2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Review tells all about the latest iteration of a modern classic.

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2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Review

The legendary Volkswagen Beetle was resurrected for 1998, but bore little resemblance to the original, other than its distinctive styling. Unlike the old Beetle, which featured a rear engine and rear wheel drive, the New Beetle is based upon the front engine and front wheel drive Volkswagen A platform - not to mention that the New Beetle has features never dreamed of when the first one was produced. A convertible option was added in 2003. In 2006, it received new bumpers, along with other styling changes, and the engine was upgraded to a 2.5-liter, 150 horsepower five-cylinder engine. The New Beetle won Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year in 1999.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

The Volkswagen New Beetle is a unique, fun little retro car with sharp handling and decent performance. However, the Beetle has poor gas mileage for a compact, and doubts surround its side impact scores. On the plus side, it has strong reliability and quality. Chances are, if you want one, you know it already, but, for what it's worth, we regard the New Beetle as good value for money.

What's New For 2007:

The New Beetle received minor styling updates for 2007, including new color options. New Black and Laser Green are now available, and the convertible can come in Sunflower or Gecko Green. The stitching on the leather seats has been revised, and the optional 16 inch wheels have a new finish. Also, the TDI diesel model has been dropped for 2007.

What is the Predicted Reliability:

The 2007 New Beetle hasn't been on the road long enough yet for long-term data to be compiled for it. However, the 2004 model received a five out of five reliability rating from Automotive Information Systems, despite AIS reports that it was prone to occasional water pump failures, which they estimate costs about $242 to repair. Owners have reported various electrical issues in all older models, including malfunctioning lights, alarms, and ignitions. All in all, expect the 2007 Beetle to have average to above average reliability. It comes with Volkswagen's basic four year/50,000 mile warranty.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

The 2007 New Beetle received four out of five stars overall in government frontal crash tests, five out of five for side impacts on the driver side, and three out of five for side impacts on the passenger side. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the New Beetle its highest "Good" rating for frontal and rear crashes, but its lowest "Poor" rating for side impacts. The Beetle comes loaded with standard safety features including anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, front-side airbags, full-length head curtain airbags, and active front head restraints. The convertible comes with a rollover protection system. The 2001-02 Beetle was recalled for a malfunctioning brake circuit that could start a fire, and the 2004 Beetle was recalled for possible air bag malfunctions.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Tight handling
+ Fun styling
+ Good safety and reliability record

Cons
- Cramped back seat
- Little cargo room
- Poor visibility

Head-To-Head Competition:

The Volkswagen Beetle is in a class all by itself thanks to its unique styling, which is why many owners bought one in the first place. However, the Mini Cooper, like the Beetle, is also a small car with unique styling. The Mini Cooper gets better gas mileage (36 hwy, 28 city vs. 31 hwy, 21 city), but costs $800 more. The Beetle has a larger, more powerful engine than the Mini Cooper, and though both are small, more cargo space. Another fun (if somewhat less stylish) option is the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which costs over $3,000 more than the stock Beetle, but comes as a convertible standard. But the Beetle includes a larger engine, traction control, and standard air conditioning. If you're looking for something a bit more practical, take a look at the Honda Civic LX, which costs about the same as the Beetle but comes with a standard automatic transmission and gets better gas mileage (40 hwy, 30 city vs. 31 hwy, 23 city). However, the Beetle has standard traction control and a bigger engine than the Civic.

What Others Are Saying:

"This little sweetheart's a first-rate performer. The entire vehicle is very tight; when you hit railway tracks or potholes at speed, there is virtually no shimmying or shaking." - About.com

"Roly-poly retro shape is built upon the bones of the previous-generation Golf. The only available engine is a five-cylinder that provides adequate power and nothing more. A long dashboard, tight rear quarters, and limited trunk space under the hatch are downsides." - Car and Driver

"My first impression was of driving a small truck, partly because of the great distance from the generous driver's position to the base of the windshield. The massively broad dash combines with the slope of the bonnet to make it difficult to see where the front ends." - The Auto Channel

Read more about the 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle at the Volkswagen manufacturer web site.

Published on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - Email to a friend

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