Acceleration

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
5	3	6.4

No opportunity yet to test with automatic transmission. With manual transmission, slow-revving 5-cyl needs full throttle for best takeoffs, feels livelier at speed. TDI performs well in most situations, though feels taxed in highway passing maneuvers.

Fuel Economy

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
5	9	5.5

Test 2.5 hatchback with manual transmission averaged 21.3 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. Test manual-transmission TDI averaged 42.1 mpg. VW recommends regular-grade fuel for the 2.5.

Ride Quality

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	3.9

Suspension firm, but comfortably soaks up most bumps, helped by 16-inch tires and hatchback's tight, solid structure. Less-rigid convertibles suffer more rough-road jiggle--and minor body quivers. Available 17-inch tires turn ride jittery and harsh on patchy pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	8

Less agile than an Acura RSX or a Mini Cooper, and bulky Bug design is prone to crosswind wander at highway speeds. Still, all models corner with grippy predictability, if also fairly marked body lean. Handling sharper with 17-inch tires. Strong, sure braking.

Quietness

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
5	5	3.2

Turbodiesel gruff at full throttle, a bit clattery at idle. Wind noise rises to require raised voices at highway speeds. Top-up convertibles are noisier than hatchbacks, but not wearing on long drives. Top-down chats difficult at highway speeds.

Controls

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	5.5

Mostly user friendly, but tiny tachometer is hard to read and audio controls are too small for some of our testers. Tilt/telescope steering wheel nice, but driver's shift hand can easily collide with the dashboard just ahead. High-style cabin decor is high quality throughout. 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)

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
7	7	5.2

Comfortable seats have simple pump-handle height adjusters, but tedious handwheels for backrest recline. Fine leg room, towering head clearance even for six-footers. Windshield posts, door mirrors can obstruct vision in turns, and view over minivan-vast dashtop takes acclimation. Convertible top limits lane-change vision when up, blocks some view aft when down.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
2	2	1.4

Leg room virtually vanishes with front seats more than halfway back. Head room nonexistent for those over 5-ft-6. Cabin narrows in back, is snug even for two preteens. Entry/exit not that easy, yet best in class by virtue of wide doors and front seats that tip up and forward.

Cargo Room

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
7	7	3.2

Roof slope limits space beneath hatch, but rear seats fold nearly flat to open up good room. Convertibles' separate trunk quite small in size and opening, but usefully shaped. Skimpy cabin storage for small items.

Value within Class

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
6	6	6.6

The retro styling has its drawbacks in terms of function, but New Beetles are entertaining, solidly built, and reasonably practical funmobiles, though convertibles sacrifice some of the hatchback's passenger and cargo space. VW hopes a new powertrain and revised styling for 2006 will help revive interest in the New Beetle line.

Total Score

2.5 hatch, man.	TDI hatch, man.	Class Average
55	57	48.9

Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		40
Average Score		48
High Score		58