2003 Volkswagen New Beetle: Road Test
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2003 Volkswagen New Beetle ▼
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- MSRP: $15,950 -$26,725
- Invoice: $15,199 -$24,919
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Our road test for the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle help you decide if a 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 5.9 |
Depends on powertrain. The 2.0-liter hatchbacks are peppy enough with manual transmission, sluggish with automatic--VW says about 10.2 sec 0-60 mph. Heavier 2.0 convertibles feel slow with either transmission--VW says 11.4 sec 0-60 with manual, 11.8 with automatic. The 150-hp turbo noticeably quicker--VW says 8.2 sec for hatchback. Turbo S faster still--7.4 sec in our tests. Gas turbos produce little power at low rpm and suffer turbo-lag power-delivery delay. TDI copes well with traffic but lacks passing muscle.
FUEL ECONOMY
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6.1 |
Test 2.0-liter hatchbacks averaged 26.4 mpg with manual transmission, 21.1 with automatic. Test 2.0 convertibles averaged 21.0-25.1 with manual, 22.7-29.3 with automatic. Test 150-hp gas-turbo models averaged 22.7 mpg with automatic transmission, 23.5 with manual. Turbo S test cars averaged 19.8-24 mpg, depending on driving conditions. Test manual-transmission TDI averaged 42.1 mpg. VW recommends premium fuel for the gas-turbo engines.
RIDE QUALITY
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 3.5 |
Suspension firm, but comfortably soaks up most bumps, helped by 16-inch tires and on hatchback by tight, solid structure. Convertible more flexible, prone to jiggle. Available 17-inch tires turn ride jittery and harsh on patchy pavement. Turbo S has stiffest suspension, but still won't rattle your teeth.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7.7 |
Even Turbo S is less agile than Acura RSX or Toyota Celica, and Bug body shape can wander in stiff crosswinds. Still, all models corner with grippy assurance despite fairly marked body lean. Handling sharper with 17-inch tires. Strong, sure braking.
QUIETNESS
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3.2 |
Gas engines are civilized. Turbodiesel is gruff in full acceleration, noticed at idle. Highway-speed wind noise enough to require raised voices, though automatic-transmission models are geared for lower engine rpm and thus a tad quieter than manuals. Convertibles top up noisier than hatchbacks but not fatiguing on long drives. Top-down conversation difficult at highway speed. Gas-turbo models' rear spoiler automatically extends and retracts depending on speed, clunks and thunks doing so.
CONTROLS
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Mostly user-friendly, but tiny tachometer hard to read and some testers find audio controls too small. Tilt/telescope steering wheel nice, but driver's shift hand can easily collide with central buttons on lower dashboard. High-style cabin decor is high quality throughout. However, poor side-window sealing had one test convertible whistling in wind. A second suffered detached roof-liner pieces and a cracked roof-release latch.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4.7 |
Comfortable seats have simple height adjusters but tedious backrest recliners. Fine leg room, towering head clearance even for 6-footers. Windshield posts, mirrors can obstruct vision when turning, view over minivan-vast dashtop takes getting used to. Convertible top limits lane-change vision when up, blocks some view aft when down.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.1 |
Leg room tight with front seats more than halfway back in hatchbacks, tighter yet in convertibles. Head room nonexistent for those over 5-ft-6. Entry/exit not that easy, yet best in class by virtue of wide doors and front seats that tip up and forward.
CARGO ROOM
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
Roof slope limits space beneath hatch, but rear seats fold nearly flat to open up good room. Convertible trunk quite small in size and opening, but useful shape makes most of space. Skimpy cabin storage for small items.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 6.1 |
The retro styling has its drawbacks, but the entertaining, well-built New Beetles are quite practical for sporty cars and thus Recommended. Convertibles give up some of the hatchback's passenger and cargo space, and will likely sell at a premium until their novelty wears off.
Total Score
| GL hatch, man. | GLS TDI hatch, man. | GLS 1.8T hatch w/17-inch wheels, auto. | GLS conv, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 57 | 59 | 45 | 47.3 |
Total Score: 55
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
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