2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Review

Name: 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Review
Brand: Volkswagen
Price: 22999 USD

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 1.8T Dune Convertible Exterior. Options Shown.

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Used Beetle Convertible for sale

$22,999 - $26,990

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Volkswagen Beetle Convertible model years

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Stylish interior design
Turbocharged engine provides a nice mix of power and fuel economy
More practical than other high-style small cars

Cons

Awkward cargo hatch
More expensive than competitors

What’s new

For 2017, the Volkswagen Beetle receives a slight styling update for the front and rear bumpers as well as a new limited-edition #PinkBeetle. Trim levels have also been simplified.

Vehicle overview

The 2017 Volkswagen Beetle stakes out a pleasant middle ground among the few retro-themed convertibles that we consider its competition. It's stylish but also very functional and easy to drive. If you're seeking a fun retromobile, the VW Beetle should be on your short list.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 1.8T S 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A) 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 $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$136/mo

$157/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

We're now well into the second generation of the Beetle's revival and the lineup is just as strong as it's ever been. The more typical trim levels remain, bolstered by a few models to keep things interesting. The new #PinkBeetle (not associated with breast cancer awareness organizations) brings a funky fuchsia paint job and quaint plaid interior and the returning Dune harkens back to the Baja Bugs of the 1970s.

Thankfully, the charm and personality of the Beetle don't mean you need to sacrifice elsewhere. It's plenty capable, comfortable and convenient. The bigger concern may be price, as the Beetle does cost a bit more than some of its other nouveau-retro rivals, but it likely won't be so great as to kill a deal. With six available trim levels, there's probably one in your budget.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

3.5 / 5

Trim tested

2016 Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T Dune (turbo 1.8L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | FWD)

NOTE: This review utilizes information and impressions of a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T Dune hatchback and a 2014 Beetle Convertible R-Line (which is no longer available). Differences between these test vehicles and the typical 1.8T Beetle convertible are likely related to handling and ride comfort, but our other findings remain broadly applicable.

Scorecard

Overall	3.5 / 5
Driving	3.5
Comfort	4.0
Interior	3.0
Utility	3.0
Technology	3.0

Driving

3.5

Acceleration is good whether you're pulling away from a stoplight or looking to overtake a semi on the freeway, but braking effort is higher than anticipated because the brakes aren't quick to respond. The Dune's raised ride height and comfort-oriented suspension tuning come at the cost of handling.

Acceleration

4.0

The engine output numbers may not be all that impressive, but the 1.8-liter has plenty of power nonetheless. You don't have to floor the pedal to force a downshift, and its 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds is quick for the class.

Braking

3.0

There's a lack of initial braking force that makes it difficult to slow the Beetle smoothly. There's also a lot of pedal travel, so stops require more force than you might expect. Still, you can't argue with the excellent stopping distance from 60 mph of 115 feet.

Steering

3.0

Steering effort is a bit heavier than expected, making the Beetle feel more controllable at highway speeds than its rivals, yet very light when maneuvering at slow speeds. The thin-rimmed steering wheel feels a little flimsy, though.

Handling

3.0

The Dune's raised suspension feels nice around town, controlling the Beetle well at low speeds. On longer sweeps or around tight corners, there's a noticeable amount of body roll. This might sap your confidence to drive the Beetle quickly when the road gets twisty.

Drivability

3.5

The Beetle does most things right and is easy to drive. Its small footprint and the Dune's standard rearview camera and front and rear sensors make it extremely easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

Comfort

4.0

Though Volkswagen would like you to think of this as a modern-day Baja Bug, the Beetle Dune is really about comfort. The seats hug you without being oppressive, and the suspension dispatches road imperfections without transmitting any harshness to the driver. Exterior noise is limited.

Seat comfort

3.5

The seat bottom isn't long enough to provide taller drivers with outstanding thigh support. Otherwise, the seats feel supportive and comfortable, and the cloth inserts offer good cushioning. Adjustable lumbar support isn't standard in this class, so we're happy the Beetle offers it.

Ride comfort

4.5

Even though the Dune's raised suspension doesn't do much for handling, it certainly seems to make this Beetle ride well. Impacts are well-controlled, and the Beetle never feels jittery. This would be a great road-trip car.

Noise & vibration

3.0

At highway cruising speeds, the engine is relatively low on the rev range and is fairly quiet, and road noise is pleasantly muted. We detected significant amounts of wind noise around the fabric top, however.

Interior

3.0

The Beetle feels airy and bright thanks to the large windows, and the roof is high enough for a pair of tall adults in the front. Visibility out the back is hampered by a small window surrounded by the convertible top.

Ease of use

4.0

Controls are logically placed, clearly labeled and within reach of front seat occupants. Climate controls are simple, and steering wheel buttons are easy to operate without having to change your grip much.

Getting in/getting out

3.0

The fairly large doors make getting into and out of the Beetle easy, but their size can limit how far they can be opened in a parking lot.

Roominess

3.0

There's plenty of headroom for those in the front, although two adults are likely to brush elbows. The rear seats are comfortable, but minimal amounts of leg- and headroom diminish their long-distance usefulness. Shoulder room is also narrowed by the convertible top.

Visibility

2.0

Visibility forward and out the side glass is good. The view over your shoulder, however, is blocked by the soft top's thick rear roof pillar and relatively small rear window. Fortunately, a rearview camera is standard.

