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2009 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe Review

July 17, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

a popular choice among those seeking a less conventional mode of transportation
Kelley Blue Book

a wholly appealing automobile that still draws smiles
Cars.com

a cute alternative to more traditional compacts
Edmunds

Reviewers run hot and cold on the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle's styling, and impressions vary widely. You either love it or are just plain tired of it; there doesn't seem to be much middle ground.

The rounded, insect-like shape that endeared the original Volkswagen Beetle to a generation of Americans is alive and well in the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle, which is available as a two-door hatchback or a two-door convertible. A 2006 redesign cleaned things up a bit, but the essentials remain the same. Cars.com gets it right in saying that "nothing else on the road looks like the modern-day Beetle." They add it's "cute and appealing." Kelley Blue Book contends the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle "remains a popular choice among those seeking a less conventional mode of transportation." On the other side of the debate, Edmunds describes the car as "aged." Car and Driver reports the New Beetle has been "garnering adoration and unnerving otherwise confident men since 2003," and points out "its inherent and flamboyant femininity," while noting that even the convertible is "losing its head-turning ability." Edmunds notes "the New Beetle's oh-so-cool veneer has worn thin as it faces strong competition from more modern rivals." There's a change in tone when it comes to the convertible: "the Beetle convertible makes an especially classic and polished statement" with its "retro chic."

Inside the Volkswagen, 2009's New Beetle uses cuteness as a weapon. There's a dash-mounted bud vase, blue lighting, and round, bulbous dash shapes that are friendly in appearance. The dash is wide, deep, and flat, creating an odd separation for the driver. Kelley Blue Book reports that the instrument panel configuration "takes some getting used to as it spans the considerable distance between the windshield and the driver and front-seat passenger."

Conclusion

The styling of the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle is what it is—either outdated or timeless, depending on your perspective.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:a popular choice among those seeking a less conventional mode of transportationKelley Blue Booka wholly appealing automobile that still draws smilesCars.coma cute alternative to more traditional compactsEdmunds Reviewers run hot and cold on the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle's styling, and impressions vary widely. You either love it or are just plain tired of it; there doesn't seem to be much middle ground. The rounded, insect-like shape that endeared the original Volkswagen Beetle to a generation of Americans is alive and well in the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle, which is available as a two-door hatchback or a two-door convertible. A 2006 redesign cleaned things up a bit, but the essentials remain the same. Cars.com gets it right in saying that "nothing else on the road looks like the modern-day Beetle." They add it's "cute and appealing." Kelley Blue Book contends the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle "remains a popular choice among those seeking a less conventional mode of transportation." On the other side of the debate, Edmunds describes the car as "aged." Car and Driver reports the New Beetle has been "garnering adoration and unnerving otherwise confident men since 2003," and points out "its inherent and flamboyant femininity," while noting that even the convertible is "losing its head-turning ability." Edmunds notes "the New Beetle's oh-so-cool veneer has worn thin as it faces strong competition from more modern rivals." There's a change in tone when it comes to the convertible: "the Beetle convertible makes an especially classic and polished statement" with its "retro chic." Inside the Volkswagen, 2009's New Beetle uses cuteness as a weapon. There's a dash-mounted bud vase, blue lighting, and round, bulbous dash shapes that are friendly in appearance. The dash is wide, deep, and flat, creating an odd separation for the driver. Kelley Blue Book reports that the instrument panel configuration "takes some getting used to as it spans the considerable distance between the windshield and the driver and front-seat passenger." ConclusionThe styling of the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle is what it is—either outdated or timeless, depending on your perspective. 2009 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE STYLING | [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "a popular choice among those seeking a less conventional mode of transportation" Cars.com: "a wholly appealing automobile that still draws smiles" Edmunds: "a cute alternative to more traditional compacts" Reviewers ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Few vehicles do retro quite as faithfully as the New Beetle, even if it has nothing in common mechanically with the original rear-engine car. However, for design mavens and small-car fans, there's the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper Convertible. Both models are a thrill to drive, handle better than the New Beetle, and go much farther on a gallon of gas. The Ford Mustang hits the right styling notes and offers convertible and V-8 editions to boot. Volkswagen's own Rabbit hatchback has a four-door version, a rich interior, up-to-date equipment, and good crash-test performance. Or for just a few thousand more than the New Beetle Convertible, you could also step up to the Eos, which is a much more sophisticated, sporty convertible with an advanced folding hardtop.

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See the Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe in Other Years:

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

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  matthew fernandes #1, Posted: 8/6/2009

    Thanks for sharing the information. I like the features of Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe. But I like the look of Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet Range Car. Its so gorgeous and the second thing, it has so much features that makes me fan of this car.The most important feature is its safty measures available in the car. The Electronic Stabilisation Programme is launched in the car with the powerful device of ABS. This device makes the car stable even in all the gears and also on the shocks that can be felt while driving. For more details refer http://www.automotivecraze.com/new-volkswagen-beetle-cabriolet-range-car-review/

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