2012 Volkswagen Beetle Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

Crash Test Rating

Source NHTSA

MPG (up to)

22 City / 29 -31 HWY

Source FuelEconomy.gov

Horsepower

170 -200

Seats

Positive Owner Reviews

Susan J

The vw beetle is very fun to drive.

I love the speed and fun of driving the beetle, but really hate the poor gas mileage. It is nowhere what I would expect of a compact car.

Lezlie S

It's fun! I love that people are always asking about it and telling me how cute it is

I love the fact that my car is unique. I even have white wall tires! MY only complaint is that VWs are notoriously hard to work on

Brittney C

The lights inside can be changed to red white or blue which is nice.

A few problems I encountered with the vehicle include issues with the passenger door locking and opening from the outside. The car was also recalled last year due to e brake issues. Other than that, the beetle runs smoothly, is comfortable to drive, is quick, and good on gas.

Katie D

Great, comfortable, compact car.

Pretty reliable; tires sometimes lose pressure and is hard to keep up with keeping air in them; comfortable car; great sound system. Rather spacious for such a small car; gas does not cost much to fill the tank. Trunk is big enough to fit a good amount of things.

Allison A

Classic cult car - Volkswagen beetle.

The car was bought brand new when I was in a pinch for a vehicle. Then, I realized the beetle is a classic cult car. This car is really safe and the parts are easily replaceable. It gets hot from the black interior and one time the a/c gave out. It seems like it can last for years and years reliably.

Bella B

Compact, Comfortable, and Surprisingly Roomy

My car is incredibly comfortable and honestly surprisingly roomy for a Beetle. It has excellent navigation, excellent speakers, I love the fact that it Bluetooth connects to my phone. I am a 4 foot 11 girl who has been driving this car since I was 16 and I have to use a cushion to be able to sit high enough to see everything. I originally wanted a Beetle because it would be like driving a bubble, everything is tight around me and I would have a very good judgment of how close I can get to things without hitting them.

Bella H

I think VW bugs are awesome!

I love my beetle. It is reliable and safe. It gets good gas mileage and has a large gas tank. It look very nice inside and out. It has leather seats and a very large sunroof. It has amazing features like Bluetooth and handsfree calling. I have never had any problems with it at all. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone.

Maylin R

Beetles are an amazing car.

My beetle is the best car ever. I definitely recommend getting a beetle if you can find one. It has last me for years and gets really good mileage. It is really spacious despite being a small car. And since it is a small car it is easy to drive around anywhere.

Negative Owner Reviews

Bree W

Decent but will not purchase again.

My beetle is 8 years old and in the past year I have had to put down $5,000 in necessary repairs, and just found out another $4,000 are required for the suspension. The car is barely worth half that at this point. It is comfortable enough for short drives but not more than that. The gas mileage is good and trunk space is decent for a compact car. 5-star crash test safety rating. However I would not buy this car or even a Volkswagen again.

Maya J

Volkswagen beetle: not very durable, expensive to maintain and not worth it.

Several battery issues, even when I have gone to Volkswagen to have them repaired there are always reoccurring issues of not being able to start. Very spacious and I like the design of the interior, has Bluetooth and other features that are useful such as GPS.

Ashley D

My vehicle is white with black interior. It has plenty of cup holders!

My car is fun to drive and runs well. I like the style and color. I also enjoy only needing an oil change every 10, 000 miles. I did have some issues with the ac which was difficult to replace and the cost of repairing the vehicle is high compared to other types of vehicles.

Riley H

Love the look, but have some issues

I absolutely love the style of this vehicle. People are always impressed with inside design, and it's very sleek looking outside. However, I've had several issues with noisy windows, creaking back seats, constant 'check engine' lights, and consistent issues with connecting my phone.

Keily H

The stock materials are cheap and there are no resources for fixing things yourself, you have to take it to a dealership.

It's cute and compact and drives great most of the time. Every once in a while I'll get some error with the sensors that's expensive to fix. I have less than 30k miles on it and I've spent $900 on repairs just this year.

Gaby F

It is a cute car that is okay to drive.

The vehicle overall is okay. I like the interior of the car and the seats are nice. It is a little difficult to drive, but that is fine. It is not as smooth as other vehicles I have driven. The main issue is the car has low visibility which can make driving a bit more uncomfortable.

Mary G

Light blue VW beetle 2012.

My vehicle is really visually appealing. I love the unique design and color, but it is lacking mechanically. I have had the air conditioning break down twice within my 2 years of owning it and have also experienced many issues with the gears that have yet to be checked out. The ride is very loud and bumpy due to it being so close to the ground. When I am transporting more than just myself in the car, gas mileage is terrible because it is easily weighed down.

Frankie J

2012 VW beetle is decent, especially with fuel.

The vehicle is small yet it has plenty room on the inside. It saves gas and is great for commuting. You can fit a car seat in the back but you need to move the car seat to the most forward position. All in all a decent car if your looking for something small, great on gas mileage, and good handling.

Volkswagen Beetle Models

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

Entry

170 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

Base

170 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.5L

170 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.5L w/Sun

170 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.5L w/Sound/Nav PZEV

170 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.0T Turbo

200 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.0T Black Turbo Launch Edition

200 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.0T White Turbo Launch Edition

200 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.5L w/Sun/Sound/Nav

170 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.0T Turbo w/Sun/Sound

200 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.0T Turbo w/Sound/Nav PZEV

200 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

2.0T Turbo w/Sun/Sound/Nav

200 HP 25 MPG 4 Seats

Photos may not match model

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Reviews

4.57

95 Reviews

Write Review

5 stars

69%

4 stars

20%

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Marlee W on June 8, 2021

A few problems but otherwise great.

