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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  LOVE THIS CAR!!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By vwlove - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car last year and it is the best one i owned! I havent had a problem yet and its so comfortable! i have a turbo and you wouldnt imagine how fast it can go. its great for everyone! even my dad likes driving the car.

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  My vw limited edition convertible - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By KAREN DENTZ - February 18 - 1:03 pm

  I have the special edition, dark flint editiion, the 2.0 Is well worth the price compared to the turbo. You aint going to race anyone in your beatle

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  Not worth the wait. - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bughata - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has given me unbeliable electrical problems. The the whole instrument cluster is unoperational, as well as the console light is out. Our transmission slips when trying to downshift. This is a vehicle with only 50,000 miles it should not be this bad at this point, but it is. Our warranty is up and now is up to us to reapair the unreliability of such a neglecting company. Consumer beware

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  I love my bug! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By laurenp - February 15 - 10:00 am

  My 04 bug is so much fun! I love the colors, Harvest Moon with a tan top. Now that its sunny in CA, the top is down whenever Im driving. This bug is great for any season. Ive taken my bug snowboarding in Lake Tahoe a few times with no problems. The monsoon sound system is great. Eveything about my bug is great!

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  Piece of Junk! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kay Highland - February 8 - 10:00 am

  If you are thinking about buying a new VW Beetle, think again! This is the biggest piece of junk on the market! I have lost count as to how many times my car has been in the shop. It is in there right now because it will not start! They are cute and fun to drive but not reliable! I have had just about everything you can imagine go wrong with my car. I have had five oxygen sensors replaced, my CD changer replaced three times and have had several other issues. My Instrument Cluster went out and it is $300.00 to replace. The dealership charges $235.00 for a new battery! I just spent $300.00 two weeks ago to replace a bad Temperature gage. Do not buy!

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  one tough beetle! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By roman_capps - February 7 - 1:32 pm

  At first the beetle looks girly and cheap. girly to some, but cheap only in cosmetics. for the 13 years of its life it has been ragged out by a teenage girl and my father. Both have been over revved before they change gears. my father changes gears at 9000 or 90000 revolutions (cant remember) and it sends chills up my spine when he goes up hills. Not one transmission replacement to me that is amazing it sits at 195k miles. Rockwell is a great company, only in mechanical. The cosmetics on this car are absolutely cheap and plastic the entire door panel has been torn off. Its true how Volkswagen has been given to the beetle it is truly the peoples car.

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  1998 VW Beetle Hatchback - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By onexrn - January 28 - 5:20 pm

  Thoroughly enjoy driving my VW Beetle, drives like a dream, hugs the road nicely. Would like to see better mileage. I get only 19mi/gal.

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  Great Car - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By E2Z - January 27 - 9:00 am

  We have had the Turbo S for two years and 43,000 miles. We took it back to the dealer once for a recall. Other than that it has been perfect! It is fun to drive, comfortable, economical, relatively fast (my wife also has a Corvette) and dependable. We use it to commute 160 highway miles a day.

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  Dont be Fooled by the Hype - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jeff A. - January 26 - 10:00 am

  The heated seats dont work like they have in the past. Dealer insists there is a temperature sensor in the seats to determine how hot the seat should be. Even with the air-conditioning on in freezing temperatures, the 5 setting does not work at all. Not impressed with the fuel economy in the cold months. Averaging 21-22 mpg in the city. Power windows have a tendancy to roll back down after youve rolled them up. Sluggish start after sitting overnight. There is a wind vibration inside the car if the sunroof is open and traveling less than 20 mph. Very annoying.

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  Very glad I bought it, so sorry that someone else totaled it. - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By mpls5 - January 26 - 4:48 am

  This was my first new car, every other car I ever had, including a 1974 superbeetle convertible, started at over 100,000. I had some small problems the first 5 years. No problems the next 5. Drove pretty rough the last 2, but probably mostly my fault. :) I really wanted to get the car to 200,000-probably would have if a 21 year old hadnt sideswiped into me at 75 mph, sending me spinning across three lanes of interstate and into a cement barrier. Car dented on 3 sides on the outside, none on inside. Airbag didnt deploy and didnt need too, though I did get sore. Very safe car. Handled a lot of less than ideal conditions- well, including spending over 10 yrs in MN, only 1 yr of it garaged.