2019 Volkswagen Beetle Review

The resurrected Beetle of the late 1990s had all the right curves to foster fond memories from the 1950s. And over the past few decades, it has continued to offer a pleasing mix of style and practicality. Time, however, has once again caught up to the Beetle, and VW says 2019 will be the car's final production year.

The 2019 Beetle is a strong option for buyers interested in style and a bit of performance. It looks like nothing else on the road, and its standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine provides a satisfying amount of thrust. This year, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but the base model, as are blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

What's it lacking? Well, a bit of a modern touch, really. The infotainment interface, while easy to use, isn't as modern or stylish as systems that competitors offer. And while some safety features are standard, the Beetle doesn't offer a forward collision warning or adaptive cruise control system at all — both of which are becoming commonplace in rivals.

If your heart is set on the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle, we wouldn't dissuade you. But some options are higher up on our list. If you want a hatchback with some decent space for four adults, we'd steer you toward competitors such as the Mazda 3 or the Mini Cooper 4 Door Hardtop. Alternately, a Mazda Miata or a Toyota FR-S will provide a more thrilling driving experience.

The 2019 Volkswagen Beetle is a two-door hatchback that seats four people (the convertible Beetle is reviewed separately). There are four trim levels: S, SE, Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL. Every Beetle comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission available.

The base S comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, height-adjustable front seats, cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, a 5-inch touchscreen interface, one USB port, and an eight-speaker sound system that includes a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and a media player interface.

The SE adds 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, keyless ignition and entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, simulated leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a 6.3-inch touchscreen, HD and satellite radios, VW Car-Net App-Connect (adds various smartphone-integration apps, most notably Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) and VW Car-Net Security & Service emergency communications. The optional SE Premium package adds 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights and LED taillights, front and rear parking sensors, a Fender audio system, and a 6.3-inch touchscreen with navigation.

On top of the standard SE equipment, the Final Edition SE gets unique 17-inch wheels, special cloth upholstery with simulated leather inserts, some additional Beetle badges on the exterior and interior, and stainless steel pedals. The Final Edition SEL has all of the SE Premium's added elements plus 18-inch wheels, heated front sport seats and genuine leather upholstery.