Volkswagen Beetle
The Beetle has gone from being VW's most beloved child and a hit on the auto-show circuit to the black sheep of the family. When this retro classic was resurrected in the Nineties -- to great fanfare -- as the New Beetle, it gave the VW brand a shot in the arm. Fast forward to today and you'll see Beetles languishing on dealers' lots.
2018 Reliability
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Beetle
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Acura MDX
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Acura RDX
Audi A4
Audi A4
Audi A5
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Audi Allroad
Audi Allroad
Crash Tests
Crash Tests
Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands
Owner Reports
Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands
Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands
Crash Tests
2018 Ratings
- 2-liter 4 turbo (174 hp)
- 6-speed automatic
In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.
Read more about extended warrantiesThe 2012 redesigned Beetle has fewer compromises and a roomier cabin. It drives decently but suffers from cost-cutting measures. While the ride is compliant, it's a bit unsettled. Handling is responsive but not sporty, and it becomes sloppy in demanding conditions. The standard five-cylinder engine is punchy but sounds gruff and unrefined. We got a less-than-stellar 26 mpg overall with the five-speed manual transmission. Turbocharged gas and diesel 2.0-liter engines are also available. Rear visibility is limited and the long clutch pedal travel and wide center console compromise the driving position. For 2018, a 2.0-liter turbo became standard, and the manual transmission was dropped. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert became standard on all trim lines for the 2019 model year--the Beetle’s final production run.
The New Beetle is a modern hatchback that bears a nostalgic family resemblance to the VW "Bug." In our tests, we found the car's ride to be good and its handling nimble. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder accelerates adequately but was noisy. A more economical diesel is also offered. The front seats are firm and supportive. The rear is cramped, though the seats fold for increased cargo space. The New Beetle has performed notably well in front crash tests but poorly in side tests. A quicker turbocharged model was added for 1999 and a convertible joined the line for 2003. A five-cylinder engine replaced the four-cylinder for 2006, and the turbocharged engine was dropped in 2007.