2012 Volkswagen Beetle Review from edmunds.com

What Edmunds Says The completely redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is a little less cute, a lot more functional, but still unmistakably a Beetle.

Pros Unique styling; high-class interior; capable handling and comfortable ride; well-equipped; more space than kitschy competitors.

Cons Inefficient and unrefined base engine; less space than more sensible competitors. What's New for 2012

The Volkswagen Beetle has been completely redesigned for 2012, and

ditches the "New" from its name despite actually being new for the

first time in a decade. For now, it is available in a coupe body style

only.

Introduction

The last "new" Volkswagen Beetle pioneered the automotive retro

trend when it debuted way back for 1998. Thanks to distinctive styling

and little touches like a flower vase on the dash, the New Beetle was

an immediate hit with younger buyers and Baby Boomers alike. But

that homage to the 1960s lasted so long without any changes that it

eventually became an homage to the 1990s. In a way, the New Beetle

has been a retro version of itself in its waning years. So it's with

welcome relief that Volkswagen has introduced the redesigned 2012

Volkswagen Beetle.

An entirely new model based on the most recent mechanical

underpinnings from the redesigned VW Golf, the 2012 Beetle is a car

that's a little less cute but a lot more functional. At first glance, it

resembles a New Beetle that's been squashed from above. (And, yes,

the word "New" has been exorcised, so you won't be reading about the

new New Beetle). Indeed, the redesigned car is longer, wider and

lower. This not only gives the Beetle more classic proportions, but it

also provides for more legroom and a bigger trunk, not to mention a

more natural position of the driver that dispenses with the previous

package's unused space on top of the dashboard.

The interior design has been redone as well to be modern without

losing the Beetle heritage. The upright dashboard has an available

drop-down glovebox (dubbed kaeferfach, or "Beetle bin," in homage to

the original), and it is color-keyed to the exterior as a means of adding

a welcome splash of personality. The design might not be as retro as

the Mini Cooper, but then neither are its interior controls, and this is

definitely a good thing. In fact, the Beetle gets the same sensible

electronics features and control interface that you see elsewhere in the

VW lineup, including Bluetooth, iPod and a navigation system.

Mechanically, the 2012 VW Beetle is mostly comprised of bits and

pieces from the Golf. The unrefined and inefficient five-cylinder base

engine is an unfortunate hand-me-down, while the Beetle Turbo's

spirited and efficient four-cylinder is a genetic blessing from the Golf

GTI. The Turbo also features a suspension setup similar to the GTI, a

calibration that gives it a good balance between slick handling and a

refined ride. The base Beetle's suspension is borrowed from the VW

Jetta and is less sophisticated, but it gets the job done.

In total, the redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle feels like the

welcome return of an old friend. It has the traditional look that will

appeal to the Beetle faithful, but sports a visual modernity that should

attract new buyers into the Beetle fold (or at least reacquire those who

lost interest during the New Beetle's lengthy reign). It still isn't as

functional as otherwise upscale small cars like the Ford Focus or the

Volkswagen Golf, but compared to other high-fashion compacts like

the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500, the Beetle boasts an actually usable

backseat and trunk. So the Beetle is back, and yes, it's better than

ever.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is a two-door, four-passenger hatchback

available in Beetle, 2.5L Beetle and Beetle Turbo trim levels.

The base Beetle comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated

mirrors, full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, a

leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery,

a trip computer and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player

and an auxiliary audio jack. The 2.5L Beetle adds heated windshield

washer nozzles, heated and height-adjustable front seats (with lumbar

adjustment), leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, a second glovebox,

floor mats, Bluetooth and an iPod interface.

The Sunroof package adds a panoramic sunroof, keyless ignition/entry,

a multifunction steering wheel, a front center armrest, an upgraded

trip computer, satellite radio, a touchscreen audio interface and a six-

CD changer. The Sunroof, Sound & Navigation package adds the above

package plus 18-inch wheels, a navigation system integrated into the

touchscreen interface and a premium Fender audio system with a

subwoofer.

The Beetle Turbo additions to the 2.5L Beetle's equipment include 18-

inch wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, sport seats, Turbo-specific cloth

upholstery and alloy pedals. The Sunroof and Sound package adds the

same items as the 2.5L's Sunroof package along with the Fender audio

system and shift paddles (when equipped with the DSG transmission).

The Turbo's Sunroof, Sound and Navigation System adds a navigation

system to the above package along with leather upholstery. Bi-xenon

headlamps and 19-inch wheels can be added to this package. A sport-

tuned suspension is optional on all Turbo models. VW will also be

offering an array of customizing dealer-sourced accessories, such as

exterior graphics, themed badges and special retro wheels.

Powertrains and Performance

Standard on the base and 2.5L Beetle models is a 2.5-liter five-

cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of

torque. Every Beetle is front-wheel drive. A five-speed manual

transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic transmission is

optional on all but the base model. Estimated EPA fuel economy is 22

mpg city/29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with the automatic,

which is mediocre for a car this size.

The 2012 VW Beetle Turbo gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder

that produces 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is

standard and a six-speed automated manual (known as DSG) is

optional. Fuel economy is actually better than the base five-cylinder at

22 mpg city and 30 mpg combined. That's quite good considering the

added performance, though a Mini Cooper S is still about 5 mpg

better. Both Beetle models can be partial-zero-emissions vehicles

(PZEV) certified in states with California emissions standards.

Safety

Every 2012 Volkswagen Beetle comes standard with traction and

stability control, antilock disc brakes, front side airbags and side

curtain airbags.

Interior Design and Special Features

The 2012 VW Beetle has a cabin that draws design inspiration from the

original flower-power model, yet includes the same features, controls

and construction of modern Volkswagens. The cutesy flower vase,

expansive dash and cramped backseat of the '90s-era New Beetle are

things of the past, yet this next-generation Beetle still has plenty of

character. The trim that runs across the dash and doors is painted the

same color as the exterior, while the Turbo gets secondary dash-top

gauges and available two-tone seats.

It's a pretty cool passenger environment, and unlike a Mini Cooper, it

doesn't suffer for its coolness with head-scratching and/or frustrating

ergonomics. The optional navigation system is easy to use, though its

small screen limits usefulness. The premium Fender sound system, on

the other hand, is well worth the extra price and provides impressive

sound quality.

Despite its lower roof line, the 2012 Beetle still provides plenty of

room for both the heads and legs of even tall drivers. The backseat is

also significantly more spacious, though it's certainly not as roomy as

the related Volkswagen Golf. The 15.4-cubic-foot trunk is actually

bigger than the Golf's with the 50/50 split-folding seats raised, though

if you lower them, the Beetle only provides 29.9 cubes of maximum

space versus the Golf's 46 cubes.

Driving Impressions

How the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle drives largely depends on the engine

you choose. The base five-cylinder is respectably powerful, but it

sounds unrefined and gets disappointing fuel economy. With that

engine also comes a less sophisticated rear suspension that results in

less dynamic handling than the Turbo model. As a result, the five-

cylinder is the one to get if you simply want a Beetle at a lower price

and don't care much for how it drives.

The Beetle Turbo, on the other hand, is essentially a Volkswagen GTI with more interesting styling. Its turbocharged engine has plenty of punch, sounds great and gets better mileage than the disappointing base engine. The six-speed manual is quite possibly the most easily shifted do-it-yourself transmission around, while the sophisticated DSG gearbox is a nice compromise for those who want the simplicity of an automatic with the performance and control of a manual. Handling, meanwhile, is also improved with the Turbo thanks to an independent rear suspension as well as bigger wheels and an optional sport-tuned suspension.