Quality

3.0

There was a slight creaking noise coming from the dash in our tester, but otherwise build quality was solid. Interior materials looked and felt fine but weren't class-leading. Its hard, body-colored plastic trim was an acquired taste.

Utility

3.0

There isn't a lot of space for your personal items in the cabin, but the cargo space should be able to accommodate plenty of your larger items. Overall, the Beetle is about average in this category.

Small-item storage

3.0

Gimmicky door nets are a poor substitute for actual cubbies, and the armrest bin doesn't hold much. But there's a good amount of space under the center stack.

Cargo space

2.0

The small 7.1-cubic-foot trunk has a small, upright opening suitable for a couple of bags but little else. Unfortunately, the top-hinged trunk hatch makes loading awkward. A very narrow pass-through behind the rear seats will help with longer items.

Technology

3.0

As far as infotainment systems go, the VW Beetle's isn't cutting-edge, but it is relatively easy to use and the screen resolution is sharp enough to read at a quick glance.

Audio & navigation

3.0

The touchscreen utilizes a nice mix of physical and digital controls. It's easy to use, but it's a couple inches too small by contemporary standards.

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible models

The 2017 Volkswagen Beetle is a two-door convertible that is available in six trim levels, starting with the 1.8T S and climbing to the 1.8 SE, 1.8 SEL, 1.8T Classic, 1.8T Dune and a new #PinkBeetle limited edition. All of these models are powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (170 horsepower, 184 pound-feet of torque) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels.

For the most part, successive trim levels add more comfort and technology features, but even the base 1.8T S comes with a solid list of standard items.

Standard feature highlights for the base 1.8T S trim include 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, a power-folding fabric top with a glass rear window, a rear spoiler, keyless remote entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, imitation-leather upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated front seats, 50/50-split folding rear seats, a rearview camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, color-adjustable ambient interior lighting, a 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, and an eight-speaker CD player with auxiliary and USB input.

The 1.8T Classic adds 17-inch wheels, cloth and imitation-leather upholstery, VW Car-Net smartphone integration, a 6.3-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, and HD and satellite radio. This model does not come with the ambient lighting.

The 1.8T SE includes the ambient lighting, keyless entry and ignition and full imitation-leather upholstery, but it does not include the navigation system. The 1.8 SEL trim adds 18-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone automatic climate control, the navigation system and a Fender premium audio system.

The limited edition #PinkBeetle is appointed similarly to the 1.8 SE and is only available in a metallic fuchsia exterior color. Other additions include 18-inch wheels xenon headlights, LED running lights and taillights, and unique plaid upholstery. The auto-dimming mirror is not included. The 1.8T Dune model is also similar to the 1.8 SE trim but adds 18-inch wheels, unique exterior styling elements, LED taillights, front and rear parking sensors, a slightly raised suspension, and cloth- and imitation-leather-upholstered sport seats. It does not include the keyless entry and ignition, however.

Some features are available as options on supporting trim levels.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible.

5 (70%)

4 (18%)

3 (3%)

2 (6%)

1 (3%)

4.5

33 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Beetle Convertible Defect

lovehatebeet, 05/13/2015

2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 1.8T 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

My dream car, a 2014 VW Beetle Convertible soon became a nightmare. Noisy, inconsistent, & unpredictable, it spent way too much time in the Service Department than on the road. After they claimed it was fixed by VW Engineers, I was driving down HWY 111 when the convertible control panel fell out of the roof nearly hitting me in the face as it swung back-and-forth almost causing an …

Head rests too limiting

Faith, 09/25/2016

2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 1.8T w/Sound, Navigation, Prod. End 12/14 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Haven't had it long but so far I love it. Fun to drive with lots of spunk. The cons are: climate control is either too much or not enough. Doesn't seem to be much of a middle road; Major issue with visibility. The head rests in back present a big blind spot when backing out. Of course the camera helps but can't give visual past each sides limits. I don't see any way around this without …

Classy,sex and spunky

Becca T, 05/22/2019

2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 1.8T w/Technology 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I have a 2015 Volkswagen Convertible Beetle. I LOVE this car. I travel for work and am on and off the expressways. I often have to parallel park in Chicago and fit into tight spaces. I get around 35 miles to the gallon on expressway. And...don't get me started on the excitement of the turbo power getting on the expressway. This is by far the best car I have ever owned. Let's talk …

VW Overestimate Gas Mileage

Michael Belmont, 12/29/2017

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 1.8T SE 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I'm getting a combined average gas mileage of only a little over 23 mpg. That's well below the combined average on the sticker of 27 mpg. My 2009 MINI convertible that traded in was get about 27 mpg combined with the top down and air conditioning on. The top up and heat on on the VW hasn't improved mpg. I'd give a 5 star rating with better gas mileage.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, so we've included reviews for other years of the Beetle Convertible since its last redesign.

See all 33 reviews of the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

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2017 Beetle Convertible Highlights

Trim:

1.8T S

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,725
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$136/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	7.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Beetle Convertible models:

VW Car-Net: Includes automatic crash notification and roadside assistance as well as some convenience features built into the smartphone app.
Blind Spot Monitor: Alerts you if there's a car in your blind spot and includes rear cross-traffic alert, too.
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System: Automatically applies the brakes in the event of a collision, reducing the likelihood of a secondary impact.