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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  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.

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  Poor car - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Dale Mayhall - October 13 - 8:10 am

  The VW convertible would not shift into overdrive in cold weather for the first twelve miles. Windows squeeked against top. I had to visit the dealer twelve times for repairs in less than a year. I sold the car two days ago.

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  Been 10 great years - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By trazy - October 13 - 6:16 am

  I purchased mine back in 03 from a dealership with 35k miles. I just crossed the 110k mark. So far Ive had nothing Id consider a "major" problem. At 90k miles the water pump went out. I also replaced the tensioner and belt. Yesterday it started misfiring bad and learned the coil pack had gone bad. I also replaced the spark plugs and the wires while having that replaced. Aside from that just changing the oil, brake pads, filters...etc. Only needing 2 sub $500 repairs in 10 years of ownership. To me, thats great. Little things have broke though. Switches, trunk latch, knobs. But those are little DIY cheap repairs.

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  I love this car - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By I Love my Beetle - October 12 - 6:53 pm

  Since I got this car, there was only one problem with it and it was EZ Lubes fault. Took it there for an oil change and the next day oil was on my driveway. I recommend getting a Beetle. Its one of best cars I ever had and I think its really reliable. All these other people who had problems with it probably didnt really take good care of their Beetles. My Honda Civic had more problems than this car.

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  Most fun to drive car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By L. Phillips - October 5 - 10:50 pm

  This 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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  My Orange Bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Doug in a VW Bug - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I have a Snap Orange Beetle. All I get is people staring at me. No major problems. Rear hatch lock would not unlatch and a non-heating passenger mirror. Cant complain though. Dealer fixxed me right up.

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  Up In Flames! - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By diannr - September 27 - 12:46 am

  Bought our 2002 TDI in December for our daughter. Two weeks later we discovered it had a messed up transmission. Counting on fuel savings over the next 5 years, we spent $3500 to have the transmission rebuilt. There were alot of rattles in the interior but we planned to address those after recovering from the trani. expense. Last weekend the brakes failed while parking, proceeded to smoke from the rear then caught on fire! A total loss for us however the salvage yard is scoring a good engine. Apparently firewalls work from both directions. I would not recommend this car!!