2006 Volkswagen New Beetle Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

A more powerful standard engine and revised styling are 2006 updates of note to Volkswagen's retro-styled cars. New Beetles come as 2-dr hatchbacks or convertibles. A 150-hp 2.5-liter 5-cyl is now the standard engine. The 115-hp and 150-hp turbocharged 4-cyl engines are dropped. Available only as a hatchback is the TDI model with a 100-hp 4-cyl turbodiesel. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. A 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate is optional. Every New Beetle includes antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and front side airbags with head and torso protection. An antiskid system and traction control are standard. Audio systems have a jack for connecting digital music players. Also optional are leather upholstery and heated front seats. Convertibles have a manual-folding top or optional power top, and include a heated glass rear window and rollover bars that deploy if sensors detect an imminent tip.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. The Sporty/Performance Car class consists of two-seat roadsters, 4-cyl hatchbacks, and V8 muscle cars. Regardless of configuration, all have an emphasis on affordable performance.

Our Best Buys include Ford Mustang Mazda Miata, and Scion tC. Our Recommended picks are Acura RSX, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z, and Pontiac GTO.

New or significantly redesigned models include Mitsubishi Eclipse and Pontiac Solstice.

2006 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

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

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/13/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2.5 2-door hatchback, manual	$17,180	$16,107	$630

2.5 2-door hatchback, automatic	$18,255	$17,180	$630

2.5 2-door convertible, manual	$22,120	$20,696	$630

2.5 2-door convertible, automatic	$23,195	$21,769	$630

TDI 2-door hatchback, manual	$18,390	$17,232	$630

TDI 2-door hatchback, automatic	$19,465	$18,305	$630

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

2.5

Powertrain

2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, traction control.

Safety

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

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescope steering wheel, cruise control, vinyl upholstery, 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/CD player (hatchback), AM/FM/CD/MP3 player (convertible), upgraded sound system (convertible), digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, 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, alloy wheels.

TDI adds to 2.5:

Powertrain

1.9-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Upgraded sound system.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Pkg. 1
hatchback	$1,390	$1,291
convertible	$1,325	$1,231
Heated front seats, upgraded sound system, power sunroof (hatchback), power convertible top (convertible), heated washer nozzles, wind deflector (convertible).

Pkg. 2
hatchback	$3,145	$2,920
convertible	$3,030	$2,815
Pkg. 1 plus leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded sound system (2.5), automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights, 225/45HR17 tires, unique alloy wheels.

Comfort and Convenience Features
6-disc CD changer
2.5	$499	$340


Satellite radio
2.5, TDI	$375	$331
Requires monthly fee after 3rd month.

Rubber floormats
hatchback	$99	$64

2006 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.	2884	3164

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.	38.2	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

	dohc I5	Turbodiesel sohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.5 /151	1.9 /116

Horsepower @ rpm.	150 @ 5000	100 @ 4000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	170 @ 3750	177 @ 1800

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	22/31	37/44

6-speed automatic	23/32	35/42

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	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	3	3

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	6/60,000	--

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

Corrosion	12/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	/

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

< 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle Photos

Also in the 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle Review:

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Volkswagen New Beetle Road Test

Volkswagen New Beetle Prices & Equipment

Volkswagen New Beetle Specs & Safety

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