Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet (2003 - 2010) review

At a glance |
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New price | £14,460 - £22,950 |
Used price | £645 - £3,900 |
Fuel economy |
Not tested to latest standards
View pre-2017 economy specs
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Road tax cost | £180 - £360 |
Insurance group | 11 - 22 How much is it to insure? |
PROS
Iconic style, easy to open roof, well built, economical TDI available
CONS
Cramped in the back, limited and tricky to access boot space, lacks refinement, roof looks ugly when folded down
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet rivals
Four years after the ‘new’ Beetle was launched, Volkswagen introduced the convertible version – an obvious step for a car that appeals to those after something fun and stylish. Adding open-air enjoyment to the Beetle certainly makes it more enjoyable, but it’s let down in key areas. The roof doesn’t stow away neatly and looks ugly when folded down, while the handling is below par, not helped by lacklustre steering.
On the plus side, it’s well built and reliable as well as being reasonable quiet with the roof up at motorway speeds. However, newer convertibles offer better value for money. It was facelifted slightly in 2005 with new bumpers and lights.