The iconic VW Beetle has been around for an incredibly long time in its current incarnation. Debuting in 1998, the New Beetle can hardly be called "new" any longer. While there are rumors of an extreme makeover for the 2010 year model, buyers today must be content with the current offering from VW. The VW New Beetle offers even fewer benefits now than it did when it debuted years ago, though many pieces of optional equipment are now standard.
The sporty 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle convertible is designed to compete against vehicles like the Honda Civic and the Saturn Astra, though neither of these is available as a convertible, one of the few areas where the Beetle outranks a few other cars in its class.
The Beetle makes use of a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, which puts out insufficient power for sporty driving. The vehicle is available only with an automatic transmission, while the coupe comes with the choice of automatic or manual transmission. The convertible version is also available with standard 16-inch allow wheels, or specialty 17-inch alloys wheels not available for the coupe. The turbocharged engine has been dropped from the lineup for the new model year.
2009 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible Performance
The Beetle has long been marked by a lack of top end performance; however, the torque produced by the 155-hp 5-cylinder engine does get it off the mark in decent time. The engine also provides sufficient power for around-town driving. The area in which the Beetle convertible suffers the most is in highway driving, where it lacks sufficient power for quick passing.
The steering in the 2009 New Beetle convertible is responsive and quick, enabling the vehicle to feel relatively spry on its feet. This makes driving in town or on curving back roads an enjoyable experience. Additionally, the vehicle's solid construction gives it a feeling of stability, with little body lean noticed in even moderate to hard turning. However, drivers looking for a sporty driving experience should seek other options; the convertible remains slow and un-sprightly.
Braking on the convertible Beetle is sufficient, though not powerful. In addition, road noise can be a problem. However, the vehicle does not suffer unduly from engine noise, which is refined at almost all RPM levels. Of course, wind noise is omnipresent, due to the convertible top. That said, even with the top down, conversation does not need to be shouted to be understood.
2009 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible Interior
Unfortunately, the interior of the New Beetle convertible does not match the unique style of the exterior. While there is plenty of German engineering to be found, the overwhelming use of cheap plastic on the interior degrades the refinement of the vehicle. However, it does compare favorably with other vehicles in its class.
The driver gauges and dials are laid out in an easy to read manner and can be seen in almost all lights, while the audio and HVAC controls are also easily reached and managed. Room in the front seats is not exactly at a premium, though it does not offer the same amount of space as the Civic or even the Mini Cooper. In fact, the limited interior room is one of the largest drawbacks to owning the New Beetle in any configuration, whether coupe or convertible.
The rear seats really feel the pinch, with the legroom and knee space being sufficient for small children only. Long trips in the rear seats are an experience in torture for anyone large enough to have an opinion. In addition, the tiny trunk is simply too small to accommodate anything more than a few groceries. The rear seats do not fold down, limiting storage space even more.
2009 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible Safety Features
While VW usually prides themselves on creating offerings that ace crash tests, the New Beetle falls somewhat short of that traditional mark. The Beetle does come with antilock disc brakes, dual front airbags, front side airbags and active front hear restraints. You will also find a rollover protection system on the convertible, as well as stability control. The area in which the Beetle suffers is rear side impact, where it received a score of three out of a possible five.
Summary
While the New Beetle architecture may be iconic and eye-catching, there are several good competitors on the market. Both the MINI Cooper and Honda Civic offer better handling, as well as more interior space for occupants of all sizes. The 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle convertible is a fun-to-drive car, though its appeal may be more toward those who do not need to carry more than one passenger at a time.