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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  Cute, but Little Power - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By amattke - April 27 - 12:53 am

  My dream car is a Porsche 911, but circumstances require that I get something else in the meantime. The bug is very cute, and will eventually move fast, but the lower gears are slow off the line. Mine has the Tiptronic automatic transmission like the Porsche, which allows shifting manually. The gear throw isnt as satisfying, but I like having the ability. It looks slow even when cruising at 80 mph, but I suppose that isnt a bad thing if there is a patrolman nearby. It is surprisingly comfortable. I smile every time I open the garage door and see it there smiling back at me - its just charming. There is a reason that so many cartoon cars look like Beetles.

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  Bad Bug - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By pwlowe61 - April 24 - 3:46 pm

  I guess the review will not help individuals who have already bought the biggest piece of junk I have ever owned. The car was a snap orange and have a good overall appearence. This car sat in the shop 19 of the first 24 months of ownership. I couldnt keep the electronics,transmission, turbo and anything else working. The last 2 years and $2300.00 of maintenance cost finally sealed its fate. 1100 for Timing belt change,450 for door latch which shut the car down in the middle of a 4 lane highway. 600 for alternator and whatever else it needed. I would run away from this car and I will never own a VW again. They look good, but are expensive to maintain.

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  Great Fun Car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By shawn - April 23 - 6:23 am

  This little vehicle is extremely trust worthy, and gets 45 mpg regularly, just driving around with mixed highway and city miles. It starts at -30 degree weather, great car for your future kids to get to college on.

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  VW in New England - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By rwsotr - April 22 - 2:30 am

  Costly repairs with the dealers. Much easier to buy parts online and use the neighbor to assist with repairs. Replaced injection pump x2, timing belt q60K, now need new drivers seat.

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  I must have gotten the good one... - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Stan Balog - April 20 - 10:00 am

  2001 GLX "Sport" limited edition bought in 9/2002. In contrast to 90% of the reviews here, I have never had anything go wrong with this car. Not one thing. Three years of perfect servitude. My dealer could suck; I wouldnt know. Beefed up the turbo with a performance chip - this thing is an Audi TT with more headroom (62") but with a mushier suspension for those hard turns. Bought this as a winter car to complement my C5 Corvette, and its held its own. Checked out this place to see whether to buy as its going off-lease- all these other reviews made me think that I got lucky (maybe thats the limited edition part?

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  My 04 Bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By my04bug - April 17 - 11:50 pm

  The car is fun to drive and fairly economical (the turbo takes premium). My only complaints have been with dashboard warning lights that light with no apparent reason, a center console that cannot be locked, and a balky roof that has had to be repaired on several occasions.

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  tops with no top - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By beetlemom - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Best car overall ever. fun reliable suprising roomy with the exception of the trunk which is just an extension to my pocketbook. Good pick-up great with the top down, easy to use. Poor visablility with the top up in the back left and right hand corners due to small rear window, but NO prob with top down!!!!!!! BeepBeep!

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  Away we go - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Andi R - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Rides beautifully, fast as a bullet, very roomy inside

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  surprising beetle... - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kathryn - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I also always wanted a beetle, and when they returned a few years ago, I couldnt wait to own one! Its adorable, and the test drive was amazing- how it hugged the road. I love the sound of the engine. I bought a black one, and all was well until...a front headlight burned out after owning it for only 3 months?? Next? A light came on indicating that I could not drive without damaging the engine...most recently? The car died- fine one minute, dead the next. It needed a new battery after 18 months?? Oh- and the other headlight burned out. I do still love the beetle. Would I buy another one? No. Its unpredictible.

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  Beetle Turbo - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Turbo Beetle - March 27 - 5:06 am

  Third Beetle Ive owned, and all have been superb vehicles. All were bought brand new, and kept trading up. Have had this current Silver Turbo model for 8 years and have never had any serious problems with it. It is used over the last 4 years as a daily driver and between its traction in the winter and its speed/pickup in the summer, the vehicle is probably one of the best ones out there for the dollar. Maintenance is done on the vehicle per specs, and outside of a couple of door dings by jerks in parking lots, the car looks and runs as new. Probably the best value for the dollar car weve ever bought and owned.