2018 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible: City Test

We test the updated 2018 VW Beetle Convertible top down in the city unrehearsed and candid to see how its new 2.0 liter engine performs, how it handles, and how it stacks up all in.
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[@GTO20122012]

I have a VW Beetle for over a year now and I love it and interior materials are nice. 2017 I have the 1.8 engine and it packs a punch 🥊.

[@thewireman134]

Actually liked you and didn't think you were biased until I seen this video... You gave a perfect score wow.. credibility is out the window

[@TestDrivenTV]

4 of 5 stars is a perfect score? Must be GM math.

[@TheRorymcloughlin]

Great review as always Sam, Thank you.

[@rbielarski]

You're an awesome reviewer!

[@palebeachbum]

Love this color combo and there are exactly none for sale within 500 miles of me. I would basically have a choice between black, black, black, or that dull-ass blue.

[@snich63]

"As you can see I'm dressed for winter". In shorts ;)

[@xboxguy727]

I enjoy your videos.

[@tonyvargas368]

I wish my three VW's had been reliable. I also wish they'd bring back the European Passat. That would get me back in the showroom.

[@edysinsimon8646]

I LOVE the green Beetle! Back when "Blackwater" was the current hit from the Doobie brother, I hd a green convertible bug with black vinyl interior and roof. A 4speed trans and it was dreadfully slow, but back then it was all about the slow ride!

[@moddude101]

I just rented one in Hawaii the other day and fell in love with it making me really want to get one when I returned. Yes my minor complaint being a car enthusiast was the transmission, as far as automatics go I wish it had a DSG but compared to other automatics it wasn't that bad.. The rental had 3K miles on it and donned the check engine light which I was pretty upset for this to happen even being a rental car. I own a 2000 Golf 2.0 with a supercharger and I can see why I get a check engine light.
I originally thought that if I ever did get a New Beetle I would opt for a TDI and you can get it in a stick. After watching this video I might see what the power numbers on a 2.0 S does and make it a sleeper.
But renting the covetable was very fun! A couple days later we rented a Mini convertible and it was fun too but not as fun as the older generation Mini's.
In the end since I don't have any money and really like my old Golf I'll probably just keep what I have. And I have learned to love the check engine light except when it comes time for smog...

[@ejf0255]

Have you gotten to the Buick Tour X. Would love your feedback. It's #1 on my list of new cars.
Wow as a VW guy you are always honest. That's why I love your videos.
TourX or Atlas ? (I'd ask about Tiguan but I know your feedback) LoL

[@clairekennedy8767]

E.J. Freestone tourX

[@NigelNaughton]

3. 2. 1...hey my good friends!! Sam is the man!

[@Tbow499]

Nice! I’ve owned 2 VW Beetles in the past and found them quite nice! I wished they would have put a manual transmission as an option; sales might’ve spiked!
Nice video...👍

[@katelyndavis8184]

I love that car i want one

[@SHADOWBOXERBAYBEE]

in 2001, I traded my 1995 Eagle Talon that I had for 5 1/2 happy years due to craning my "injured" neck to get in. MPG was about 34.. I found a used 1999 Silver Bug loaded but no spoiler and added the 6 CD changer in the trunk. It had its issues with the trunk release and I was fine with it being my very first bug riding on the euphoria of it all AND BOOM OMG the interior lights at night. I had her 5 years until my husband died and insanity made me dump her and his Caravan for the Honda ORANGE Element..... Welllll at 16 mpg city driving of a 2 cylinder engine with the constant reminder of my grief purchase, I was cornered at the VW lot, on my way out actually and a salesman nearly blocked me with his car asking if I was looking. He takes me INSIDE and behold a 2.5 liter (ZOOM ZOOM) sunflower yellow loaded WITH a custom spoiler. I leased it and stupid me BOUGHT it "again" you could say. So from March of 2007 until today, I still have her at 73000 miles but I do have 2 other cars a 1991 Chevy S-10 Blazer 4.3 engine and a 2015 KIA Soul Exclaim. Up until a month ago, my LowBug had NEVER given me issues. Suddenly on the downshift approaching a stop in traffic I hear CLUNK and FEEL clunk under my seat. I'm afraid the transmission is on its way out after doing the required work on her :(

[@timfox2344]

Only lights to come on for my ‘10 Tiguan were for burnt headlight/ running light and “tire pressure too low” ... which is overly dramatic 34psi vs 35psi recommended

[@duranamo4297]

They still make the beetle??

