Base MSRP Range: $24,899-27,549
Base Invoice Range: $22,507-24,758
MSRP As Tested: Not Available
Versions: GL 2.0L, GLS 2.0L, GLS 1.8T, GLX 1.8T
Vehicle Category: Compact Convertible
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive
Engine As Tested: 2.0L 2.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4 cylinder, 150-horsepower at 5,200rpm and 122 lb-ft torque at 2,600 rpm.
Optional Engine: 1.8T 1.8-liter, turbocharged, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4 cylinder, 115-horsepower at 5,800rpm and 162 lb-ft torque between 2,200 - 4,200 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: Standard 6-Speed automatic, optional 6-speed manual
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): GL 2.0L automatic 23/29, manual 24/31, GLS and GLX 1.8T automatic 23/29 manual 24/31
Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger, front airbags, fornt seat side airbags, rollover protection system, disc brakes, Traction Control.
Competition: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Chrysler Sebring, Toyota Solara and Mazda Miata
Vehicle History
The original Volkswagen Beetle was first commissioned by Adolf Hitler and designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1934. The Beetle was developed as the 'Peoples Car'; a car for the masses, who would ultimately be on the move in the new Germany.
The Beetle went into production in 1945. The first Cabriolet was released in 1949 and, almost 60 years later, it is an automotive icon known the world over. However it is better known for its relationship to the 1960s hippie movement than to Hitler's new world order.
21,529,464 VW Bugs, 330,000 of them convertibles, have been built. The last one based on the original design just rolled of a Mexican assembly line on August 2, 2003.
Changes Over the Previous Model
Whether you are talking about the last original Beetle Cabriolet introduced in 1973, or the more recent Golf Cabriolet – replaced by the 2003 Beetle Cabriolet -- this is an all new product.
Compared to the original Beetle convertibles the current version is a luxury car with available leather seating, automatic transmission, air conditioning and other accessories.
For 2004 little has changed over the 2003 product. Hence we will discus both.
Vehicle Exterior
It seems almost silly to describe the styling of the New Beetle; it is so well known worldwide.
Of course the 2003 Beetle Convertible is round just like its sister the coupe. A lot attention was put into making sure the retractable roof maintained the round roofline of the coupe when the roof was closed. It seems equally as much attention was put in to making the roof fold up in the same manner as the old one -- hanging over the rear of the car. Other than the retractable cloth roof it looks exactly like the coupe.
Vehicle Interior
The interior is very similar to the coupe. It has the same deep dashboard, with the flower vase, and the cowl with the large central speedometer. The three-spoke steering wheel is unusually comfortable. The center console contains the control for opening the roof, if it is the optional power version.
The front seats are well made and comfortable for long rides. The rear seat is tight but comfortable for children, slender adults, or the family dog.
The door inserts are made of soft-touch vinyl. The upper door panels are body colored so the color continues into the incorporated Toneau cover to hide the roof mechanisms.
Engine Performance
There are three engine choices in the 2003 and 2004 Beetle Convertible. There is 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine that generates 115-horsepower at 5,200 rpm with 122 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,600 rpm. The 1.8T, turbocharged engine, delivers 150-horsepower at 5,800 rpm with 162 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,200 and 4,200 rpm.
When we drove the New Beetle convertible it was only available with the 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine. Cruising down the highway to the Florida Keys was comfortable and passing on those roads was easy, but not exciting. If you live somewhere with hills, or you like the feel of a car's acceleration, look at the 1.8T models. We have driven other Volkswagens with these engines and they are a lot of fun. They get the car moving as it should. The turbo S engine makes the Beetle drive more like an Audi TT in disguise. It's a fun, and affordable, surprise.
Ride and Handling
The ride is certainly more comfortable than the original Beetle – it wasn't a significant task for the automaker to accomplish – and it is better than the outgoing Golf Cabriolet. The new Beetle Cabriolet drives like a product from Audi, rather than Volkswagen. The convertible is about cruising with the top down enjoying the day, rather than racing to the next destination.
Driving from Miami's South Beach to the Florida Keys was a great demonstration of what the New Beetle Convertible is all about. On the highway the ride was smooth, quiet and comfortable with the roof up, or down. Most of the drive was on the slow causeway. On these average surface roads bumps were nicely smoothed out. Cornering was good, but never really tested as Florida roads are not known for their curves or elevation changes.
Perhaps we'll get the chance to test one of the higher horsepower versions here in the California hills to see how it handles on twisty mountain roads. But we're sure it will do fine and be a blast to drive. We have driven the Turbo S Beetle and it's like having an Audi TT with a Beetle body for a great deal less money.
Safety
Volkswagen cars are loaded with safety features.
Open top cars have to address occupant protecting in the case of a rollover. The 2003 and 2004 Volkswagen Cabriolets have an automatic rollover protection system. The automatic rollover protection is integrated into the open Cabriolet's silhouette. The system is located behind the rear seat backrest. In the event of a crash a sensor determines the potential for a rollover, and activates the protection system. When activated two rollover bars deploy upward within 0.25 seconds. Together with the reinforced windscreen frame the passenger compartment is secured.
The standard passive safety features include front and side airbags, an antilock braking system and energy-absorbing side paneling (ESP) specially designed for the Cabriolet. Supplemented with the active safety mechanisms mentioned above, the New Beetle Cabriolet is as safe as any convertible on the road.
In Conclusion
The 2003 and 2004 Beetle Cabriolets are all about fun. People smile when they see them and everyone enjoys driving them. If you are considering convertibles like the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Chrysler Sebring, Toyota Solara and Mazda Miata compare them to the Beetle Cabriolet. It's more fun, better built, has better safety features and, in the end, its a better value for your money. It will hold its value longer than its competitors. If you're a person who loves the styling and sense of humor of the New Beetle, then the ride, handling and price should convince you it's one of the best options.
Editors' Ratings
Pros: Iconic looks, huge fun factor comfortable cruiser.
Cons: Nothing.
Annoyances: Nothing
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 9
- Performance: 9
- Price: 8
- Handling: 9
- Ride: 9
- Comfort: 8
- Quality: 9
- Overall: 8.71
More Data
Where Built: Germany.
Major Options: Leather Package, Monsoon Sound System Package, Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) (2.0L only).
Seating: 4
Number of Rows: 2
Crash Test Ratings:
- NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
- NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
- NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
- NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
- NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: Not Yet Tested
- IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: Not Yet Tested
Length in Inches: 161.1
Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/60,000 Limited Powertrain, 12 years/unlimited miles Corrosion protection, 4,50,000 free roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 2,954 - 3,005
Maximum Payload in Pounds: 860
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weigh in Poundst: Not Available
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Applicable
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 14.5
Destination Charge: $575
