2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

An available assistance service tops the short list of New Beetle additions for 2004. All New Beetles have a 4-cyl engine. GL and GLS models have a 115-hp 2.0 liter. GLS 1.8T models have a 150-hp turbo 1.8. These models are available in both hatchback and convertible body styles. Available only as hatchbacks, TDI models have a 100-hp turbodiesel 1.9, and the top-line Turbo S has a 180-hp turbo 1.8, plus unique trim and stiffer suspension. All New Beetles come with manual transmission: a 6 speed for the Turbo S, a 5 speed otherwise. All but the Turbo S are available with automatic transmission: a 6 speed with manual-shift capability for convertibles and TDI models, a conventional 4 speed otherwise. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard, as are front side airbags that add head protection. Traction/antiskid control is standard on the Turbo S and the GLS 1.8T convertible; it's optional on other New Beetles. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are among available amenities. Among convertibles, the GL has a manual-folding top, the GLS a power top; both include a heated glass rear window and rollover bars that deploy if sensors detect an imminent tip. Newly available for hatchbacks an OnStar assistance system. Other changes for '04 include restyled wheels and available xenon headlights.

News

Though doubts were being whispered about this VW's future, dealers have reportedly been told to expect a "New New Beetle" in a couple of years. Logic suggests it will share the platform of the redesigned Golf/Jetta that's reaches U.S. shores in early 2005. VW insists the basic "three circle" profile will persist, though the platform change means the new model won't be a carbon copy of the current one. Engines are likely to comprise the familiar 1.8-liter turbo-4, the new 2.0-liter turbodisel-4 now available in the midrange Passat, and a new 2.0-liter base 4-cyl gasoline engine with direct fuel injection and around 150 hp.

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Road Test

Pros	Cons

Handling/roadholding	Rear-seat head room

Fuel economy	Visibility

	Rear-seat entry/exit

	Highway wind noise (convertible)

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

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	6.1

Depends on powertrain. The 2.0-liter hatchbacks are peppy enough with manual transmission. But they're 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	5.6

Test 2.0-liter hatchbacks averaged 26.4 mpg with manual transmission, 21.1 with automatic. Test 2.0 convertibles did 21.0-25.1 with manual, 22.7-29.3 with automatic. Test 150-hp gas-turbo models logged 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 squeezed out 42.1 mpg. VW recommends premium-grade fuel for the 1.8T 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	3.6

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	8

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	3.1

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	6.1

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 the 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	4.9

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, and 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	1.2

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	2.8

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	6.2

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	47.6

Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		35
Average Score		47
High Score		59

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 03/09/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

GL 2-door hatchback, manual	$16,330	$15,618	$575

GL 2-door hatchback, automatic	$17,205	$16,482	$575

GL 2-door convertible, manual	$20,900	$19,932	$575

GL 2-door convertible, automatic	$22,075	$21,109	$575

GL TDI 2-door hatchback, manual	$17,630	$16,845	$575

GL TDI 2-door hatchback, automatic	$18,705	$17,918	$575

GLS 2-door hatchback, manual	$18,520	$17,310	$575

GLS 2-door hatchback, automatic	$19,395	$18,174	$575

GLS 2-door convertible, manual	$22,640	$21,114	$575

GLS 2-door convertible, automatic	$23,815	$22,291	$575

GLS TDI 2-door hatchback, manual	$19,760	$18,455	$575

GLS TDI 2-door hatchback, automatic	$20,835	$19,528	$575

GLS 1.8T 2-door hatchback, manual	$20,480	$19,119	$575

GLS 1.8T 2-door hatchback, automatic	$21,355	$19,983	$575

GLS 1.8T 2-door convertible, manual	$24,820	$23,129	$575

GLS 1.8T 2-door convertible, automatic	$25,995	$24,306	$575

Turbo S 2-door hatchback, manual	$23,850	$22,233	$575

Price note: TDI not available in Calif., Mass., Maine, N.Y., Vt.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine or 1.9-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine (TDI), 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission (hatchback), 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability (TDI, convertible).

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, automatic roll bars (convertible), front-seat active head restraints, emergency inside trunk release, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery (hatchback), vinyl upholstery (convertible), front bucket seats w/height adjustment, center console, cupholders, folding rear seat (hatchback), trunk pass-through (convertible), heated power mirrors w/turn signals, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, visor mirrors (hatchback), illuminated visor mirrors (convertible), map lights, remote fuel-door and hatchback releases, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, cargo cover (hatchback), manual convertible top (convertible), floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, full-size spare tire, 205/55HR16 tires.

GLS adds to GL:

Powertrain

1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder 150-horsepower engine (1.8T), 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability (convertible, 1.8T), traction control (1.8T).

Safety

Brake assist (1.8T convertible), antiskid system (1.8T convertible).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Monsoon sound system, power sunroof (hatchback), illuminated visor mirrors, power convertible top (convertible).

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, rear spoiler (1.8T), alloy wheels.

Turbo S adds to GLX:

Powertrain

1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder 180-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission, traction control.

Safety

Brake assist, antiskid system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear spoiler, heated washer nozzles, sport suspension, 225/45HR17 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Leather Pkg.
GLS	$900	$795
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated washer nozzles.

Leather Sport Seats Pkg.
GLS 1.8T convertible	$1,100	$971
Leather Pkg. plus front sport seats w/lumbar adjustment, unique interior trim. Std. Turbo S.

Cold Weather Pkg.
GLS	$150	$133
Heated front seats, heated washer nozzles.

Powertrain
California/Northeast emissions
GL, GLS, Turbo S	$150	$150


Safety
Antiskid system
GL, GLS	$280	$247
Std. GLS 1.8T convertible, Turbo S.

Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar assistance system
GL, GLS, Turbo S	$730	$645
Includes one-year service, automatic day/night rearview mirror. NA convertible.

Vinyl upholstery
GL/GLS hatchback	$0	$0


Wind blocker
GLS convertible	$250	$221


Ski sack
GLS convertible	$185	$163


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Xenon headlights
GLS	$600	$530


17-inch alloy wheels
GLS 1.8T	$400	$353
Includes 225/45R17 tires.

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Volkswagen New Beetle 2-door hatchback	Volkswagen New Beetle 2-door convertible

Wheelbase, in.	98.7	98.8

Overall Length, in.	161.1	161.1

Overall Width, in.	67.9	67.9

Overall Height, in.	59.0	59.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	2743	3075

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	27.1	5.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.5	14.5

Seating Capacity	4	4

Front Head Room, in.	41.3	40.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	39.4	39.4

Rear Head Room, in.	36.7	37.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	33.5	31.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc I4	Turbodiesel sohc I4	Turbocharged dohc I4	Turbocharged dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.0 /121	1.9 /116	1.8 /109	1.8 /109

Horsepower @ rpm.	115 @ 5200	100 @ 4000	150 @ 5800	180 @ 5500

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	122 @ 2600	177 @ 1800	162 @ 2200	173 @ 1950

Availability	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	24/30	38/46	24/31	--/--

6-speed manual	--/--	--/--	--/--	23/30

5-speed automatic	24/31	--/--	23/29	--/--

6-speed automatic	21/31	36/42	23/30	--/--

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Volkswagen New Beetle 2-door hatchback	Volkswagen New Beetle 2-door convertible

Front Impact, Driver	4	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4	4

Rollover Resistance	4	4

Side Impact, Driver	5	NA

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	3	NA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	12/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Mexico

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Photos

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