Consumer Reports Reviews the Volkswagen New Beetle

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The Volkswagen New Beetle is a 2-door hatchback, convertible offered in a 2dr Cpe DSG 2.0T Turbo w/Sun/Sound/Nav, 2dr Cpe Man 2.0L TDI, 2dr Cpe Man 2.0L TDI w/Sun, 2dr Cpe DSG 2.0L TDI w/Sun, 2dr Cpe Man 2.0L TDI w/Sun/Sound/Nav, 2dr Cpe DSG 2.0L TDI w/Sun/Sound/Nav, 2dr Cpe DSG 2.0L TDI, 2dr Cpe Man 2.5L, 2dr Cpe Auto 2.5L, 2dr Cpe Man 2.5L w/Sun, 2dr Cpe Auto 2.5L w/Sun, 2dr Cpe Man 2.5L w/Sun/Sound/Nav, 2dr Cpe Auto 2.5L w/Sun/Sound/Nav, 2dr Cpe Man 2.0T Turbo, 2dr Cpe DSG 2.0T Turbo, 2dr Cpe Man 2.0T Turbo w/Sun/Sound, 2dr Cpe DSG 2.0T Turbo w/Sun/Sound, 2dr Cpe Man 2.0T Turbo w/Sun/Sound/Nav, 2dr Conv DSG 2.0T w/Sound/Nav, 2dr Conv Man 2.0L TDI, 2dr Conv DSG 2.0L TDI, 2dr Conv Man 2.0L TDI w/Sound/Nav, 2dr Conv DSG 2.0L TDI w/Sound/Nav, 2dr Conv Auto 2.5L, 2dr Conv Auto 2.5L w/Tech, 2dr Conv Auto 2.5L w/Sound/Nav, 2dr Conv DSG 2.0T, 2dr Conv Man 2.0T w/Sound, 2dr Conv DSG 2.0T w/Sound, 2dr Conv Man 2.0T w/Sound/Nav, 2dr Cpe Man 2.5L Fender Edition, 2dr Cpe Auto 2.5L Fender Edition, 2dr Cpe Man 2.0T Turbo Fender Edition, 2dr Cpe DSG 2.0T Turbo Fender Edition and 2dr Conv Man 2.0T. The powertrains include 2.0-liter 4 turbo (200 hp), 2.0-liter 4 turbodiesel (140 hp) and 2.5-liter 5 (170 hp) engines, and 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, 6-speed manual and 6-speed sequential transmissions. It is Front wheel drive. EPA-rated fuel economy ranges from 22 mpg city to 31 mpg highway. The Beetle uses Regular fuel.

Competing models include Scion FR-S, Hyundai Veloster and Mini Cooper.

Last Model Reviewed: 2012

Reviewed Volkswagen New Beetles from Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports has placed the following models through over 50 tests at our test track:

  • 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L 5-cyl MT
  • 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle convertible GLS 4-cyl MT

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