Volkswagen Beetle

Name: 2003 Volkswagen Beetle
Brand: Volkswagen

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The New Beetle rides well and is fairly nimble The interior is spacious, quiet and comfortable, but the rear is very tight.

2003 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Volkswagen Beetle

vs. Similar Cars

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2003 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2003 Volkswagen Beetle

$ NA

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

$2,775 - $2,825

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Ford Focus

$2,925 - $4,150

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Civic

$2,975 - $4,900

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid

$ NA

EPA MPG 40 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Insight

$3,300

EPA MPG 65 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Hyundai Accent

$2,850 - $2,925

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Hyundai Elantra

$2,775 - $3,075

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Kia Rio

$2,850 - $2,875

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Kia Spectra

$2,725 - $2,750

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mazda Protege

$3,050 - $4,625

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mini Cooper

$3,075 - $3,375

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer

$2,850 - $11,050

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Nissan Sentra

$2,950 - $3,200

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Pontiac Vibe

$3,100 - $3,350

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Saturn Ion

$2,775 - $2,825

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Subaru Impreza

$3,025 - $5,225

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Corolla

$4,050 - $4,325

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Matrix

$3,500 - $4,200

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota Prius

$3,400

EPA MPG 49 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Volkswagen Golf

$3,075 - $4,375

EPA MPG 45 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Volkswagen Jetta

$2,825 - $4,550

EPA MPG 38 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

Features & Specs

2-door hatchback

convertible

2 front, 2 rear

Front

1.8-liter 4 turbo (180 hp)
1.8-liter 4 turbo (150 hp)
1.9-liter 4 turbodiesel (90 hp)
2-liter 4 (115 hp)

6-speed automatic
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2012-2019

2012 Redesign Year

The 2012 redesigned Beetle has fewer compromises and a roomier cabin. It drives decently but suffers from cost-cutting measures. While the ride is compliant, it's a bit unsettled. Handling is responsive but not sporty, and it becomes sloppy in demanding conditions. The standard five-cylinder engine is punchy but sounds gruff and unrefined. We got a less-than-stellar 26 mpg overall with the five-speed manual transmission. Turbocharged gas and diesel 2.0-liter engines are also available. Rear visibility is limited and the long clutch pedal travel and wide center console compromise the driving position. For 2018, a 2.0-liter turbo became standard, and the manual transmission was dropped. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert became standard on all trim lines for the 2019 model year--the Beetle’s final production run.

1998-2011

1998 Redesign Year

The New Beetle is a modern hatchback that bears a nostalgic family resemblance to the VW "Bug." In our tests, we found the car's ride to be good and its handling nimble. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder accelerates adequately but was noisy. A more economical diesel is also offered. The front seats are firm and supportive. The rear is cramped, though the seats fold for increased cargo space. The New Beetle has performed notably well in front crash tests but poorly in side tests. A quicker turbocharged model was added for 1999 and a convertible joined the line for 2003. A five-cylinder engine replaced the four-cylinder for 2006, and the turbocharged engine was dropped in 2007.