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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  BEST car Ive owned! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ManaGrace - October 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car used with 64,ooo miles. It now has 88+ and its still kicking! I have only had everyday normal wear and tare problems with it.

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  VW does it again - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By aromatic hydrocarbon - October 20 - 10:00 am

  VW pulls another "Rabbit" out of the hat. I am 6-3, and fit this car like it was made just for me. I didnt buy it for performance, thrills, and such, but its simply amazing what a 90 HP engine prodcuing 155 ft-lbs of torque can do. The creature comforts for the GLS level are well done, the sunroof is in the right place, the thoughtfullness and operation of the controls are, well, so German! And thats a compliment. Good drive- ability, outstanding, frugal economy, and reminds me an awful lot of the "real" bugs we loved so much in the 60s and 70s. I wouldnt want to go back there, this is a superiour car

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  Good so far - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JMorr - October 20 - 10:00 am

  A great car so far. The design and engineering are terrific for the price. Car drives well and has quite a few features for the price.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By John E. Semken, Jr. - October 17 - 11:50 pm

  I have driven my Beetle to Orlando, FL. It is great fun to drive, very comfortable, and gets great mileage - 43 mpg. I have had several people comment on the beauty of my car. It has plenty of power.

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  Cute retro looking car. - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lovebug05 - October 16 - 7:55 am

  Ive had my 05 Beetle for about 2 years now. I got it with 116k miles and 17k miles on it with no major issues. Although Ive had to replace my battery twice within a year and & half. Major pain to take out and re install. The h1 bulbs for the headlights & fog lights burn out often. Major MAJOR pain in the a** to take the headlights out to put the new bulbs in. The interior dash scratches very easy and the car always smells like crayons in warmer weather. I had to put 1k in replacing the timing belt, water pump, belt tension er, serpentine belt, new tires, brakes just for preventive maintenance.

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  Love my Bug - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bug sailing - October 14 - 12:26 am

  This is my 4th VW. My first was a 1974 Super Beetle loved it,Rabbit Convertible fun, 03 Convertible new beetle, and my current purchase is a pre-owned 06 new beetle. Of course the beetle has changed since the early years but they are sooo fun to drive and still after all these years get the heads turning. Everyone loves the bug!I love the tight feel of the new bug,one could almost think they are driving a real sports car! Service is good and I love Bug sailing!(driving with the top down) My only complaint is there is no cargo space limits your shopping!I shall check back later!

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  Everyone loves my car - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By always a VW fan - October 13 - 10:00 am

  I was the first person in the city to purchase this car. I had been waiting for several years for it to come out. I love everything about this car. People are always shouting out thier windows at me about how much they love it too! My daughter and her friends love to ride it in. My daughter thinks shes getting it in 3 years - yeah right!

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  Worth Babying - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By stoontdi - October 9 - 6:10 pm

  If everybody had one of these, it wouldnt be as much fun. The TDI can pull a 1500 lb. boat and trailer better than a gas with all that torque and still get over 32 miles to the gallon.

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  So Far, So Good - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By david85m - October 7 - 3:20 pm

  Well, after swearing I would NEVER own another VW after my experience with my 2000 Beetle, I had to get a new 2006 model. I bought the Gecko Green Beetle, and so far, Im THRILLED with the car. The small changes theyve made to it (cupholders, chrome around vents, exterior lights, 5 cyl engine) have made all the difference. It is like no other car on the road...I just cant stay away from it! It does kind of stink that Im always scared it wont start due to previous experience, but so far so good! Ive had just a few small issues, the rear hatch sometimes takes two tries to open, the speakers rattle pretty badly and the gas mileage is way worse than before.

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  ode to a new beetle - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lansing - October 7 - 2:00 am

  While it was love at first sight, the affair turned out to fade with higher maintenance costs than my second wife. The Dick Dean has a shabby, little practice of adding 10% more to the overall price as a market adjustment", which since cured me of ever buying a VW from them again. Their only saving grace is their service department, which treats customers as if they matter. The only problem with the service department, is I see too much of them. After 32,000 miles, every thing on the car started falling apart, or needed replacing at $92/hour. Now that the romance has faded, I will never fall in love again with anything on the lot at Dick Dean VW.