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VolkswagenBeetle (2012-2018)

Medium
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Used only

£6,726Typical price

Test score

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The second-generation 'new' Volkswagen Beetle arrived in UK showrooms in early 2012. The retro styling is sleeker and sportier than the old Beetle, and the car boasts a completely new VW Golf-based sporty dynamics. Is it a case of style over substance, though, or does the Beetle hatchback have the ability to back its iconic looks? Find out in our full road test review.

pros

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable are Volkswagen's cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Jan 2012First reviewed by Which?
Jan 2012Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

6 Jun 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£6,726 - £14,113
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	33.9mpg
Length	4,278mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,808mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,025mm
Height	1,486mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Number of seats	4 - 5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	10.8 m
On sale date	01 January 2012
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£17.96

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	2.0 TSI Sport DSG
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	2-litre (200hp)
Transmission	6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	55 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	17.96p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£74
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Engine test date	24 October 2011
Test programme	2001-2012

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VolkswagenBeetle (2012-2018)

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