The Beetle’s shape is probably one of the best-known (and in some circles, most reviled) shapes on the road.  However, the previous “New Beetle” was getting old by 2011, and Volkswagen took the time to completely redesign it for 2012.  Because of its cultural impact over the years (and the fact that I know some people who read this site are interested), I took one for a drive recently. 

The car I drove was a base model, retailing for about 21.7K.  The base Beetle, with the commonplace VW 2.5L inline-5, makes about 170hp at the crank, with (in this case) a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting. Unfortunately, the dual-clutch transmission is only available with the 2.0T engine.  The basic model has all the expected features, with air conditioning, a basic AM/FM/CD player, and the new two-tiered glovebox (a throwback to the original), but no flower vase (thankfully).  The standard V-Tex seats (fake leather) are comfortable and fairly wide for their size, offering impressive room to sit down, but the lack of an armrest in even the more expensive models is a surprising oversight.  A sunroof and upgraded audio systems are available (from Fender, of guitar fame), and a navigation system is optional as well, all as part of upgrade packages.  Even as the basic one, the new Bug isn’t poorly equipped at all.  The appearance is a big improvement as well, as the new shape loses its overtly-rounded silhouette and replaces it with a lower, more eye-catching shadow thanks to a more aggressive roofline and less curvaceous hood.  The new car looks a bit less girly and doesn’t at all apologize for it.  Interior quality isn’t at all bad either, with most of the cheap stuff cleverly kept away from the eye.

The interior is incredibly airy, much more so than the Mini Cooper and the Fiat 500, two of its main retro-competitors.  Despite its small size, the Beetle feels like a studio apartment compared to the Cooper’s ambiance.  Visibility out front is fishbowl-like, with good sight lines and no blind spots, but the big rear headrests block the rear view mirror’s image a lot.  The controls are a snap to master in this new Bug, with the radio being nice and high and the climate controls a fairly short reach away.  On the move, it rides well, with little body motion on large bumps and potholes.  Th e brake pedal was much better than I expected, with good travel and respectable firmness.  That said, the little inline-five is no ball of fire, but isn’t necessarily overtaxed, giving more than useable thrust around town.  It’s refined in this case as well, but does make a racket when pushed overly hard.  Otherwise, the Beetle is pretty much decent from most standpoints.  It’s quite maneuverable around town, as expected for a car of this size, and parking is a cinch thanks to the excellent side mirrors.  The steering is quick, if a little over-boosted at times.  Road noise is average, but there is a bit of tire noise at higher speeds, something VW should have likely looked at more closely.

Volkswagen is attempting to change the Beetle’s image from a girl’s runabout to a sportier hatchback (and offbeat alternative to the GTI, in the case of the Turbo model).  I’m not sure they’ve achieved this goal, but the Beetle is a lot less feminine than it used to be, which is definitely a step in the right direction.  But, do I think that it’s no longer a girly car?  Nope–it still is a girl car, just one that a guy won’t have to feel ashamed of driving once in a while.  It isn’t a bad car–in fact, I happen to like the Beetle now–but its image hasn’t changed.

-Al