2002 Volkswagen Beetle | Read Owner Reviews, Prices, Specs

Crash Test Rating

Source NHTSA

MPG (up to)

23 -24 City / 29 -31 HWY

Source FuelEconomy.gov

Horsepower

115 -180

Seats

4

Positive Owner Reviews

Stephanie H

The VW beetle is one of the best cars overall that I have ever had.

Absolutely love my beetle! Its very low to the road so that is a negative for me. I have to be really careful in the rain. It handles well in traffic. Never overheats even in heavy traffic. I would recommend a beetle to anyone.

Bronwyn B

Just keep on top of oil changes and this car will last well over 200k miles.

Things I like - heated seats, power windows, sun/moon roof, space.... Things I dislike - age, stick shift, general wear/tear.

Valerie H

That it is a great small car and just amazing. I love that it drives really well and look forward to getting another one when the time comes.

I love how small it is and that it is still roomy. I love that it drives really well. The only issue I have with it is that the o2 sensor keeps going out on mine.

Linda G

Tiny car, turbo charged engine, joy to drive!

The VW new beetle was introduced to the market in 1998 after a successful run as a concept car. By the time the 2002 model was released, I think many of the initial bugs had been worked out of it. However, things like power windows and interior door panels had to be replaced after about 10 years. It is a turbo with manual transmission and is still an absolute joy to drive!

Zach T

It is a turbo so it has a wing that pops up or down depending on the speed your

The clutch is currently out, I was told it is the master slave cylinder, when it is operational it is awesome! It whips and picks up fast he's a trooper! He has almost two hundred fifty thousand miles on the odometer so it's getting on up there but as far as cosmetically there is absolutely nothing wrong with it

Cindy B

The quality of the car is outstanding. You can feel it just by driving the car.

This is my third Beetle and I love them because the ergonomics of the inside perfectly fits me. I can reach all the controls easily and see out all the windows. And...they're cute!

William B

It's a quick little car and a collectors item, it is the only car for me and is an extension of my personality

Love the sportiness, 6 speed manual w leather seats and interior, sunroof, heated seats, turbo , the trunk lock sticks on occasion otherwise no complaints

Emily P

VW Beetle is a Great car!

The comfort and features of the interior of the car are great. Driving strictly in the city does not give you good gas mileage. Aside from the fact that because this is a German engineered car and the maintenance is more expensive than any of my other vehicles, I am very pleased with the reliability and performance of my car.

Negative Owner Reviews

Kayla N

The paint is not glossy anymore in some spots

Every time I shut my car off I have to wait 30 minutes for it to start again. It uses more gas then I thought it would, especially being a diesel. My window also got stuck down. I do like the sun roof and it is more roomy than I thought it would be. I can't fit simple things in the trunk though. I have better luck fitting then in front seat

Tyler J

Easy to drive and goes faster than you would expect gas mileage is great.

Everything ends up breaking the electrical windows to seat adjustment. I do enjoy that it is a cute car but the inside always smells like crayons due to the German wax in the motor. The doors also peel and release a sticky substance that is a yellow brown color not impressed.

Leah W

Unsure investment for the future.

It has a lot of power and it is reliable. Because of its shape and because it is diesel powered, it gets really good gas mileage, but it is getting out of shape. Not everything works anymore and it is difficult to find a mechanic here that can handle it.

Susie V

Super cute small car, I love it

The only problem I have with my car is that it shifts really hard. I get amazing gas mileage. It's quite roomy for a small little car. The features aren't too bad, I just wish mine had the arm rest in between the seats. Other than that, everything is super comfortable in the car!

Melanie L

It requires a lot of upkeep. It was costly to fix because parts are expensive.

It's older but it still runs. Broke down frequently for a while and was costly to fix. It's running well at the moment but I had to have the transmission fixed.

Michelle C

She has a great engine and I love the bug!

The inside door and dash are falling apart. The hard plastic cant take the heat. The air don't work. The engine is great. The paint job sucks. I love the bug, I refuse to call it a beetle.

Destiny L

I really like that it is turbo, it is a beetle so you wouldn't expect that.

The main problems I experience are electrical problems. I love that it is good on gas though, I spend 20 a week on gas and it only takes 40 to fill it up. There are seat warmers and it runs nice it is also a turbo which comes in handy sometimes. There are a few problems when it comes to stopping there is a weird noise which I believe comes from the spoiler that comes out when needed and the lowers back into the car when not needed.

Mandy C

Strong little car gets you where you got to go very dependable.

Falling apart for its age but gets you where you got to go. Good on gas. A lot of minor problems nothing major. Is dependable car has fast pick up speed is pretty roomy for a small vehicle. Just inside parts need to be replaced has strong motor good on miles with high miles build tough for a car.

Volkswagen Beetle Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

GL

115 HP 26-26 MPG 4 Seats

GLS

150 HP 26-26 MPG 4 Seats

Sport

150 HP 28-28 MPG 4 Seats

GLX

150 HP 26-26 MPG 4 Seats

S

180 HP 27-27 MPG 4 Seats

Photos may not match model

2002 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Reviews

4.21

42 Reviews

Write Review

5 stars

48%

4 stars

33%

3 stars

14%

2 stars

2%

1 star

2%

Tiffany B on March 16, 2021

02 Volkswagen new beetle review.

I really enjoy my vehicle it runs smoothly and shifts great. The only issues I seem to have with it is the turbo option it tends to kick my epc light on then I have to pull over and let my car rest. And the other is an issue with the turn signal it double clicks like its not working. But other than that I absolutely love my 02 Volkswagen new beetle.

Emily P on February 11, 2021

VW Beetle is a Great car!

The comfort and features of the interior of the car are great. Driving strictly in the city does not give you good gas mileage. Aside from the fact that because this is a German engineered car and the maintenance is more expensive than any of my other vehicles, I am very pleased with the reliability and performance of my car.

View All Reviews (42)

Ranks #6 Small Cars by Owners

The 2002 Volkswagen Beetle has an average owner rating of 4.29 out of 5 which ranks it #6 of 24 other Small Cars.

1

2002 Mitsubishi Mirage

5

2

2002 Volkswagen GTI

4.8

6

Tie

2002 Volkswagen Beetle

4.23

Ranks #9 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2002 Volkswagen Beetle has a combined MPG of 33 which ranks it #9 of 24 other Small Cars.

1

2002 Toyota Echo

41 MPG

2

2002 Honda Civic

40 MPG

9

Tie

2002 Volkswagen Beetle

31 MPG

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Not Rated

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Not Rated

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

2002 Volkswagen Beetle Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Positive Owner Reviews

Negative Owner Reviews

Volkswagen Beetle Models

2002 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Reviews

Ranks #6 Small Cars by Owners

Ranks #9 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

Is The 2002 Volkswagen Beetle A Good Car?

How Reliable Is The 2002 Volkswagen Beetle?

Is The 2002 Volkswagen Beetle A Good Value?

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