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2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Volkswagen New Beetle to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:

  • Iconic shape
  • Convertible version
  • Good front-seat headroom

Dislikes:

  • Lackluster five-cylinder engine
  • Rear-seat headroom
  • Middling side crash performance

Buying Tips:


The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle's price should be easily negotiated. Sales have slowed dramatically, and the lack of a truly sporting powertrain has cut into its appeal.

The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle coupe and convertible have been on the market for a decade in largely the same form. Based on a previous generation of the Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit, the New Beetle coupe and convertible were updated in 2006 in a very subtle way. While the bubbly shape remains instantly recognizable--and the interior as well trimmed as ever--the New Beetle is showing its age, particularly under the skin.

While diesels and turbo fours have been offered in the past, a 2.5-liter in-line five-cylinder is the only engine available on the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle these days. It's rated at 150 horsepower and works through either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. It pushes the New Beetle with a minimum of enthusiasm, but with decent efficiency; the New Beetle gets 20/29 mpg with the automatic transmission in the coupe, and 20/28 mpg with the manual transmission in the coupe and the automatic in the convertible. Handling is similarly dull.

The rounded shape makes the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle look larger from the outside than it is inside. The dash slopes far away from the driver, and the roofline cuts into headroom in the cramped backseats, as well as into trunk room (the New Beetle's engine is up front, against Beetle tradition).

The convertible version adds heft but balances it with a sunnier disposition. With help from Karmann, which designed the top for the original Beetle convertible, the top in the Volkswagen New Beetle keeps the signature roofline arc and excess of front headroom, as well as a shortage of rear headroom. There's a noticeable decrease in rear cargo space (5 cubic feet in the convertible versus 12 cubic feet in the coupe). The three-layer fabric top lowers in 13 seconds, though.

Volkswagen has deleted some equipment from the New Beetle's spec sheet; front floor mats are no longer standard, while fog lights, leather seating, and rain-sensing wipers are off the equipment list entirely. Tire-pressure monitors and a temporary spare tire have been added as standard equipment, though, and Sirius Satellite Radio is an option. More advanced features such as a navigation system and Bluetooth are unavailable.

Stability control is standard, along with anti-lock brakes and front airbags. The NHTSA rates the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle at four stars for front crash protection, four for driver side protection, and three stars for passenger side protection.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle, also consider:

Reason Why:

A few cars bring back designs from the 1960s in newly updated forms. The MINI Cooper is one--and it's a success at reinventing the MINI's charm on a larger scale. The Ford Mustang hits the right styling notes and offers convertible and V-8 editions to boot. If you're looking for an inexpensive German car with good handling and fuel economy and more room, Volkswagen's own Rabbit hatchback has a four-door version, a rich interior, up-to-date equipment, and good crash test performance.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle’s looks are its best features—interior room, performance and crash protection are not.

TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Volkswagen New Beetle to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information. Likes:Iconic shapeConvertible versionGood front-seat headroomDislikes:Lackluster five-cylinder engineRear-seat headroomMiddling side crash performanceBuying Tips: The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle's price should be easily negotiated. Sales have slowed dramatically, and the lack of a truly sporting powertrain has cut into its appeal. The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle coupe and convertible have been on the market for a decade in largely the same form. Based on a previous generation of the Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit, the New Beetle coupe and convertible were updated in 2006 in a very subtle way. While the bubbly shape remains instantly recognizable--and the interior as well trimmed as ever--the New Beetle is showing its age, particularly under the skin. While diesels and turbo fours have been offered in the past, a 2.5-liter in-line five-cylinder is the only engine available on the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle these days. It's rated at 150 horsepower and works through either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. It pushes the New Beetle with a minimum of enthusiasm, but with decent efficiency; the New Beetle gets 20/29 mpg with the automatic transmission in the coupe, and 20/28 mpg with the manual transmission in the coupe and the automatic in the convertible. Handling is similarly dull. The rounded shape makes the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle look larger from the outside than it is inside. The dash slopes far away from the driver, and the roofline cuts into headroom in the cramped backseats, as well as into trunk room (the New Beetle's engine is up front, against Beetle tradition). The convertible version adds heft but balances it with a sunnier disposition. With help from Karmann, which designed the top for the original Beetle convertible, the top in the Volkswagen New Beetle keeps the signature roofline arc and excess of front headroom, as well as a shortage of rear headroom. There's a noticeable decrease in rear cargo space (5 cubic feet in the convertible versus 12 cubic feet in the coupe). The three-layer fabric top lowers in 13 seconds, though. Volkswagen has deleted some equipment from the New Beetle's spec sheet; front floor mats are no longer standard, while fog lights, leather seating, and rain-sensing wipers are off the equipment list entirely. Tire-pressure monitors and a temporary spare tire have been added as standard equipment, though, and Sirius Satellite Radio is an option. More advanced features such as a navigation system and Bluetooth are unavailable. Stability control is standard, along with anti-lock brakes and front airbags. The NHTSA rates the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle at four stars for front crash protection, four for driver side protection, and three stars for passenger side protection. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle, also consider:MINI CooperFord MustangVolkswagen RabbitReason Why:A few cars bring back designs from the 1960s in newly updated forms. The MINI Cooper is one--and it's a success at reinventing the MINI's charm on a larger scale. The Ford Mustang hits the right styling notes and offers convertible and V-8 editions to boot. If you're looking for an inexpensive German car with good handling and fuel economy and more room, Volkswagen's own Rabbit hatchback has a four-door version, a rich interior, up-to-date equipment, and good crash test performance. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle’s looks are its best features—interior room, performance and crash protection are not. TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Volkswagen New Beetle to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more ...

Other Choices:

A few cars bring back designs from the 1960s in newly updated forms. The MINI Cooper is one--and it's a success at reinventing the MINI's charm on a larger scale. The Ford Mustang hits the right styling notes and offers convertible and V-8 editions to boot. If you're looking for an inexpensive German car with good handling and fuel economy and more room, Volkswagen's own Rabbit hatchback has a four-door version, a rich interior, up-to-date equipment, and good crash test performance.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe near you

See the Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

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