Vehicle History Report
Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.
- • New Cars
2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Full Review
Date Published: 4/09/08
Also in the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Volkswagen New Beetle Full Review
7.
8.
9.
2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Review
The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle lineup gets new trim-level designations. This four-passenger, retro-styled car comes as a 2-door coupe or convertible. S and SE trim levels replace the Base and 2.5 monikers. The only engine for all is a 150-hp 2.5-liter 5-cylinder. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and front side airbags. Convertibles have rollover bars that deploy if sensors detect an imminent tip. S convertibles have a manual-folding top; it's power-operated on the SE. Options include heated front seats.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. The Sporty/Performance Car class consists of two-seat roadsters, 4-cylinder hatchbacks, and V8 muscle cars. Regardless of configuration, all have an emphasis on affordable performance.
Our Best Buys include the Mazda MX-5 and Scion tC. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Mustang and Mini Cooper. New this year is the Mini Cooper Clubman.
Our Best Buys include the Mazda MX-5 and Scion tC. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Mustang and Mini Cooper. New this year is the Mini Cooper Clubman.
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 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
Only manual-transmission New Beetles have been made available for us to test. With that transmission, the slow-revving 5-cylinder engine needs full throttle for best takeoffs. It feels livelier once under way, however.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 6.6 |
Only manual-transmission New Beetles have been made available for us to test. With that transmission, the slow-revving 5-cylinder engine needs full throttle for best takeoffs. It feels livelier once under way, however.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission S hatchback averaged 21.3 mpg. New Beetle uses regular-grade gas.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.3 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission S hatchback averaged 21.3 mpg. New Beetle uses regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality
The suspension is firm, but it comfortably soaks up most bumps, helped by the hatchback's tight, solid structure. Less-rigid convertibles suffer more rough-road jiggle--and minor body quivers, but no additional impact harshness. No opportunity to test with the available 17-inch tires.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 4.1 |
The suspension is firm, but it comfortably soaks up most bumps, helped by the hatchback's tight, solid structure. Less-rigid convertibles suffer more rough-road jiggle--and minor body quivers, but no additional impact harshness. No opportunity to test with the available 17-inch tires.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Corners with grippy predictability, if also fairly marked body lean. New Beetle's bulky body shape can induce some crosswind wander at highway speeds. Braking is strong and sure.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 8 |
Corners with grippy predictability, if also fairly marked body lean. New Beetle's bulky body shape can induce some crosswind wander at highway speeds. Braking is strong and sure.
Quietness
Average for engine and tire noise. Wind rustle rises enough to require raised voices at highway speeds. Top-up, convertibles are noisier than hatchbacks, but they're not tiresome on long drives. Top-down conversations are difficult at highway speeds.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 5 | 4 | 3.2 |
Average for engine and tire noise. Wind rustle rises enough to require raised voices at highway speeds. Top-up, convertibles are noisier than hatchbacks, but they're not tiresome on long drives. Top-down conversations are difficult at highway speeds.
Controls
Mostly user friendly, but the tiny tachometer is hard to read. The audio controls are undersized, too. The standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel is nice, but the driver's hand on the gearshift can easily collide with the dashboard just ahead.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.6 |
Mostly user friendly, but the tiny tachometer is hard to read. The audio controls are undersized, too. The standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel is nice, but the driver's hand on the gearshift can easily collide with the dashboard just ahead.
Details
Cabin decor shows high style with quality plastic panels. 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.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 4 | 4.8 |
Cabin decor shows high style with quality plastic panels. 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)
Comfortable seats have simple pump-handle height adjusters, but tedious handwheels for backrest recline. Fine legroom with towering head clearance, even for six-footers. Windshield posts and the door mirrors can obstruct vision in turns, and the view over the minivan-vast dashtop takes acclimation. Convertible top limits lane-change vision when up, blocks some view aft when down.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.3 |
Comfortable seats have simple pump-handle height adjusters, but tedious handwheels for backrest recline. Fine legroom with towering head clearance, even for six-footers. Windshield posts and the door mirrors can obstruct vision in turns, and the view over the minivan-vast dashtop takes acclimation. Convertible top limits lane-change vision when up, blocks some view aft when down.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Legroom nearly vanishes with the front seats set far back. Headroom is nonexistent for those over 5-ft-6. Cabin narrows in the back, is snug even for two preteens. Entry and exit are among the best in class by virtue of wide doors and front seats that tip up and forward. It's still not terribly easy, however.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 1.4 |
Legroom nearly vanishes with the front seats set far back. Headroom is nonexistent for those over 5-ft-6. Cabin narrows in the back, is snug even for two preteens. Entry and exit are among the best in class by virtue of wide doors and front seats that tip up and forward. It's still not terribly easy, however.
