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2010 Volkswagen New Beetle

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Overview

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2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle remains a popular choice among those seeking a less conventional mode of transportation. Touting a shape based on the original Beetle (popularly known as the "Bug"), the New Beetle's easily recognizable shape results in the most lop-sided interior dimensions of any car in its class. While the sloping hatch creates a nearly unusable rear seat, the arching dome roof provides an unbeatable 38 inches of front headroom, making the New Beetle the friend of the tall and very tall. Unfortunately, the roof design also creates some massive blind spots around the windshield pillars. This is the final year for the New Beetle (at least in this form) and VW is commemorating it with a limited production special edition model offered in just one color: Aquarius Blue.

You'll Like This Car If...

The most significant aspect of the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle is its familiar and friendly shape but, as a bonus, it is actually quite comfortable as a daily driver as well. Even taller drivers will appreciate the quantity of front-seat headroom.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you need on occasion to carry four adult passengers, the New Beetle's rear seats offer very little headroom and the cargo area is tiny. The instrument panel configuration takes some getting used to as it spans the considerable distance between the windshield and the driver and front-seat passenger.

What's New for 2010

In its final year, the 2010 New Beetle is reduced to a single trim and offers only a few options.

Driving the New Beetle

Driving Impressions Because it's based on an aging Golf platform, the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle's ride and handling attributes appropriately feel about a decade behind the times. The 2.5-liter engine delivers acceptable...

acceleration and good fuel economy, but is not as much fun to drive as the old turbocharged models that once populated the lineup. On the road the Beetle offers an extremely smooth ride and handles well under normal driving conditions. Push it a little harder and its relatively soft suspension and 16-inch all-season tires begin to show their limitations. If you desire better handling, your VW dealer can upgrade the car to optional 17-inch alloy wheels and stiffer springs designed by VW, which will make it a bit more responsive.

Favorite Features

Blue Instrument Lighting
Cornflower blue lighting in the instrument cluster is easy on the eyes both night and day.

Headroom
Because the driver's and passenger seat sit in the very center of the car, the arching roofline and height-adjustable seats create phenomenal headroom, suiting even the tallest occupants.

2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Details

Interior

In order to create the New Beetle's shape, the windshield and dashboard have been partially extended over the engine compartment, creating a tremendously deep dash and a large blind spot where the front pillar meets the side mirror. The New Beetle's seats are some of the most comfortable we've experienced, with excellent back, side and thigh support for both driver and passenger. The trademark domed exterior shape provides ample front-seat headroom, but somewhat less for rear-seat passengers.

Exterior

The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle mimics what is probably the best-known automotive shape in the world, the original Beetle. Considering the price, the New Beetle is remarkably detailed and offers excellent crash-test results and projected accident-repair costs. The New Beetle's low ground clearance may be a problem in areas that see deep snow or have poorly paved roads.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle includes a 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), electronic stabilization program, air conditioning, rear defroster, illuminated remote keyless entry, key-operated open/close feature for power windows and optional sunroof, dual heated power mirrors with built-in turn signals, heated front seats, heated washer nozzles, front side-impact airbags, AM/FM stereo with MP3-compatible CD player and an auxiliary input jack, SIRIUS Satellite Radio (limited free trial period),,tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power locks, 16-inch alloy wheels and remote hatch release.

Optional Equipment

Options for 2010 are limited to a power sunroof, an iPod connection, a rear spoiler, upgraded wheels and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

Under the Hood

The 2.5-liter 20-valve five-cylinder provides the kind of low-end torque needed to move the New Beetle with some authority. Though not as quiet or vibration free as similar-size engines from Honda and Toyota, the 2.5 is nevertheless a good match to the New Beetle's size and weight.

2.5-liter in-line 5
150 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
170 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 (manual), 20/29 (automatic)

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2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

3.7

Out of 5

Based on 955 Ratings for the 1998 - 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle models.

Review this car

Value

3.7/5

Quality

3.5/5
Reliability

3.7/5

Performance

4.0/5
Comfort

3.9/5

Styling

4.3/5

I love my car!

By chrissymarie (MD) on Friday, February 10, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 86,750

5 5.0

overall rating 5 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5

Pros: "fun to drive, safe, reliable, cute"

Cons: "the air conditioner needs to be recharged often"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The car drives like a dream. I've always wanted a beetle and now I have the best car out there. I recently was in an accident and the car protected me like a tank. It's great on gas and has really held up since I bought it 2 years ago!"

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