The new Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback combines retro styling with good efficiency to become one of the trendiest affordable small family cars available on the market right now. If you fancy rocking up in town with a bit of quirky chicness, this could be the car for you and yours.
The much-loved Beetle is, of course, an iconic name. But unlike the Porsche 911 or the Ferrari Spider, you don’t have to pay over the odds to get your hands on one of these. Although its looks have been refreshed, it’s still classically Beetle-esque and there is no doubt, that this is one of its biggest selling points.
OSV takes a look to see what else it’s got with our Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback review.
Overview of the Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback
On The Road
The new Beetle is based on the VW Golf, which means you can expect a car that handles well enough, but which is a bit too safe and predictable. We’re not saying that it’s totally uninspiring and thanks to precise steering and soft suspension, it’s even enjoyable at times.
How much pleasure you get out of driving it though, will come down to what gearbox you pair it up with. We recommend that you overlook the seven-speed automatic gearbox in favour of the smoother and quick six-speed manual.[vc_single_image image=”48021″ img_size=”article-image”]The car looks fab and will gain a lot of admirers on the strength of its looks and name alone. But those curvy looks conspire against it at times, especially when it comes to parking. This doesn’t have the aesthetics of a conventional hatch, and it will make squeezing into a tight spot tricky.
In terms of the engines, things are rosy and any engine you snap up will be a winner. Even the entry level 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine is easy to recommend. Thanks to its combination of power and willingness, it can get you from rest to 62mph in 10.9 seconds. The turbocharged 1.4-litre 148bhp petrol unit, meanwhile, covers the same distance in a matter of 8.9 seconds.
If you go for either a Beetle Sport or a Beetle Turbo Black, you can also get your hands on a brisk 2.0-litre 217bhp petrol engine, too. It’s turbocharged and has enough in its tank to gun you from a standstill to 62mph in 6.7 seconds.
There are two versions of a 2.0-litre diesel available, with the less powerful of the two able to cover the 0-62mph dash in 11.0 seconds while feeling faster than those numbers suggest. The 148bhp variant does the 0-62mph sprint in 8.2 seconds and is a good motorway cruiser.
Interior, Design & Build
VW have decided that their beloved Beetle needed to be refreshed from the outside, but fear not because it’s still recognisably a Beetle. Familiar relics, such as the curved shape, remain, but the German brand wanted to bring it in line with the design language of their rivals, such as MINI. It’s considerably wider and longer than last time around, looks as though it’s been working out, while its curves are sharper.[vc_single_image image=”48019″ img_size=”article-image”]Crucially, it’s still vintage and pretty.
Volkswagen are well known these days for treating their cars to top quality interiors and they haven’t forgotten about their cherished Beetle. Fit and finish is excellent, the plastics are of a high standard and it’s all topped off with some neat retro flourishes.
The full length dash is adorned in body-coloured metal and it looks really striking. It’s colourful and evocative of another time. The main thing is that it’s something different to what you’ll find in many other hatchbacks – but still looks great.In terms of everyday usability, the VW Beetle Hatchback scores quite well. Compared to the rival Fiat 500, it has more interior space, but rear seated passengers are still going to feel cramped. Those in the front benefit from comfier seats that allow for a generous amount of adjustability, while cavernous door bins and dual glove boxes will help you to maintain a tidy cabin.
The boot measures 310-litres, which is smaller than the Golf’s but bigger than many rivals. The square shape is a bit unusual but is reasonably accommodating, while a large load lip is going to annoy you.
Equipment
There are three trim levels to choose from:
- Beetle
- Design
- Sport
Standard for all cars is an easy-to-use infotainment touchscreen, as well as comfortable seats. The base level model does without alloys, though, which is a bit disappointing but it’s cheaper than the entry level Golf. It does get remote central locking, air con, and Bluetooth.
The Design trim is our pick, it comes with 17” alloys, front fog lights and a leather-adorned multifunction steering wheel. The Sport model looks chunkier and can be purchased with the powerful 148bhp diesel engine.[vc_single_image image=”48020″ img_size=”article-image”]
Costs of the Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback
Prices for the new car start out from around £16,800 and rise to £25,400. If you prefer to lease, you can find out more information about our leasing deals here.
To give you an idea of how economical this new car is, the diesels are half as economical as the original Beetle that was released a few decades ago. That’s impressive.
Let’s look at the numbers – the 108bhp diesel engine can average returns of 65.7mpg, while the 148bhp diesel unit is good for 62.8mpg.
The petrol engines are less economical, but they still return decent numbers and should be considered if you’ll be using this Beetle mainly in the town. The 1.2-litre petrol can achieve fuel economy returns of 52.3mpg, while the 1.4-litre variant averages 48mpg.
You can make the 1.2-litre petrol unit a tiny bit more economical by adding an automatic transmission.
The car is fairly affordable to insure, with the base-level model occupying group 10 and the range-topper group 23. A standard three-year warranty is offered.
Pros and Cons of the Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback
Pros:
Cons:
More Aggressive Looks
Did the cute and cheerful Beetle really need to look more muscular? Probably when you consider what some of its pumped-up rivals are looking like in 2016, such as the MINI. Everything is bigger about this new variant and the Dune model, in particular, looks as though it’s spent the last year down the gym.
