Safety - What the Auto Press Says
Despite its small package, the Beetle's class-competitive standard safety features and solid crash test ratings should instill confidence in prospective owners.
In government crash tests, the 2008 New Beetle earned four out of five stars for the driver and front passenger's protection in frontal offset crashes. In side crashes, the Beetle earned five stars for the front seats and three out of five stars for the backseat occupant protection. The Beetle also has a four-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the New Beetle as "Good," the highest score, for frontal-offset crash protection, but issued a rating of "Poor" for side-impact protection.
Accident Avoidance
The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes and stability control. The brakes are equipped with a brake pad wear indicator that informs the driver of worn-away brake pads. However, Kelley Blue Book and others find the interior oddly shaped, hindering visibility and creating large blind spots.
Crash Protection
The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle is fitted with front seat safety belt pretensioners, side air bags for front occupants, full-length head curtain air bags and active front head restraints. The New Beetle also has Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, which makes it easier for parents to install a child safety seat the proper way. The Beetle's collapsible steering column is designed to collapse upon impact, protecting the driver from further injury from impact.