[@K03sport]

hey friend; if mfgrs didn't try to "tune" for high mpgs, would cars actually get better mpgs...are you sure the budack system isn't more for emissions than mileage as that is was VW got "burned" over in the recent diesel thing? Even a V12 Ferrari can have great hp yet get really good emissions numbers and I doubt the V12 was tuned for "mpgs"...I can see that constraining an engine through tuning and transmission performance might be a mileage thing, but I believe its more for a an emissions things; less fuel being burned, lower emissions (curious to see the design of the top of the piston? maybe the engine will loosen up over time; how many miles on your review mule?

[@forko9562]

Is the beetle like the bug

[@LePetitDoll]

This is my car.

[@ducatil-twin3379]

Joe Pantoliano is now reviewing cars?

[@DJonathanHayes76]

Nice car but my VWs were not reliable, I’d be somewhat reluctant to try a Bug again.

[@forsalecarvideos6147]

Beetle disconitnues not only becuase of sales, but becuase of some engineering issues VW wasn’t willing to throw more $$ after. I recently compared the VW Golf AWD to the new Buick Regal X Wagon AWD and the Buick was far away better than the VW in fit and finish, interior materials, handling, accessibility, view, and overall performance. Buick next for me...

[@kn7gez]

Your channel is no longer fed. Subscribed. Have to search for it.

[@DJonathanHayes76]

Badge of honor? Maybe if you have $$$$$ to get those check engine lights fixed. I was tired of 800 plus repair bills each time I had a check engine light.. my dodge and gmc never had a check engine light in near 100,000 miles?

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

I also owned quite a few Volkswagens. I will say to avoid most 2000-2009 without a full service history. That said, Chevys of the same era, in my experience, have been completely abysmal. Same for Ford. It was just a horrid time for American cars. Cheap, plasticy, rattly, unreliable trash.
I'd say that on the whole, most manufacturers have gotten WAY better in the quality department, especially VW. VWs now even come with a standard 72,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty which is a huge step in the right direction.

[@Intrepid175a]

I'm shocked! The computer mpg readout is lying to you?? ;-)
I've owned three cars now with average mpg readouts. A 2006 Honda Civic, a 2013 Toyota Rav4 (both bought new), and a 2016 Mustang GT (bought used). All three of them display average fuel economy readings between 1 and 1.5 mpg higher than my manual calculations. At least they're relatively consistent about it. The discrepancy you saw on the VW is a bit extreme though. Either way, you'd think they could program these things to be a little more accurate.
Edit: There is nothing scientific about what I'm adding here but I've kept fuel economy logs on almost every car I've ever owned and one thing I've noted is, running the absolute lowest rpms on the engine at all cost rarely returns the best fuel economy. Auto tranny's that head to the highest gears as quickly as possible and require an act of God to force a downshift don't help gas mileage and, as Sam noted, do nothing for driving enjoyment either.

[@GaryBoyd02]

VWs computer is lying? Who would have thought. Ethically and morally I don't know how anyone can buy a VW.

[@robertlandry5676]

🚫City Tests

[@tinhinnh]

this gen is so forgettable

[@freddyo2k10]

Is that a PT Cruiser?? Lol👎

[@thewireman134]

Omg Volkswagen fanboi you just lost all credibility.. gm makes a far better product.. Volkswagen reliability worse u can buy.. You should get the flowers for your hair and your dash