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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  2008 Convertible - Fun fun fun - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Belaircarguy - June 3 - 11:06 am

  Bought a beautiful black with cream interior SE model a few weeks ago. Purchased this mainly for my daughters to drive, although I have to admit the old man likes it too! Havent had a VW for a number of years, but they were always a fun car to drive, and this convertible is no exception. The SE comes with a power top, so makes it much easier for raising and lowering the roof. The car has plenty of pep and the Tiptronic 6 speed manual / automatic transmission is a pleasure. I also like being able to set it to "sport mode", where the transmission holds the shift pattern to higher RPM setting. Good handling as a touring vehicle and sure stopping brakes. Great little car!

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  Perfect for ME!!! - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kmck1083 - May 26 - 9:06 am

  I bought the car from a dealership in 2005. It had one previous owner, and that was a lease. The car had 28,000 miles from the three years of ownership. Ive taken this car on road trips and drive it mostly back and forth for work/school and I LOVE it! Im an average sized, young female and it fits well. Its easy to drive and shifting is a breeze. No sticky gears or clutch problems.

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  Love my bug! - 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Susan - May 24 - 4:56 am

  I owned 2 bugs back in the 70s in California. Wow, has the bug changed! This car is a joy to drive. I dont feel like I am sitting lower than other cars. I also have a truck and thought that the change to a bug would leave me feeling "low!" Not the case. I put the top down and my 100 pound mutt and my 150 pound St. Bernard go for a drive. Plenty of room for us all.

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  Few problems-overall largely pleased - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By az owner - May 15 - 5:50 am

  Bought with 88K miles--probably paid too much, but was pressed for time for a move and new job. Purchased knowing would have long daily commute & weekend travel home--excellent mileage on freeway driving, tween 46-50 mpg. In town usually around 38-40. Very keen on quick acceleration. Yes, some frustration with electrical, e.g. persistent glow plug light was annoying, but fixable at low price. Sunroof fun and climate control okay. With back seat down good storage capacity. Sound system good, but put in XM receiver and sold off original system at purchase. Very satisfied all in all-but several of the complaints here have some validity in my view.

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  Its horrible!! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lucy99 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Just like every other Beetle owner ive talked to, I have had nothing but problems with this car. Besides the horrible designs on the inside (cd changer in the trunk, cup holders unreachable, giant blind spots in every corner), i find new problems every day. After slightly over 3 years, we had to buy a new engine and theres been even more problems since we got it. There has been too many recalled parts to even count. The dealers are horrible and have broken more stuff than they have fixed. I just traded in this timebomb for a reliable toyota and will never buy another VW.

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  This car is amazing - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Karrie - May 11 - 4:20 pm

  This car is amazing! When I drove it I was sold. Actually I drove a manual turbo frist, then I drove my top of the line tiptronic transmission convertable. Now I am a proud owner. Great on gas. Fun fun fun. I drive it everywhere. It can tackle any hill, mountain or weather. Dont forget it can handle California freeways.

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  In Love with My Beetle - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Liz - May 7 - 1:16 pm

  I went from having a Ford Explorer to my 2006 Volkswagen Beetle, so the change in what I was spending on gas was fantastic. I also went from having a 6-cyclinder to a 5, honestly you cant tell the difference. And dont think youre going to feel like just another person with a Beetle. The new lights and lines make it look noticeably different. It is so fun to drive, so really get the dealership to let you test drive it. If you get the harvest beige, the Mr. Clean magic erasers are awesome at getting left over adhesive and little skuff marks off the car :).

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  A typical experience - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By debug - May 7 - 10:00 am

  I love this car, its so fun. Use it as a 3rd car -about to sell it since its hard to get a car seat into the back. Window switch problem, peeling door handles (no lotion here!), badly designed cup holders, had MANY headlights and harnesses, plus electrical problem I had to go to war over...defective killed the battery within 48 hours. They told me I should "drive it more!" (how, since it was always dead?) After calling VW and causing a scene at the dealer they finally diagnosed the problem. It is cute, fun, very good pickup. I still love it after all that. Good design, German-style steering. And it fits my 64" spouse.

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  Piece o crap! - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By NOT happy in LA, CA - May 7 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle brand new with 16 miles on it in November 2001. It is now July 2002. So far, it has had the wheel hub, wheel bearings, brakes, ABS sensor, gasoline cable switch inside the car and clutch readjusted. NOW Im waiting for new parts for the bad power windows that all the Beetles have. I should have stuck with Toyota. I owned them for 20 years. Im super bummed. What a terrible purchase!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Steer Away If You Want a Safe Car - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Hayley - May 5 - 5:25 pm

  I am 19 years old and received this car as a birthday present less than 2 years ago, the car seemed great at first running fantastically until small little headaches started happening. First it was my keys getting stuck in the ignition when trying to turn the car off, i couldnt even go to class that day because i couldnt turn the car off. Then it was the multiple windows breaking in the car that would go down but then not come up (driver, passenger side, and drivers back window). The car did fairly well in the snow, coming from Connecticut we get our fair share- the car has good control but theres absolutely no weight to the car so i found myself skidding and struggling to get up hills. My last experience with this car was the accident i got in it about a week ago. I rear ended the back of a pick up truck on the highway going 40 miles per hour, easy to say my car was totaled. It was a horrifying experience because i felt no security in the car whatsoever when getting into the accident, theres so little to the car if i hit any harder the entire front of my car wouldve been gone probably. Its a cute, fun summer car thats nice to drive around if you live in the right conditions. But please take this from me, if youre considering buying your child this car, PLEASE look into better safety features. This car has absolutely no protection to it if you were to get in a serious accident.