Cargo Room
Roof slope limits space beneath the hatch, but rear seats fold nearly flat to open up good room. Convertibles' separate trunk is quite small in size and opening, but it's usefully shaped and holds more than expected, as long as it's carefully loaded. Skimpy cabin storage for small items.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 5 | 2 | 2.9 |
Roof slope limits space beneath the hatch, but rear seats fold nearly flat to open up good room. Convertibles' separate trunk is quite small in size and opening, but it's usefully shaped and holds more than expected, as long as it's carefully loaded. Skimpy cabin storage for small items.
Value within Class
The retro styling has its drawbacks and the 5-cylinder engine is no prize. New Beetles are entertaining and reasonably practical funmobiles. Convertibles sacrifice some of the hatchback's passenger and cargo space but reward with a particularly expansive open-air feel.
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 6 |
The retro styling has its drawbacks and the 5-cylinder engine is no prize. New Beetles are entertaining and reasonably practical funmobiles. Convertibles sacrifice some of the hatchback's passenger and cargo space but reward with a particularly expansive open-air feel.
Total Score
| S hatchback, manual | S convertible, manual | Class Average |
| 57 | 51 | 53.2 |
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 42 | |
| Average Score | 53 | |
| High Score | 70 |
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 03/14/2008
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| S 2-door coupe, manual | $17,475 | $16,381 | $650 |
|
|
|||
| S 2-door coupe, automatic | $18,550 | $17,454 | $650 |
|
|
|||
| S 2-door convertible, manual | $23,240 | $22,031 | $650 |
|
|
|||
| S 2-door convertible, automatic | $24,315 | $23,104 | $650 |
|
|
|||
| SE 2-door coupe, automatic | $20,525 | $19,538 | $650 |
|
|
|||
| SE 2-door convertible, automatic | $25,740 | $24,446 | $650 |
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
S
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), tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, interior air filter, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, vinyl upholstery, front bucket seats w/height adjustment, center console, folding rear seat (coupe), heated power mirrors w/turn signals, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, satellite radio, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, manual convertible top (convertible), cargo cover, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, 205/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels.
SE adds to S:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, power sunroof (coupe), upgraded sound system, power convertible top (convertible), heated washer nozzles, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
225/45HR17 tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Cold Weather Pkg.
|
||
|
S
|
$225
|
$199
|
|
Heated front seats, heated washer nozzles.
|
||
|
|
||
Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
Power sunroof
|
||
|
S coupe
|
$1,000
|
$883
|
|
Trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer
|
||
|
S, SE
|
$299
|
$239
|
|
Satellite radio delete
|
||
|
S (credit)
|
$-375
|
$-331
|
|
Rubber floormats
|
||
|
S, SE
|
$99
|
$64
|
|
|
||
Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
|
Rear spoiler
|
||
|
coupe
|
$479
|
$340
|
|
Convertible top boot
|
||
|
convertible
|
$299
|
$189
|
|
225/45R17 tires
|
||
|
S
|
$1,350
|
$1,175
|
|
|
||
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Volkswagen New Beetle 2-door coupe | Volkswagen New Beetle 2-door convertible |
| Wheelbase, in. | 98.8 | 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 | 3153 |
| 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 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.5 /151 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 150 @ 5000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 170 @ 3750 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed manual | 20/28 |
| 6-speed automatic | 20/29 |
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 coupe | 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/unlimited | -- |
| 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
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Volkswagen New Beetle Full Review
7.
8.
9.
Car Buying Resources
Vehicle History Report
Locate a Dealer
Sell Your Car
Powered by:
-
MAKE -
CATEGORY
Subcompact Car
Compact Car
Midsize Car
Large Car
Premium Midsize Car
Premium Large Car
Sporty/performance Car
Premium Sporty/performance Car
Minivan
Full-size Van
Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Compact Pickup Truck
Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Premium Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Pickup Truck
Premium Compact Car
Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Exotic Car
