2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Review
2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Review
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Used New Beetle for sale
Appraise This CarVolkswagen New Beetle model years
Volkswagen New Beetle types
- Convertible
- Hatchback
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Nostalgic styling, standard flower vase.
Cons
- Dated platform, cramped rear-seat space, limited cargo room, subpar crash-test results.
What’s new
Apart from a few new colors, two new special editions and a standard boot cover for the convertible, the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle is unchanged.
Edmunds says
There's not much more to the aged 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle than meets the eye. If you like the way it looks, you may not mind the way it drives, but there are far better choices at this price point.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.38 per gallon for regular unleaded in Alaska.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Alaska
$232/mo for New Beetle 2.5L
New Beetle 2.5L
vs
$197/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle is the automotive equivalent of a Happy Meal -- long on packaging, short on substance. Of course, the latter isn't really surprising, given that the New Beetle debuted in (gulp!) 1998. For those of you keeping score at home, that means 2010 marks the New Beetle's 13th year of production, making it basically the oldest vehicle on the market outside of full-size vans. Still, the allure of the reborn Bug's retro styling may enable shoppers to overlook the functionally compromised cabin and 13-year-old chassis.
In fairness to the New Beetle's underpinnings, they were state-of-the-art in the late '90s, doing duty in the chic first-generation Audi TT and sophisticated fourth-generation Volkswagen Golf as well as the Bug. But there have been two generations of Golf since then, and the new-for-2010 version outclasses the similarly priced New Beetle in every way. Remarkably, a base two-door Golf hatchback is actually $1,000 cheaper than a base New Beetle coupe, despite offering 20 more horsepower, superior driving dynamics and a far roomier and more practical interior. There just isn't a rational argument to be made in the 2010 New Beetle's favor.
But perhaps you have some hazy but happy memories of Bug road trips from the '60s, and you know that no other car on the market will help you relive them like a New Beetle. If that rings true, then we can recommend the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle (or a certified used one) to you in good faith. However, if you're just looking for a good all-around compact coupe/hatchback or convertible, more advisable choices include the two-seat Mazda Miata, the Mini Cooper, the aforementioned Volkswagen Golf, the Volvo C30, and four-door-only offerings like the Mazda 3. Just because you're a fan of the Happy Meal box doesn't mean you'll like what's inside.
Performance & mpg
The front-wheel-drive 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle is powered by a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine that produces 150 hp and 170 pound-feet of torque. The coupe gets either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic, while the convertible is available with the automatic only. New Beetles sold in California and California-emissions states meet the PZEV (partial zero-emissions vehicle) standard.
Fuel economy ratings with the manual transmission are 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. The automatic transmission yields 1 extra mpg on the freeway.
Safety
All 2010 New Beetles come standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side-impact airbags and active front head restraints. Convertibles also feature a rollover protection system.
In government crash testing, the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle earned four out of five stars for front occupants in frontal impacts. In side-impact testing, the New Beetle received a perfect five-star rating for front passengers but only three stars for those in the rear. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the New Beetle a top score of "Good" for frontal-offset crash protection but a lowest "Poor" rating for side impacts.
Driving
The 2010 VW Beetle's 13-year-old foundation can still hack it with modern economy cars, providing decent handling along with a smooth, substantial-feeling ride. Trouble is, the New Beetle is positioned as a premium small car, and the competition in this segment quite simply puts the VW's driving dynamics to shame. Also, while the Bug's mandatory 2.5-liter engine is pleasantly torquey at lower engine speeds, it's an older version of the Golf's 2.5-liter five, which makes 20 more horsepower.
Interior
The New Beetle's turtle-like shape has predictable consequences for interior space. Rear passenger hip- and headroom are sorely lacking, and maximum cargo space is rated at 27 cubic feet in the hardtop -- a puny figure for what is technically a hatchback. Also, outward visibility is surprisingly poor on both the coupe and convertible. However, interior materials quality is still solid after all these years, and of course the New Beetle's cabin offers an industry first (and perhaps last): the dash-mounted flower vase.
On the convertible model, raising the top isn't exactly a one-touch operation, but it's simple enough to be called hassle-free. One button on the console takes it up or down, but there's a single manual latch you must pull and twist to secure it tightly to the windshield header.
2010 Volkswagen New Beetle models
The 2010 VW Beetle is offered as a coupe-styled hatchback or a convertible. The latter includes a power-folding soft top in either black or white that comes with a color-keyed boot. Both models come standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, full power accessories, air-conditioning, heated front seats, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a premium audio system with a CD/MP3 player, an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.
The only factory option on the coupe is a power sunroof, although 17-inch wheels, a rear spoiler and a trunk-mounted six-CD changer are available from the dealer. On the convertible, unique 17-inch wheels are a factory option.
The New Beetle Red Rock Edition available on the coupe adds special Red Rock paint, black-painted roof, 17-inch alloy wheels and foglamps. The Final Edition available on both body styles includes special Aquarius Blue paint (with white two-tone on convertible and a black-painted roof on the coupe), a 17-inch wheels, foglamps and on the convertible, a special white interior.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle.
5 star(63%)
4 star(22%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(5%)
27 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Good car with a few problems
JIm Goekler, 09/03/2010
2009 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
My wife and I purchased our 2009 VW beetle with anticipation of giving this car to our granddaughter when she turnes 16 in 2012. However a few problems changed our mind of giving this car to a begining driver. Changing Headlamp is very involved and not recommened for car owner. The procedure for this process is 8 pages long. Ground clearance is so close to the ground that 3 inches of … snow ripped front skid plate from the car. The skid plate is made from very thin plastic and is not much use. I also struck a small wooden object approx. 3 inches tall while moving less than 2 mph. while parking the car along side of the road. this knocked a hole in my transmition.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Some Folks Just Don't Understand
CZKid, 06/29/2010
2009 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
My bride wanted a convertible, and was about to graduate with a Doctorate of Ministry at 60+. we're both over 6', and we both needed a fun ride. I drove professionally for VW & Porsche in my college days while studying engineering, so I know my vehicles. If you want folks to smile when they see you, and enjoy comfort, reliability, and just plain fun while out get the convert. As a … former QC puke, I can find no problems with finish nor performance. My straight laced bride goes nuts driving the car because it's so much fun. So 2 can't fit in the back, so what? So it doesn't have a huge trunk.. so what? It has everything that two old folks needed and more. Try it, you'll like it
4.88 out of 5 stars
Love my bug!
Susan, 01/17/2010
2009 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
I owned 2 bugs back in the 70's in California. Wow, has the bug changed! This car is a joy to drive. I don't feel like I am sitting lower than other cars. I also have a truck and thought that the change to a bug would leave me feeling "low!" Not the case. I put the top down and my 100 pound mutt and my 150 pound St. Bernard go for a drive. Plenty of room for us all.
4.38 out of 5 stars
great little car
SRQFL, 10/28/2011
2010 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
i traded a 2004 Z4 for this new beetle convertible as i needed to have seating for 4 people.
yes i miss the Z, but this beetle is well built, solid and has the germanic driving characteristics i have grown to love.
the car has plenty of pep, easily seats 4 and has exceeded my expectations.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle, so we've included reviews for other years of the New Beetle since its last redesign.
2010 New Beetle Highlights
Convertible
2.5L PZEV
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $26,390 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $232/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 5.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the New Beetle include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
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