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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  AWESOME!!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By KAPaquette - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MUCH FUN DRIVING! My Uni Red Bug with the Lifestyle Package leather interior is better than any other car Ive driven. The performance is of the highest quality and the Turbo engine "kicks butt." My soon-to-be 17-yr.-old son complained about the car at first, but once he drove it, he was hooked. Hell go absolutely anywhere with me as long as he gets to drive. The car is sporty, comfortable, fun, roomy, sassy, and theres a surprising amount of room in the trunk!

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  Fun, cant wait until the top comes down - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Diane Frank - November 13 - 11:06 am

  I feel safe and comfortable in this car. It is so much fun to drive. I get a lot of compliments, too. It is classy looking as well. I feel like I am driving an expensive well built car.

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  New Beetle "Fun to Drive" - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JPick - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Although not a Turbo..has enough power to get you where your going. Very comfortable and dependable. Overall quality...excellent. We owned several bugs..no comparison. New Beetle drives and handles like a big car. Wonderful Volkswagen reliability..need I say more.

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  Im in LOVE! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JordanHarris - November 9 - 11:33 pm

  I got my car a week ago tomorrow. I know what youre thinking...:Isnt that a little early to write a review?" well I cant control myself...I LOVE it! Its a blast to drive (especially with the top down), it is SSSSUPER cute, and it gets lots of stares, honks, waves, and compliments. The color is sexyyy (salsa red). I love the interior, its leatherette, but everyone thinks its real leather. The gas mileage is great! The trunk space is more than I had expected. And the key is cool. Well Im going to go drive some more!

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  I Love my BUG!! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By TXMoose - November 4 - 10:00 am

  The 04 bug conv. is very smooth and quiet. I do wish the conv. were available in the diesel model...I have a diesel bug and love it as well... The conv. trunk is still roomy considering it needs to share space with the top...

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  Mellow Yellow - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By rttinc - November 4 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is so fun to drive and gets lots of attention. Its a happy car and makes people smile. I especially like that you can lock everything so if you want to leave the top down to run in the store, you can have security. It is as fun a car with the top up as down.

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  Just love it. - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Cathy - October 21 - 2:20 am

  I just bought my 2006 VW convertible and I absolutely love it. Its so comfortable, the leather seats are soft and feel great. The stereo sounds wonderful and I love all the new safety features in this little package. I have wanted this car for years but never sat in one. I drove a minivan for the past seven years and just love the hight of the seating so I was concerned that this would cramp me in. Being a very short woman this was the most perfect car for me. I LOVE IT, more then I thought I would. Even the back seats are comfy to ride in. I know, I checked it out myself. I love driving with the top down and I have no problems working it. Sure the trunk is small, but its a small car.

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  Few comments - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By celeste - October 21 - 2:00 am

  This car has lots of pep and is easy to drive. Its interior design makes the most of a small car.

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  Probably the best in its class - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By newbie - October 19 - 7:40 am

  Needed more build quality. Overdrive with automatic transmition is annoying

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  Still a new classic - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By schumar - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Some people think that the popularity of the new beetle is waning and with the rise of the mini cooper, it will cease to exist. I hope theyre wrong.. the styling is wonderful inside and out, the safety features and ease of use are terrific, and it is stable and fun to drive.