Used 2012 Volkswagen Beetle for sale 

The Volkswagen Beetle is available in two trims; the Beetle 2.5L and the Beetle Turbo. The standard Beetle has a 2.5L I5 generates an adequate amount of power in the segment. The Beetle Turbo, however, is segment-leading and produces much more power. This increase in power does not mar the fuel economy of the car either. 

The 2.5L comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission with the option to upgrade to a six-speed automatic. The Turbo comes with a six-speed manual transmission with an option to choose the excellent six-speed DSG automatic. The 2.5L does not come with the option of the DSG gearbox. There are also variations within the trim level with the addition of a sunroof, an improved sound system, and navigation.

There are also optional extras to choose from apart from the basic trim equipment. These additions include a navigation system, a Fender Premium Audio System, and custom personalizations, among others.

We Recommend

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L delivers adequate performance compared to its competitors. The Beetle Turbo, however, is exceptional in its performance and exceeds its competitors. Hence, we recommend the 2012 Beetle Turbo with the superb DSG automatic transmission.

The two engine options available with the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle are the 2.5L inline-five and the 2.0L turbocharged I4. Both engines are quite powerful in this segment, with the turbocharged I4 being a surprisingly high-performance variant. The 2.5L comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission while the Turbo is equipped with a six-speed manual. The Turbo has the option to be upgraded to a double-clutch DSG six-speed automatic, whereas the 2..5L can only be availed with a standard six-speed automatic.

The all-new Volkswagen Beetle Turbo generates about 200hp of power and 207 lb-ft of torque. This enables the car to put on a good show, in terms of performance, with the Turbo accelerating to 60mph in about 6.3 seconds and crossing the quarter-mile in just under 15 seconds.

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle beats most competitors in this category, with the car easily exceeding the competitors chosen here. That said, the figures are not that skewed across the competitors, with only the Fiat 500 posting abysmally low-performance figures.

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo offers fuel economy figures that are at par with the segment. The Beetle does about 22mpg in the city and about 30mpg on highways, combining to give 25mpg. This figure increases by just a mile per gallon with the choice of the 2.5L I5 engine. 

The average fuel capacity of the 2012 Beetle of about 14.5 gallons means that the car can travel about 362 miles. The Mini Cooper S and the 2012 Fiat 500 offers substantially better fuel economy in comparison.

The new-generation 2012 Volkswagen Beetle aims to fully reinvent itself with the adoption of a more aggressive design language. The interior is outstanding with the usage of high-quality materials throughout the cabin. The interior feels similar to a decently equipped Golf. The Beetle now has done away with the vase on the dashboard in an effort to rebrand the car.

The car is also more spacious than before with a significant increase in cargo space. The 2012 Beetle is feature-rich, with the inclusion of heated seats, an 8-speaker sound system, and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. The optional extra of the touchscreen navigation system also includes superb Fender speakers.

The Volkswagen Beetle has an excellently spacious cabin for the segment. That said, the rear row seating is quite cramped, but this drawback is seen across the entirety of the segment. The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle offers excellent cargo capacity in the segment, one which is almost three times the Fiat 500’s. The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle also offers interior features such as - 

• Climate Control
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Optional Satellite Radio
• Optional Panoramic Sunroof
• Power-Adjustable Steering
• Optional Satellite Navigation
• Optional Fender Premium Audio System

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Infotainment System

The standard audio system of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is a tremendous improvement from the previous iteration. The display is vivid and informative and the controls are easily found, making navigation through the system a breeze. The optional touchscreen navigation/infotainment system is also excellently laid out and easy to use. The Beetle’s infotainment system contains features such as - 

• AM/FM Stereo
• CD Player
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• MP3 Player / iPod Compatibility
• Optional Satellite Radio
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Optional Satellite Navigation

The 2012 redesign of the “New Beetle” is aimed at rebranding the Beetle as a more masculine, gender-neutral car.

The car is completely changed from the 2011 model year with different sizes, with the Beetle now being based on the Volkswagen Jetta. The increased size results in a roomy cabin and spacious cargo bay.

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle takes a step away from the traditional principles of the beetle and now is larger than its competitors. The quirky design of the Beetle is still respected, with the enormous protruding wheel arches and the sloping roofline kept alive. The Beetle also offers additional exterior features such as-

• Daytime Running Lights
• Rear Spoiler (Turbo)
• Optional Sunroof

The all-new Volkswagen Beetle offers reasonably good safety in this segment. The IIHS has not fully tested the vehicle but the three indicators that were tested were rated as ‘Good’. The NHTSA has rated the Beetle at four stars out of five for crash safety. The Beetle also offers safety features such as -

• Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System 
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Intelligent Crash Response System
• Electronic Stability Control
• Brake Assist
• Electronic Differential Lock

The redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is now a practical choice in the premium hatchback segment. The Beetle remains true to its heritage and follows in the same design language even after a complete redesign. Volkswagen could have improved Beetle’s fuel economy to compete better with the 2012 Mini Cooper S and the 2012 Fiat 500. The car, however, offers excellent cabin space and practicality in the segment.

The Beetle is still an impractical choice compared to lower-end hatchbacks such as the 2012 Mazda3 and 2012 Civic Coupe, which are also substantially cheaper. This niche segment offers limited maneuverability and most cars in the segment have the same drawbacks. Hence, we recommend the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo with a DSG transmission for the premium hatchback segment.