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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  GR8 Bug Convertible - 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Robert Preston - November 11 - 7:56 pm

  I hesitated to buy a new beetle for a two reasons - first because it was not Germany made. Then I learned that Hondas are from Ohio, so that was silly. Second, what would the resale value be (now who cares, I love it). I have the Harvest Moon Beige with a Beige Top and Tan interior, in my opinion the most sophisticated looking. One issue I have is keeping it showroom perfect. The first big wind in a parking lot allowed the door to hit a car parked next to it, not unusually hard, but enough to ding my door (the other car had no damage). This made me feel the metal/paint finish was inferior to other cars I have owned. I may get a daily driver and try to keep it for weekend fun!

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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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  Not for Cold Weather!!! - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By The Husband - November 3 - 5:50 pm

  The car is beautiful and performs well in the warm weather. It is much better on fuel than my Jeep Wrangler. It really makes my wife happy and I like that. The problem is that the windows have to open (when the handle is pulled) to open the door. If it gets below 20 degrees, the windows wont open. That means that you cant get in, and if you finally do, you cant close the door or the glass will break. Because of the security VW voids the warranty if you install an aftermarket remote starter and they do not offer one.

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  woo hoo! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gogoguerilla - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I think the bug is the ULTIMATE road trip car in that its just a blast to drive... it has its quirks, but so do all cars.. and I prefer to see these "quirks" as "character"... Its a great car for med-long commutes as well as sporting arond town.. as aforementioned, its also done a few long hauls with me with no major problems. its a car that you instantly make a part of the family... i would recommend it to anyone whos not in dire need of tons of trunk space, but loves an airy, roomy, comfy, super fun car... id definitely also consider doing some upgrades, too (i.e. performance chip, exhaus improvement, etc.)

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  Poor quality - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By tracy - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my bug unfortunatly since the warranty has expired: I having a variety of problems. The electric window on the passenger side failled. The onboard computer is now having problems again after having been replaced under warranty. The cost for changing of a headlight was $500.00 ( an internal problem ) One of the headlight burned out again 3 months after replacement the other one after 6 months. The molding on the back window is falling off. Volkswagen has spent massive amounts of money on advertisements to make us forget about their not so good reputation. It appears to me that they are still unable to build a car without problems.

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  Mostly Good - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Heatherdear - October 30 - 1:16 am

  For the most part, my Beetle was a good car. It was small, easy to park, fun to drive, and got fairly good gas mileage. However, it seemed like every 4-5 months it had to go to the shop to get worke on because something went wrong. I went to the Post Office once and when I went to leave, the brake sensor went out so the car wouldnt recognize that I had my foot on the brake so I couldnt take the car out of park. It had to get the coils on several cylinders replaced multiple times. There were other issues as well but I still enjoyed the car. I can honestly say that in a bad accident, the has great safety features, providing miniscule injuries.

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  250k! <3 my bug. - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dulciepoo - October 29 - 12:35 am

  My parents bought this car at 60k, gave it to me at 120k, and ive driven it up to 250k, and its still going. Ive had some issues, of course....its a car. Heating/cooling fan went out, clutch replaced once, windshield wiper fluid stopped spraying? cheap interior. Still, it is time I look for another car, and I am looking at VWs. Expensive repairs, but a VW will stay running forever. Do not pay $60 for your headlight. I bought the bulb for $12 and a small mechanic did labor for $8. Find someone else to do repairs! Youll pay 1/3 the price that you did at the dealer. Just make sure he/she knows what theyre doing.

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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.