Volkswagen Beetle review (2011 - 2019)

What is the Volkswagen Beetle?

A masterstroke of marketing, or a cynical plundering of its past, VW created the Concept One back in the late 1990s, reviving and updating the classic Beetle looks and spinning it off the same underpinnings as the venerable Golf. It was a success, too, as while it brought no advantages over the car it was based on – save headroom up front and those oh-so-cutesy looks – the new Beetle found lots of willing buyers globally.

Its success was enough for Volkswagen to re-new it, the second version, sometimes referred as the A5, replacing that New Beetle in 2011. Like it, the Beetle was offered in both conventional hatchback form, or as the Beetle cabriolet, the cabriolet upping the retro-looks even further with its folding roof stacking up pram-style on the rear, rather then tucking away neatly between a flush cover.

The Beetle’s shape brought some compromises over the Golf on which it was based, notably it was only ever a three-door model (or two doors on the drop top) and the boot isn't big, or particularly easy to access, either. But for the type of people who it appeals to, these are unlikely to be deal-breaking factors.

The most obvious potential alternatives are cars like the MINI and Fiat 500, these two both unapologetically retro in their styling, while other cars like the Citroen DS3 or even Mazda’s MX-5 might be considered by those looking at the Beetle. Not a car to be pigeonholed, then, and that’s arguably a sizeable part of its appeal. Think of it, then, as the automotive equivalent of a glass bottle of Coke, instead of a can: unashamedly backward looking, functional and desirable, if not quite as practical as the more modern equivalent.

Over a near eight-year production run very little changed with the Beetle, with little more than some very subtle visual upgrades, some new engines and the inevitable updates to infotainment. In 2019, VW finally pulled the plug on the Beetle, turning its retro, rose-tinted styling gaze onto the ID Buzz, an all-electric offering that takes its cues from the brand’s famous Type 2, split-screen van.

How practical is it?

The Beetle's appeal isn’t as pragmatic as the Golf it’s based on. Beetles are bought on looks and charm, which means those seeking some family-friendly practicality should look elsewhere. It’s not that the VW is hopeless in this regard, simply that it doesn’t offer a great amount of room for the space it takes up on the road.

For starters, the standard hatchback is a three-door only, which means access to the rear seats is tricky, despite front seats that tilt and slide to aid entry.

Once your passengers have clambered through the tight gap there’s only a pair of seats, making this a strict four-seater. Legroom is adequate, but the sloping roofline means taller passengers are likely to suffer a cricked neck after anything other than a short hop in the back. Still, it’s fine for kids and there’s more room than in other retro rivals, such as the MINI and Fiat 500.

Those sitting up front are better served, with plenty of leg and headroom, while in typical VW style the driver gets a wide range of seat and wheel adjustment.

However, it doesn’t matter where you position the seat, visibility is only average as a result of thick pillars and shallow rear screen. The cabrio is worse still, especially with the roof down when the piled-up fabric covering pretty much obliterates your rear view.

On the plus side, there’s loads of handy storage. Not only are there two gloveboxes, there are also large door bins that’ll hold 1.5-litre bottles, plus numerous trinket trays. Like its predecessor, however, it's possible to have a body coloured dashboard, although there’s no dashboard-mounted vase to stick a flower in….

The hatchback opening is narrow, but the 310-litre boot capacity is significantly larger than those of direct rivals, although smaller than the Golf it is based on. Fold the split/folding rear bench as the space extends to a 905-litres, although the seatbacks don’t lie completely flat.

Once again, the cabrio is less versatile, featuring a small opening and a cramped 225-litre load bay. However, for most buyers of this car load-lugging will be less important than sun worshipping, and here the VW scores with a hood that can be lowered in just nine seconds and at speeds of up to 31mph.

What's it like to drive?

Being based on the Golf means the Beetle is substantially different from its multi-million selling original relation, not least because the engine is in the front, under the bonnet rather than under the rear. It’s water-cooled, too, instead of air-cooled like the original, but where it matters, in looks, there’s an undeniable familial link to that famous ‘people’s car’.

However, being based on the Golf means that it drives much like the Golf it’s based on, which on the whole is no bad thing. It’s not an exciting car to drive, and it’s certainly not as fun as a MINI, but it is composed and capable and more relaxing on long journeys.

The steering is fairly hefty and lacks feel, but it’s accurate and with decent grip the Beetle can be threaded through a series of corners with confidence.

There’s surprisingly little body roll too, helping the car feel taut and composed, even if there are little in the way of thrills to be had - although the flagship 217bhp 2.0-litre TSI has a decent turn of speed, zipping from 0-62mph in a claimed 6.7 seconds.

