Volkswagen Beetle (2012 – 2018) | Expert Rating

Model reviewed: 2011-19
Score: 6 / 10
“The second generation Volkswagen Beetle is greatly improved over the car it replaced. The styling is dramatic and contemporary, there’s more of a premium feel inside and out, and it’s even more fun to drive thanks to the better dynamics of the Mk VI Golf platform on which it’s built.”
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Model reviewed: 2012-19
“In many cases ‘characterful’ can mean flawed and, while the Beetle certainly isn’t perfect, it strikes a pretty good balance of form and function.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 5.2 / 10
“The Beetle Cabriolet is almost as much fun as the MINI convertible, but with fewer practicality compromises.”
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet 2.0 TSI (2013)
Score: 8 / 10
“At £24,975 as tested, it’s as pricey as a hotted-up John Cooper Works Mini Convertible and over £4k more than a Cooper S. But the Volkswagen Beetle is more practical, more comfortable, more refined, easier to live with, nicer to drive, and just as quick.”
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet (2013)
Score: 6 / 10
“The VW Beetle Convertible offers a great blend of style, economy and driver enjoyment – but it’s expensive.”
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet
Score: 8 / 10
“To our eyes, the Beetle Cabriolet is the best retro drop-top on the market. It’s not as much fun or as playful as the MINI, but it still handles well and the more spacious cabin and comfortable ride make it much easier to live with every day.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The VW Beetle cabriolet has an excellent folding soft top and zippy, efficient engines, and although it’s more of a softly-sprung cruiser than an out-and-out roadster, it has space for four, and a smart interior.”
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Model reviewed: 2011
Score: 7 / 10
“The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is the third incarnation of VW’s most iconic car and takes a step back to the 1938 original in terms of styling, plus a step forward from the New Beetle in terms of driving and practicality.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6.2 / 10
“The Volkswagen Beetle is competent but unremarkable. Even so, it has undeniable appeal thanks to its cutesy, retro design, with plenty of clever references to Beetles of old, both inside and out.”
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet convertible (2016 )
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet isn’t a great car. It’s not very comfortable, it’s not very well equipped, it’s not very refined, and it’s not particularly affordable to buy or run.”
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Model reviewed: 2011-19
Score: 6 / 10
“Dynamically, the Volkswagen Beetle is a vast improvement on the previous incarnation of Beetle, but it continues to lack the dynamic polish and competence of the Golf.”
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Model reviewed: Dune 1.2-litre TSI 105
“The VW Beetle offers distinctive styling and a characterful drive.”

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Model reviewed: Dune Cabriolet 1.2 TSI DSG (2016)
Score: 4 / 10
“The regular Cabriolet with the right engine is a serviceable drop-top. But please, avoid the Dune and save yourself a lot of money.”
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Model reviewed: GSR (2014)
Score: 6 / 10
“You’ve really got to like the looks of the GSR, and its ultra-retro theme, to shell out more than £1,000 extra for its rarity credentials. A typical limited edition, in other words.”
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet is a two-door, soft-top model which puts the emphasis on style. Its bulbous shape and bright colour selection certainly makes it stand out.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4 TSI Design (2012)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Beetle performs very well, and is more economical than the EU says it is.”
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Model reviewed: 2011-19
Score: 5.6 / 10
“If you want a retro-styled hatchback and don’t mind sacrificing a little practicality for looks, the Volkswagen Beetle should suit you perfectly.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Beetle has been with us since 1938, but this is only its third iteration and, by all accounts, it’s the best one yet.”
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Model reviewed: R-Line 2.0 TDI 150ps
“The latest suspension set up in the VW Beetle R-Line allows for an engaging drive. The car feels well planted and agile.”
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Model reviewed:
“The second series VW Beetle, produced until 2016, is more practical and yet still has that retro cachet so beloved of many drivers.”
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Model reviewed: R-Line
Score: 6 / 10
“Retro styling and last-gen underpinnings, but the sportiest VW Beetle still has merit.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0 TSI Turbo
Score: 3.5 / 10
“The VW Beetle is fun to drive and looks cool.”
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Model reviewed: Beetle R-Line Cabriolet 2.0 TDI DSG
“The Volkswagen Beetle R-Line Cabriolet is still a bit too soft for potential Scirocco customers perhaps, but chic enough and practical enough to make an appealing user-chooser option.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“If you like the looks and the idea of a topless Beetle, there’s plenty to love here.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“Easily dismissed as cutesy and pointless, the Beetle’s humour and charm is a sizeable part of its appeal.”
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Model reviewed: 2012-19
Score: 8 / 10
“Distinctive interior harks back to original VW Beetle. Enjoyable to drive.”
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Model rev
iewed: Cabriolet (2013-2019)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Beetle is relatively practical for a convertible, with space for four adults, styling that turns heads, especially with the roof down, while it’s fun to own, especially on sunny days.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“Second-generation VW Beetle pulls off modern retro styling perfectly and holds its value well.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 5 / 10
“The Dune model adds style – and cost – but not substance.”
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Model reviewed: R-Line 2.0 TDI BMT 150PS 3d
Score: 7 / 10
“The Vauxhall Beetle has retro appeal, a comfortable interior, good performance, capable handling, and strong reliability and build quality.”
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Model reviewed: R-Line
“The Volkswagen Beetle R-Line is still as stylish as ever and a charming alternative to the Golf.”
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet (2012)
Score: 6 / 10
“Take a trip down memory lane in this undemanding, and unrewarding, convertible.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Beetle is an intriguing and eye-catching alternative to a Golf but nothing special to drive.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The VW Beetle has had another makeover and this time there’s substance amid the styling.”
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet
Score: 4 / 10
“The new Beetle Cabriolet is huge fun and great with the roof down, even if it’s wet out.”
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet
Score: 4 / 10
“The VW Beetle Cabriolet’s steering is incredibly light but doesn’t offer a whole lot of communication through the thin rim and the ride soon gets unsettled quite easily over broken streets. But it cruises well.”
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Model reviewed: https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/beetle
Score: 6 / 10
“The new Beetle is a vast improvement on its predecessor and sportier, too. We like it.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“Mated with the DSG gearbox, the whole VW Beetle feels well sorted, not over- or underpowered, quick enough to please and steady enough in the corners not to cause sickness.”
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Model reviewed:
Score: 4 / 10
“The Beetle doesn’t quite have the dynamic sparkle that turns it into a sports model. The beefier steering can be a little wearisome on a long drive and doesn’t have the feedback of the best systems.”
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Model reviewed: GSR
“If you’re in the market for a VW Beetle GSR you must positively like shouting from the rooftops about your independence of opinion.”
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Model reviewed: 2011-18
“The VW Beetle’s low, sporty shape is designed to appeal more to male buyers and the fact that it’s also far sportier to drive than the previous Beetle backs this up.”
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