Overview

What's New for 2012:
- Totally redesigned for 2012

Exterior Features
The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is a 2-door hatchback available in six trim levels. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard.

Interior Features
The Volkswagen Beetle seats 4 passengers and provides 12 cubic feet of trunk space. The base Beetle 2.5L comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, leatherette upholstery, 8-speaker audio system, Media Device Interface with iPod connectivity, cruise control, and air conditioning. Moving up to the higher trim levels adds cloth upholstery and an upgraded sound system. The top-of-the-line Beetle Turbo with Sunroof, Sound and Navigation includes a touch-screen navigation system, as well as leather upholstery.

Optional Features
While Volkswagen offers few stand-alone options or package groups for the 2012 Beetle, the model lineup includes several variations of the Beetle with a wide range of features. The Beetle comes in either regular or Turbo trims, both of which may be configured with a sunroof, upgraded sound system, and a navigation system.

Under the Hood
The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is front-wheel drive and has two available engines. The 2.5L is fitted with a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine rated at 170 horsepower, while Turbo models are powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 200 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on all 2.5L Beetles, with a 6-speed automatic transmission available on all but the base model. Turbo models come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, while a 6-speed automated manual transmission is available.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle are:
- Beetle 2.5L with automatic transmission: 22/29/25 mpg (city/highway/combined)
- Beetle 2.5L with manual transmission: 22/31/25 mpg
- Beetle Turbo with automatic transmission: 22/30/25 mpg
- Beetle Turbo with manual transmission: 21/30/24 mpg

Safety
Standard safety features on the new Volkswagen Beetle include front-seat side air bags, side curtain air bags, and electronic brake-force distribution.

In government crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Beetle received 4 (out of 5) stars for all crash tests. To date, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not tested the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.