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2009 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe Safety Review

July 17, 2009

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Four stars for front impact protection
NHTSA

Good" in front impacts; "poor" in side impacts
IIHS

subpar side-impact crash test results
Edmunds

Editors at TheCarConnection.com find that there are plenty of safety features available on the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle. Unfortunately, some crash-test scores are below par.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the New Beetle a top score of "good" for frontal-offset crash protection. However, it performs badly in side impact tests, earning a rating of "poor." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates the Volkswagen 2009 New Beetle at four stars for front crash protection, four for driver-side protection, and three stars for passenger side protection. Edmunds calls the side-impact crash tests results "subpar." Kelley Blue Book, however, declares that the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle boasts "excellent crash-test results and projected accident-repair costs."

Cars.com reports that "daytime running lights are standard." Stability control is also standard on the Volkswagen 2009 New Beetle, along with anti-lock brakes and front airbags. There are also pop-up roll bars that, Consumer Reports notes, activate automatically if sensors detect an imminent tip.

Conclusion

The 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle offers a good range of safety features—but it's clearly not the safest vehicle in its class.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Four stars for front impact protectionNHTSAGood" in front impacts; "poor" in side impactsIIHSsubpar side-impact crash test resultsEdmunds Editors at TheCarConnection.com find that there are plenty of safety features available on the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle. Unfortunately, some crash-test scores are below par. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the New Beetle a top score of "good" for frontal-offset crash protection. However, it performs badly in side impact tests, earning a rating of "poor." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates the Volkswagen 2009 New Beetle at four stars for front crash protection, four for driver-side protection, and three stars for passenger side protection. Edmunds calls the side-impact crash tests results "subpar." Kelley Blue Book, however, declares that the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle boasts "excellent crash-test results and projected accident-repair costs." Cars.com reports that "daytime running lights are standard." Stability control is also standard on the Volkswagen 2009 New Beetle, along with anti-lock brakes and front airbags. There are also pop-up roll bars that, Consumer Reports notes, activate automatically if sensors detect an imminent tip. ConclusionThe 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle offers a good range of safety features—but it's clearly not the safest vehicle in its class. 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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