Key Aspects of the Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle needs little to no introduction. “The Bug,” as it’s fondly known by many, is one of the best-selling cars of all time. Despite its inherent weaknesses, there are several reasons for its popularity: a unique design, solid build, punchy powertrain, reliability, and zippy handling. The Beetle is available in two body types: Coupe and Convertible. If you’re looking to purchase either, here are some aspects of the vehicle you should know.
Design
The iconic design of the Volkswagen Beetle Coupe has evolved over the decades, but you still find the buggy, circular theme all over. The wheel arches, headlamps, and tail lamps mirror the overall curved theme to give the Beetle a unique presence amongst other vehicles.
Interiors
The Volkswagen Beetle’s interior is an instant callback to all things Volkswagen. The soft-touch materials on every panel and the breezy yet simple dashboard design are present in the Beetle too. You can customize the interior by choosing between two popular options: an edgy all-black theme or a more upbeat two-tone beige-black trim. The car has plenty of occupant space, with both the front and back rows offering good legroom and headroom. If there’s a catch, it’s the curved glass in the rear windshield that offers poor reverse visibility for the driver.
Powertrain and performance
The Volkswagen Beetle comes in a single petrol engine option only. Although frequent talks of a diesel powertrain surround every Beetle launch, the vehicle is unlikely to get one, considering past trends. The 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol produces 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque and is powerful for a car of its size and weight. This power is sent to the front wheels through a slightly slow-shifting six-speed automatic gearbox. Both the Coupe and Convertible offer similar levels of performance. The Beetle is fuel-efficient and gives 26 and 33 miles to the gallon in cities and highways, respectively.
Ride and handling
Like most VWs, the Beetle has a direct and responsive steering system. This makes the car surprisingly (considering its bumbling body shape) agile around corners. The steering is decently weighted around corners, and the Beetle’s suspension irons out most road bumps easily. This gives the car a pliant ride. You can certainly enjoy a drive on twisty roads.
Safety tech
Both Volkswagen Beetle variants have many safety features, such as six airbags, LATCH child seat anchor points, a crash-optimized front end, automatic door locks with the child lock, three-point safety harnesses, and remote entry with a dedicated panic button. Additionally, the vehicle has an intelligent crash response system, automatic post-collision braking, tire pressure monitoring, anti-slip regulation, engine brake assist, hydraulic brake assist, electronic brake pressure distribution, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) system, and electronic stability control (ESC).
Other advanced features
Apart from safety features, the Beetle offers keyless access, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated leather seats with a diamond stitching pattern (optional), a leather-wrapped steering wheel (optional), customizable ambient lighting, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a sunroof, and several other features.
Price
The Volkswagen Beetle Coupe is available in the price range of $20,895 and $25,995. The Convertible can range between $30,200 and $33,500. As you can expect, these prices are dynamic. The steep price is somewhat offset by the vehicle’s sheer range of safety, convenience, and handy entertainment features.