At low speeds the ride feels a little firm, but it smoothes out the faster you go, making the Beetle more comfortable than both the MINI and Fiat 500. Refinement is acceptable too, with only a little wind noise and high speed, although not enough to deny the VW decent long distance cruising credentials. Even the cabrio does a good job here, its insulated fabric roof fitting snugly and only causing a commotion when travelling over the motorway limit.

In terms of engines, there’s a wide range to choose from, with all proving decently punchy and refined. For many the entry-level turbocharged 105bhp 1.2-litre will provide all the poke they need, while the diesels have muscular mid-range torque and are supremely efficient. A five or six-speed manual gearbox is standard on most models, with both providing a satisfyingly precise shift action.

There’s also the option of a seven-speed twin-clutch DSG automatic that’s smooth enough but can get a little wrong-footed at low speeds, leading to the odd jerky gear change when moving away from junctions or roundabouts.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

Although not exactly overflowing with standard kit, even in its most basic form the Beetle has all the essentials. Features such as air-con, electric windows, remote central locking and Bluetooth connection all feature, but alloy wheels don’t. For these you’ll need to trade up to the design, which also adds a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel and trip computer among other upgrades.

For the R-Line and Dune models you get much the same kit, but a sporty or rugged off-road look respectively. There are also numerous special editions to keep an eye out for, each offering either more kit or bespoke styling cues.

Optional extras were fairly limited, with the most obvious upgrades being the panoramic glass roof on the hatchback, different alloy wheel options and upgraded infotainment. Speaking of which, while the Beetle did get a touchscreen system, it’s fairly basic by today’s standards with a small screen and limited features. Sat-nav was an option, but the graphics and maps looked dated now, and the address look-up isn’t as comprehensive. Happily, it’s fairly straightforward to upgrade to an aftermarket unit with the latest features.

Under its retro skin, the Beetle is actually based on the same platform as the MK5 and MK6 Golf, which means it can’t rival newer rivals when it comes to safety kit. There are multiple airbags and electronic stability control, but autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control were never offered.

Volkswagen Beetle running costs

As a car that stopped rolling down the production lines in 2019, before more accurate WLTP fuel economy testing was implemented you need to take the official combined consumption figures attributed to the Beetle with a sizeable pinch of salt. Unsurprisingly, it’s the diesel choices that’ll return the best mpg, both officially, and in reality, with the lower-powered TDI claimed to cover as many as 65 miles to every gallon, and the higher-powered TDI quoted at around 58mpg. You’ll be doing well if you get anywhere near that, with daily driving likely to be more in the low-to-mid 40s, improving slightly on journeys where you’re on a long, steady cruise.

The petrol engines don’t do as well as that, although if you’re urban-bound and more likely to be doing shorter journeys, they’ll be more suitable. That's because you’ll not have to worry about the particulate filters in the diesel’s exhaust clogging up, which happens if you don't regularly run the car at motorway speed for an extended period of time, and can cause engine damage. You might achieve consumption in the mid-to-late 30s, if, as is likely, you’re not in a hurry. The exception here is that 2.0-litre turbo flagship model, which will consume a lot more, and more again if it’s fitted with the automatic gearbox.

Insurance on all should be palatable, the Beetle unlikely to attract high premiums, or thefts, although the Turbo is in group 27. Servicing it shouldn’t be expensive, either, because it’s a Golf underneath, and any VW dealer or independent garage will be more than capable of working on it, so shop around for the best rates. Road tax for all will be £150 annually, too, again keeping the running costs sensible.

Volkswagen Beetle reliability

With the proven mechanicals from the Golf mk6 and the rest of the VW line-up under its curvaceous bodywork, there’s a reasonable expectation that the Beetle will be reliable. Indeed, the original Beetle is largely attributable to the company’s unenviable reputation here, however, true it is in reality.

Volkswagen scores commendably, if not quite as admirably as you might anticipate, on customer satisfaction surveys, typically being among the top third of manufacturers. Things that go wrong tend to be niggling electrical gremlins, rather than catastrophic mechanical maladies, but there have been problems with VW and Audi DSG automatic gearboxes.

Certainly the build quality inside looks and feels good, with the interior trims standing up to daily abuse very well indeed. There have been some problems with window regulators, and there have been a few recalls during the Beetle’s production run, so it’s always worth taking it to a VW dealer to check if any necessary recall work has been undertaken, which isn’t always the case if it’s been serviced outside the official VW dealer network. The nature of the Beetle means it’s unlikely to have been driven particularly hard, with owners looking after them, so you should be able to buy a used one with confidence, and a fully stamped service book. The last ones, which should still be on VW forecourts, should come with the balance of the manufacturer's warranty, too.