is also very comfortable for those long trips. All those nice little touches and electronic gadets make it easy and fun to operate. It has a lot of convenience features. Like I said we have two in the family and wont hesitate to buy again. Two items that Volkswagen needs to add are: 1. A digital compass. 2. A coin holder. These are only minor inconveniences though.

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  Just Fun - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By DW - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Car is fun to drive, and safe feeling

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  Sweet 16 again - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Czar - June 26 - 7:26 am

  My wife purchased a 2008 SE convertible for use at our beach house. She loves this car to death. Fun, quick and easy to park. Can fit 4 when needed. Top down fun in the sun.

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  Its showing signs of age - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Joan Crawford - June 25 - 6:19 pm

  This was my first car, Ive had it for two years. I paid $9k, turns out the car is only worth about $2k. The car runs very well, very stable and smooth and is great on the highway and city, very good gas mileage, it lasts for a long time, the tank lasts maybe 300 miles and only costs $25 to fill up! It goes pretty fast to me and stops very fast too. It makes a good winter car too! Great defrosters and with new all season tires it has never gotten stuck in the snow! The heated seats get super hot too! The only time its had issues in the snow was when the tires were more than 4 years old. Right now though, its having some minor issues. It still starts right up and runs everyday, however right now the trunk will not rise open, the interior plastic on the doors are cracking, the glovebox handle and center console handle have broken off, the dash lights for the heat will not turn on, the front headlights are loose and theres a bunch of annoying electrical things like it sounds like the blinker is on but isnt, the car doesnt make any noise if you leave the keys in, the windows sometimes dont move automatically and theres this oil leak under the car no one can fix . I really take good care of this car, I am not rough on it, but I feel like now I have to drive my other cars because it Seems like more and more things are breaking on it, its minor things but still. It is a good car though, reliable, zippy and runs (which is the most important thing!). But if you check safety ratings, this is not the safest car and defiantly not a good first car due to blind spots and the safety ratings and also volkswagen isnt known for being a very good brand. But my specific car has been very good but I wouldnt recommend spending what I spent on this car or getting any other volkswagen car.

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  It looks good but... - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Reggie Heins - June 24 - 10:00 am

  I have only had my VW Beetle for three months. The whole right side lighting was out from the day I bought it and an officer pointed it out to me. Found out the fuses were falling out and broken. The window rolls up on auto but when it gets to the top it comes right back down. The tail lights have already burned out and had to be replaced after a full 5000 miles. And last but not least, the drivers seat apholstry seperated on the door side and the little platic hinge cover on the right side of the drivers seat broke off and fell in the floor. The dealership said I must have broke it because they have never seen one do that before, and refused to fix it.

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  Still Fun, but No Improvement - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JOE - June 20 - 1:03 pm

  The 07 Beetle still lacks the charisma of the old Beetle. So? We should expect more for the more money we pay. How about power seats (sit higher, too), locks, mirrors, a better stereo (MP4), free DVD navigation, cool electronics? Eliminate the pillar and rear blind spots. Give it a better trunk lock. How about the top receding into the boot with an automatic tonneau cover or an power hard top? Give it more power. The handling needs work. It has a firm ride, cut the sponginess. Hey, give it better gas mileage, please! Also, give us attractive mirrors.

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  I love this car - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Holly - June 17 - 1:13 pm

  This is the best car ever and even if I could have any car in the world I would still want this one!

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  Love My Beetle BUT....no clearance under - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rene - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased the beetle three days ago and am quite pleased. Actually the process was so smooth and easy however am disappointed in one feature that seems impossible to alter...clearance under the vehicle. Therefore I feel the dealership needs to make sure the potential buyer understands the cars limitations in this regard. See below....

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  Annoyed - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By frustrated - June 8 - 6:46 am

  I pulled my Salsa Red off the lot only 7 weeks ago. The darn thing is falling apart. I am completely frustrated as it has been in the shop twice now resulting in me being in a rental for a total of 6 of the 40 days I have owned it. The Air Bag light came on within the first week. Now my Audio Jack disappeared into the console when I tried to plug my MP3 player in with the cable I just bought. The trunk liner doesnt match up with the body of the car, and there is a knocking at the bottom when I make turns and they are saying it is my trunk contents. TRUNK IS EMPTY!! I havent turned 1500 miles yet and completely regret my purchase. I think it was assembled by a 2 year old.