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 21 through 30 of 113.00-
Fun to drive, keep your walking shoes - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By George H. - October 28 - 6:20 amGreat 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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Just love it. - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Cathy - October 21 - 2:20 amI 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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Most fun to drive car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By L. Phillips - October 5 - 10:50 pmThis car has brought us more complimentary comments than any car we have ever owned before. It actually seems to smile at you when you are looking at it head on. The seats are very comfortable, wonderfully heated in the winter months, and are suitable for long drives with many hours of sitting. It is very easy to handle and takes to the highway like a pro. We are never nervous about driving it on the highway because it has a wonderfully fast pick up to it that is valuable if one should ever get into a "sticky" situation and makes us confident in our driving. We like the view from the windshield. I heartily recommend this beautiful little car for its reliability, fun and comfort.
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Style AND Substance - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Darin - September 22 - 6:43 pmAfter considering a number of convertibles including the Ford Mustang and Mini Cooper, I decided to go with the VW New Beetle. The Mini was just too small and the Mustangs interior had a cheap look to it that really turned me off. I hadnt considered the VW until riding in one last fall. I thought that is was too much a chick car. Well, I was amazed with the amount of headroom and legroom it had. The interior also seemed very well assembled with high quality materials. I also was intrigued by the new, more powerful 2.5 engine. Although I had read about VW reliability, it seemed the best choice for a convertible priced at less than $30,000. Five months into owning it, I have not had any problems.
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I Cant Hear You - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Doc - September 1 - 4:26 pmThe poor Beetle suffers. Its gas mileage has been less than I expected, lots. Wind noise? Try wind tunnel! What about the power top, eh? You have to manual twist your wrist off! Trunk? Forget it because the top gets in the way. Leg room in back, not if I drive. Take my car, please! Next time Ill get a Honda, Saab, or the Nissan Z.
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Not Happy - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By gecko06 - August 19 - 9:36 amI 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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Fun on the road! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By WinsletRose - July 8 - 1:26 pmWow! As a Ford driver for many years, I was really hesitant to purchase a VW. But my husbands encouragement and only one test drive, I fell in love with the 2006 VW Beetle. It handles like a true sports car, with very zippy driving (5 cyl. automatic) curve hugging turns, and overall just fun to drive. I thought that it would be very whimpy after only driving 6- & 8-cylinder vehicles, but I was wrong! Its a true sports car! The tiptronic transmission is awesome too, you can feel the car shifting, which is a trip if you are not used to driving stick shift. Its a true stick feel, but with all the ease of an automatic. We have two kids and the whole family is comfortable in this car as well. Overall this is a fun vehicle!
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Good points but - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By hilo2525 - June 20 - 1:00 pmCar 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.
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Never Again - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Cory - June 14 - 1:00 amThis lease has become the bane of my existence. The car has broken down five times in two years (and thats not counting the small problems when I could still drive it). Bad enough it keeps breaking, but VW does NOTHING to stand behind their product. The transmission leaked when I drove it off the lot. No loaner cars, no concern for my safety. They kept telling me that they valued me as a customer, but what they value is my money.
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What a great little car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Ms. Shawn - June 3 - 4:36 amThis car is fun to drive, gets great gas mileage, and is easy to park. People should take a closer look at this little shuttle, they would fall in love with them also.
