2002 Volkswagen New Beetle: Road Test
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2002 Volkswagen New Beetle ▼
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- MSRP: $15,900 -$23,400
- Invoice: $15,151 -$21,756
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Our road test for the 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle includes a full evaluation of the 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle help you decide if a 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5.7 |
Depends on powertrain. The 2.0 is peppy enough with manual transmission but sluggish with automatic. TDI copes well with traffic but lacks passing muscle. The gas turbo engines are strong, but produce little power below 3000 rpm and suffer turbo lag (a delay in power delivery). The 150-hp turbo is noticeably quicker than the 2.0: 0-60 mph in 8.2 sec vs. about 10.2, according to VW. The new Turbo S is faster still--7.4 sec 0-60 in our test--but it further exaggerates the turbo-lag problem.
FUEL ECONOMY
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 6.1 |
Test 2.0-liter New Beetles averaged 26.4 mpg with manual transmission, 21.1 with automatic. A manual-shift TDI averaged an outstanding 42.1 mpg. Test 150-hp gas turbo models averaged 22.7 mpg with automatic transmission, 23.5 with manual. Turbo S models averaged 19.8-24 mpg, depending on driving conditions. VW recommends premium fuel for the gas turbo engines.
RIDE QUALITY
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3.5 |
Suspension is firm, but comfortably soaks up most bumps, helped by 16-inch tires and tight, solid structure. Available 17-inch tires turn the ride jittery and harsh except on smooth roads. Turbo S suspension feels even stiffer.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7.4 |
Not quite as agile as Acura RSX or Toyota Celica, though Turbo S closes the gap. Bug body shape susceptible to stiff crosswinds, but pleasantly quick and predictable in changes of direction. Handling sharper still with 17-inch tires. Braking always strong and sure.
QUIETNESS
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 3.2 |
Gas engines are civilized. Turbodiesel is gruff in full acceleration and noticed at idle, nonintrusive otherwise. Highway-speed wind noise enough to require raised voices, though automatic-transmission models are geared for lower engine rpm and are thus a tad quieter than manuals. Turbo S rear spoiler automatically extends and retracts depending on speed, but it clunks and thunks doing so.
CONTROLS
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.5 |
Turbo S has white-on-black instrument backlighting, other models get blue illumination; gauges easy to read except for tiny tachometer. Flat power window/lock switches on doors require awkward wrist motions. Cabin decor: high style and high quality throughout.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4.5 |
Comfortable seats have simple height adjusters but tedious backrest recliners. Fine leg room, towering head room even for 6-footers. Tilt/telescope steering wheel is nice, but driver's shift hand can easily collide with lower dashboard. Door mirrors and thick front windshield posts impede vision to front corners, and minivan-long dashtop takes getting used to.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 |
Leg room tight with front seats more than halfway back. Head room nonexistent for those over 5-ft-6. Doors open wide and both front seats tip up and forward, but entry/exit still not that easy.
CARGO ROOM
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2.9 |
Bug shape's sharply sloped rear roof limits space under the hatch, but rear seats fold nearly flat to open up a good deal more. Cabin provides skimpy storage for small items.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 5.2 |
The retro styling has its drawbacks, but the entertaining and well-built New Beetle is quite practical for a sporty coupe. Nostalgic appeal aside, it's a good value in this class.
Total Score
| GL, man. | GL, auto. | GLS TDI, man. | GLS Turbo w/Sport Lux. Pkg., auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | 54 | 55 | 59 | 45.5 |
Total Score: 56
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
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