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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  My beetle & Me - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By clc2580 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  When the New Beetle Hatchback came out in 1998, I knew that I wanted have one as my very own. But once the word was out about the Convertible I had to get it instead. I own a Sundown Orange one w/black-grey interior....which was very hard to get (limited availibity in NJ) and I absoultely love it! Great handling, quiet smooth ride, love the blue and red dash...rear seats are more spacious than I thought. Trunk space is a little disappointing, but the head room and "open" feel of the interior makes up for it. Its almost like a clown car...looks so small outside, but once inside you feel so comfortable. My tallest friends (at around 62") fit without any trouble. Limited glove box storage....

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  so darn cute!!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By remark - December 19 - 10:00 am

  We had to have this car!!! It is our fun car, just tooling around the city, whether it be errands or a evening drive. We just absolutely love it. The turbo is a must have, since the pick up is amazing. We love the sound system and added the six disc cd changer (although it was ridiciously priced).

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  LOVE MY BUG!!!!!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By iam294evr - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This is the ultimate nostalgia car for anybody who fell in love with the original Bug model. My first car was a 68 VW bug and it just rusted out before a cross-country move I made. This remake of the VW Bug more than satisfies my desire to drive a Bug again. With all the cool, up-to-date features VW offers, it is second to none!! The diesel fuel option was a huge selling point for me as my former car was a conversion van. The contrast is stunning!! It is a very, very fun car to drive!

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  I Love My Bug!!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jmcmahan22 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased a 2003 New Beetle a week ago, and I love it!!! It handles great, looks great & sooo fun to drive. The front seats have as much head and leg room as my husbands 4-dr dodge truck. It has so many options that make it a very "smart" little car. Like they say, "Dynamite comes in small packages", this car is DYNAMITE, it will run. A car with personality & attitude. VW put a lot in this car. I love my bug!!!

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  Fun, fun, fun - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Brenda Siewert - December 18 - 3:56 am

  I was looking for a great convertible that would be reliable transportation. This VW convertible never fails to turn heads and get a smile from everyone. We flew to Nashville, TN to pick it up and drove it back to Austin, TX. For 2 over 50 baby-boomers, it was a surprisingly smooth ride home. Very impressed with the power top and pep of the 2.0 liter automatic. Its a second car thats a fun weekend driver, but a very small area for luggage and other passengers. Worth the money. VW is a great automobile.

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  The Best One So Far.... - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ray Cavanagh - December 13 - 7:10 pm

  I owned a 2002 SLK and 2003 BMW Z-4. After spending a fortune for upkeep of these two cars I dumped them both and bought a 2007 Convertible, and a 2008 Triple White coupe. They both run circles around my former car. I have homes in both Sacramento and Palm Springs, a ride of 500 miles. Both cars get me there in style and comfort. So far, I have been happy with both. The comfort level and handling has been outstanding. Love the fact that I am putting regular gas in and not the premium I was so use to. I will never do the luxury car route again when I can get a better car in the New Bug.

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  I love it! - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By annie - December 6 - 1:40 am

  Lots of pick up, great for parking, not as fuel efficient as billed, more trunk space than you would think, tight quarters in back seat - really for two people, much more fun to run errands and grocery shop, easy top to operate, good sound system, terrific heating and defrost system, seat warmers work almost too well. When you put in cd rack - no room for any storage.

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  Get a manual - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Sarah - December 2 - 12:26 pm

  After reading some of these reviews, Im not surprised that people had a lot of problems with the automatic transmission. My second VW was an automatic and I had to replace the transmission at 60K miles. Instead of letting the lease run its course, I got a great deal on my Bug Convertible. Its a manual transmission and have experienced NONE of the problems that my last VW had. The car is fun and sporty. Not too fast, but I drive like an old lady anyway. I also dont commute for work so my mileage is way low. I would recommend this car to anyone thats willing to buy manual, makes it even more fun.

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  love the bug - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lamama - December 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is great for what it is. A fun, cute car perfect for one person, maybe two. I have a two year old who has only know this car and loves it still, but its starting to get too small to be a family car. Still Ive only had good things come from driving it. I hate to see it go. My only complaints are that its hard to see the front of the car, because of the design, so you really have to get used to it and drive by instinct instead of sight. And the side panels are wide and create blind spots. But its only caused me to be more careful.

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  MY LITTLE "SWEET PEA" - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By TED CHANOCK - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1960 BEETLE AND OWNED IT WHEN I FIRST MET MY WIFE IN 1962. I LOVED IT AND HAD IT FOR 5 YEARS. MY WIFE RECENTLY DIED AND NOSTALGIA SET IN AND I NEEDED TO BE RE-CONNECTED TO THIS WONDERFUL MEMORY OF HER. I AM SO GLAD I PURCHASED THE 2004 BEETLE. IT NOT ONLY LOOKS GREAT, BUT I AM UTTERLY IMPRESSED BY THIS QUALITY MACHINE. IT OFFERS ME EVERYTHING I WAS LOOKING FOR AND MORE.