2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
in Affordable Four-Seat Convertibles
Based on analysis of 13 New-Beetle-Convertible reviews and test drives.
Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible ranks 7 out of 9 Affordable Four-Seat Convertibles. This ranking is based on our analysis of 13 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The New Beetle Convertible has charm, iconic exterior style and a solid ride, all within a competitive price range for its class. But the car is too small to be practical for many, and the cute design is showing its age -- it's a bit underpowered compared to more recently-designed competitors.
Overall
The Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible is a cute, retro-styled and able ride, with a recognizable shape and a convertible top for added fun. Auto reviewers like the convertible's easy-to-use top and secure handling. The interior, while tight on backseat room and cargo space, is attractive and functional. Reviewers find the New Beetle Convertible to be a "perfectly acceptable daily-driving substitute for a hardtop," reports Automobile Magazine. That's quite a change from the enthusiastic greeting the New Beetle received when it first hit the market -- but it's been eleven years without a major re-design, so much of the novelty has worn off. What we're left with is a cute, well-equipped, comfortable but very small drop-top without much to offer driving enthusiasts, made by a manufacturer with a spotty reliability history.
The New Beetle Convertible, introduced to the market in 2003, comes with a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine, which writers find a bit sluggish but respectable enough. Two trim levels are offered -- S and SE -- but most publications say that the S trim level is quite well-equipped, so upgrading to the premium SE isn't necessarily a great value. For the 2008 model year, it gets few notable changes. A tire-pressure monitoring system is now standard, and the options available on the two trim levels have shuffled a bit.
- "This is a fine blend of modern attributes and nostalgia. …. As cheap convertibles go, this one makes a lot of sense." -- Automobile Magazine
- "Despite its awesome sluggishness, the bug has managed to endear itself to us from the start." -- Car and Driver
- "Der Beetle combines German engineering and performance with exceptional fit and finish, and it represents a good value. As in other retromobiles, however, driver and passengers must make some concessions for style. Interior ergonomics are not as good those in a more traditional car." -- New Car Test Drive
- "Difficult to improve on this package for the price." -- Detroit News
- "It's not designed to leave other drivers in the dust. It's just a nice, happy ride." -- Washington Post
New-Beetle-Convertible Performance - 7.9 (Good)
The 2008 New Beetle Convertible offers a solid but fairly unexciting ride. Its five-cylinder engine isn't particularly powerful, but it has an easy assignment in moving such a light car. Most reviews call it adequate. None seem to call it thrilling. Car and Driver sums up the popular opinion when it says the bug is "very competent as a budget convertible." Our full New Beetle Convertible Performance Review gives specifics on the New Beetle's handling and braking. continue
New-Beetle-Convertible Exterior - 8.3 (Very Good)
People buy the 2008 VW New Beetle Convertible for its looks. It retains the classic styling of the cars that proliferated in the 1960's, but with an updated, more refined look. Even after more than a decade on the road, most reviewers still like it. The cloth top opens and closes manually, unless you check the box for the optional automatic top -- which, again, shows the bug's age. Most of its competition doesn't even offer a manually-operated roof. Check out the VW New Beetle Convertible Photo Gallery to see bugs with their tops up and down, or read our full Exterior Review for more. continue
New-Beetle-Convertible Interior - 7.3 (Good)
The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible's interior is hailed as attractive but lacks cargo room and can be a tight fit in the back, making it a strain to seat four passengers comfortably. Automobile Magazine calls the interior "typical VW, with high-quality materials predominant," but also notes that the dash is "one of the deepest ones going, with a large windshield almost impossibly distant from the driver. See the cabin in our New Beetle Convertible Photo Gallery, or continue to our full Interior Review to see the equipment list, including that famous bud vase. continue
New-Beetle-Convertible Safety - NA
The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible could do better in crash tests. Both the federal government and the insurance industry give it solid ratings for frontal impacts, but in side impact testing, the insurance industry has given the convertible bug its worst rating, even with side airbags. The government hasn't conducted a side impact crash test on a New Beetle Convertible. Continue with our full Safety Review to read about the list of safety features VW includes on every Beetle. continue
New-Beetle-Convertible Reliability - 4.0 (Mediocre)
The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The New Beetle Convertible comes with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty. continue