Economical
It’s far from being as economical as the Golf, but the fact that such a strong engine as the 2.0-litre TDI diesel is the cheapest to run is a real attraction.
Classy Interior
The interior is one of this car’s strengths. Mixing excellent fit and finish with colourful retro touches to ensure it stands out for all the right reasons.
Not Easy To Park
The 2016 VW Beetle doesn’t sport the most forgiving of looks when it comes to practicality and you might find that parking becomes a bit of an issue.
Cramped Rear
Practicality, in general, is not this car’s major and rear seated passengers might struggle, even on shorter journeys. The sloping roofline is the chief reason for this, but kids should be just fine.
Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback vs. Fiat 500 Hatchback vs. MINI Hatchback
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback review.
Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback vs. Fiat 500 Hatchback
The new Fiat 500 is, much like the Beetle, cute and cheerful and sports retro looks that suit its compact dimensions and friendly face. But does it have much usability?
The Fiat 500’s natural habitat is the city and this is where it flourishes. Its big windows and small dimensions ensure good visibility and you can nip through gaps in the traffic with as much as ease as you can in the Beetle.
We like the City Steering mode, which adds more power assistance to the steering. This makes it even easier to manoeuvre the 500 out of tight spots, and it also makes parking effortless.[vc_single_image image=”48016″ img_size=”article-image”]The engine suited the most to this car is a TwinAir two-pot turbo petrol engine, which draws a good amount of its power even from lower speeds. It comes in two separate power guises, with the 84bhp variant able to cover the 0-62mph dash in 11.0 seconds, and the 104bhp variant capable of doing it in 10.0 seconds.
There is also a 1.2-litre petrol engine on offer, but it’s not as much fun, while a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel unit can power you from rest to 62mph in 10.7 seconds, but comes with a lot of rattle that will be off-putting in the city.
The MultiJet is by far the cheapest to run and can average fuel economy returns of 83.1mpg while costing zero to tax. However, it’s more expensive to buy than the petrol’s and won’t make much sense unless you’ll be spending a lot of time on the motorways. The 1.2-litre petrol is our top pick and averages returns of 65.7mpg if you opt for the Eco version.[vc_single_image image=”48015″ img_size=”article-image”]The cabin is modern, stylish and vibrant and matches the exterior’s funky aesthetics. The designers have included a few cues from the fifties, but not too much that it doesn’t retain its contemporary appeal. The seats are soft and comfortable, while the dash is logically arranged and looks classy, thanks to glossy plastic buttons.
There is no option of a five-door model, which means that although it’s easy to park and offers good visibility, the 500 Hatchback is very small. Four adults should just about be comfortable enough, but access to the rear is poor. The seats slide forwards, though, which is helpful. The boot measures 185-litres with all the seats up, but you can collapse the rear seats to create 550-litres worth of space.Price:
Volkswagen – £16,800 – £25,400
Fiat – £11,000 – £17,000
Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback vs. MINI Hatchback
The new MINI Hatchback is, like the VW and the Fiat 500, stylish, cheap to run and rather fun to drive.
The MINI has always been fun to drive and while the brand have decided to make it a bit more grown-up this time around, they’ve sacrificed nothing about its frivolity and each model will continue to make you grin like an excited kid. The car is small, nimble and offers plenty of grip.[vc_single_image image=”48022″ img_size=”article-image”]There are five engines to choose from in total, including a trio of petrols that kick off with a 1.2-litre three pot 100bhp turbo unit. The 2.0-litre four pot is your best bet if you want as much pace and performance as possible, as it can deliver up to 189bhp and get you from rest to 62mph in 6.8s seconds.
The pair of diesel engines are both 1.5-litres. Both are also small and both can be a tad noisy. However, performance is good, as is fuel economy. Just check the numbers – 83.1mpg are the official ones, although we’ suggest that you’re unlikely to average those returns unless you drive like a monk around town and annoy everyone else.
But it’s the petrols that grab the headlines, with the cheapest able to return 62.8mpg.[vc_single_image image=”48017″ img_size=”article-image”]The interior has at last matured and the cabin now feels fit for a young family who want a bit of sophistication inside their small hatchback. The driver’s seat is supportive and adjustable and there is more space than last time around.
The dash is of a higher quality than ever before, with MINI finally introducing an infotainment screen to replace its massive central speedometer. The screen is surrounded by a circle of brightly coloured LED lights and some models come with ambient lighting which adds a classy touch.
Verdict of our Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback Review
When the Beetle was revived after many years in the wilderness, it attracted a lot of buyers who wanted to indulge in some whimsical nostalgia. The problem was that the car just wasn’t actually that good.
Now, it is. The dramatic new styling has retained plenty of this car’s legendary character, while the low running costs and classy interior help to make this a very viable family car. It lacks a bit of the advanced tech that other VW’s have been treated to, but if you want something a bit different this year, the new Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback won’t disappoint you.[vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#00625a”]
Want to learn more? Click below to view the review for the competitors in this article…
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Mini Hatchback Review
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Fiat 500 Review
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