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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  Smiles At Ya - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Zonk - January 3 - 6:43 am

  We have raised our families on old and new Beetles. We have owned a 1966, 1972, 1979, a 1968 Ghia, along with a 1999 New Beetle, tomoatoe red hardtop. We have always wanted a convertible and finally found the opportunity to own one this year. This new salsa red with tan interior and top is our "dream come true Beetle." It is fun to drive with the roof up or down. The power roof is sweeeeeet. The leather interior is nice and comfortable. The dash is ergonomically freindly. The Beetle sound system has a very quality sound. We have the 17" tires and wheels and I think the ride is compromised with this combination. Our Beetle always draws comments and waves when cruising the highway.

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  Tangerine - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Trixiebaby - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought a new Beetle convertible to replace my 1998 VW Cabrio, with 130,000 miles on it. Honestly, I was quite nervous making this purchase, in light of the recent quality control problems and past poor reliability of this model, at least in the hardtop model. Im keeping my fingers crossed! So far, the car has been a joy - only downside is that the top is a little hard to secure when putting it back up.

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  18 Wheeler VS. Beetle - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By BugDieselVW - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I was hit by any 18 wheeler and the cars protective features really did a super job. I survived the crash with only a few bumps and bruises. Even the windows stayed in tact. I loved my Bug before but now I am in love.

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  Bug - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JR - December 22 - 8:56 am

  The Volkswagen Beetle is a car with good room, power, gas mileage, and design. It is fun to drive and easy to park, which is a real plus in city driving and living.

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  Will always be my favorite and possible only type of car!!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By frunklaje - December 17 - 11:22 am

  Awesome little bug! It can carry a lot even three dogs, nice spoiler,(not a surprise it comes out at 90mph) great mileage have gotten 40 on highway, very small and compact but still a lot of head room. PS: Very strong panels. Ran into a van, van got a dent but no scratch on the beetle.

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  Worse than the first - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Really Bugged - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Noisy. Slow. Unreliable. Cheap interior pieces. Grossly overpriced. Youd think I was talking about a Hyundai? Nope. Were talking about the "new" Beetle, which is a more miserable experience than the "old" Beetle. Every emissions control piece has failed. Switches break. Bottoms out in car washes. Recalls. More interior rattles than cars 1/3 the price. Of 10 cars, this is the worst Ive ever owned.

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  Lots of Little Problems - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dc - December 14 - 12:43 am

  Driving the car is fun, but the electrical components are lousy. My local service department is not very good and is very costly. We have had a lot of trouble with it, nothing with the drivetrain, but lots of little electrical problems.

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  Lov my Bug - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gank - December 12 - 12:24 pm

  I needed a commuter car. I bought my yellow bug used at 100K km. I now have 380K km on it. I replaced the clutch about 40K ago, upgraded to a racing clutch without the double throw. The car has has brakes at the normal interval, had to have have the AC repaired last year after 12 years service. Everything else works great, I hope to get 500K on her, the only issue I have is the running boards are too easy to rot out... but its a cheap fix. Im now looking for another TDI for the wife... BTW I drive it like I stole it and average 53-56 MPG Oh yeah, women seem to like the yellow beast.

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  Not Particularly Happy - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By chris love - December 8 - 7:16 am

  Today I sit in the service department for approximately the 10th time in 2 years for yet another repair that has nothing to do with regularly scheduled maintenance. I purchased a new car to avoid this type of situation. Its a cutie, but it has ultimately been a disappointment as far as quality, especially electrical components. I am trading it in for a more boring but infinitely more reliable Japanese model after today. If you have a lot of time on your hands to spend in service dept waiting rooms this is the car for you! good luck...youve been warned!

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  Knockout at 18900 - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By coastie - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Wow! Having driven Japanese econo boxes for the last 7 years, I am quite impressed with the Bug 1.8T. I was on a shake down cruise to Reno and paced an Audi A4 all the way over the mountains on I80. It seemed that this car was not going to unwind or unstick from the road!