I love my beetle but the only thing is that it is a stick shift. If I stall out on the road, sometimes I have to turn the car all the way off for it to turn back on. The Bluetooth also cuts out from time to time. Like it will just disconnect my phone for no reason.

Hanna M on June 5, 2021

Amazing car, but ignition sticks.

Overall, the car is fantastic! It took a little bit to get used to the brakes, as they’re really sensitive, but I think that is good in the long run. The only issue I have had is that the ignition sticks, and you have to have a trick to turn the car off. This, apparently, happens with a lot of 2012 beetles, and changing the cylinder only helps for a little while.

View All Reviews (95)

Pros from Owners

Anna A.

This car is compact and a great gas saver. Seems small but has a spacious interior. The sunroof is especially useful in perfect sunny days. It has a great sound system that allows me to enjoy my favorite music. It fits in any small parking space.

Melyssa P.

I love the size and comfort. It is just right for a shorter person, but also adjustable enough for my husband to drive. It also has big storage in the trunk... Room for groceries or a big trip to the laundromat. Good gas mileage and a great audio system with Bluetooth capabilities are also features I enjoy.

Bri S.

The gas mileage is good and the trim is nice looking. The dash space is better compared to older models and the trunk space is relatively good for being a compact car. I cannot think of any other pros for this vehicle.

Cons from Owners

Anna A.

My beetle is too close to the ground, other big vehicles sometimes do not see me on the road. I have gotten into a few fender benders and my car is usually the only one damaged. Not the best convenience in comfort if you have small children or any children at all.

Melyssa P.

I have had several knobs/handles and plastic cases break. The driver seat adjustment handle constantly pops off and has to be reattached. A plastic casing surrounding the hand loop in the backseat is easily cracked and often falls off.

Bri S.

Repairs are very costly. The car is 8 years old and I am having to buy a new car because in the pay year, I have put $5,000 into necessary repairs and am looking at another $4,000 for the front suspension. I am not rough with my car and treat it well, and park it under a garage. The car at this point is not worth almost half of what repairs are costing.

Ranks #4 Small Cars by Owners

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle has an average owner rating of 4.57 out of 5 which ranks it #4 of 36 other Small Cars.

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4.8

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4.76

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4.69

2012 Volkswagen Beetle

4.57

Ranks #11 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle has a combined MPG of 37 which ranks it #11 of 36 other Small Cars.

Tie

2012 Volkswagen Golf

42 MPG

Tie

2012 Volkswagen Jetta

42 MPG

Tie

2012 Volkswagen Beetle

31 MPG

Is The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle A Good Car?

It is a good vehicle, though it does eat oil slightly. Very comfortable and stylish, and handles nicely.

Karen C.

Yes it's a very good car I love it, I would buy another one if I need to I will always drive a Volkswagen

Darby D.

It has been very reliable as a daily driver and on long distance road trips. Not a maintenance heavy car.

Ashton M.

Yes, it is wonderful on gas and doesn't break down quickly at all. It is amazing and wonderful to have around

Reagan W.

It is I like it and plan on keeping it and would consider purchasing again in the future and upgrading

Nicole C.

How Reliable Is The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle?

It is very reliable. Checking the oil is slightly more necessary than in other cars due to the turbo, though.

Ashley F.

Yes it is very reliable car, so far no my cat hasn't had any problems at all it's still running after 5 years!

John S.

It has been quite reliable. One issue had to be addressed/repaired, but was covered under the warranty.

Tammy B.

It is super reliable. Good on gasoline. It has no problems at all none at all it is a wonderful car I would recommend it

Stacey S.

It does not have any problems and is reliable and have no issues with this car currently or have I in the past

Sheridan C.

Is The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle A Good Value?

I got it for $8000 used with about 78,000 miles which was a good deal as that was about $2000 less than comparable beetles.

Anne H.

It costs 4,000 and yes it was a very good deal on value like it very much I don't want to drive anything else!

Kim L.

When I purchased it used with less than 1500 miles and one year of use, it was priced around 21,000$. It has been a great vehicle for my needs.

Len P.

It costs me about $23000. It is a good price it's not too expensive but it is a good car I love it so much

Cat R.

I am unsure how much this vehicle costs. I purchased it used and consider it a good value based on that

Emily R.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the 2012 VW Beetle door lock problems?

Answer: The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is not known to have any vehicle-specific issues with the door locks. However, that doesn't mean that You're above any of the problems that all vehicle owners face, so it's very...

What's the 2012 vw beetle 2.5 Oil type?

Answer: The 2012 VW Beetle 2.5 liter 5-cylinder engine is equipped with 6.3 US quarts of 5W-40 or 5W-30 with a filter. Oil and filter changes should be scheduled every 7,500-10,000 miles or 12 months if using fully...

See all Frequently Asked Questions

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Not Rated

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Positive Owner Reviews

Negative Owner Reviews

Volkswagen Beetle Models

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Reviews

Pros from Owners

Cons from Owners

Ranks #4 Small Cars by Owners

Ranks #11 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

Is The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle A Good Car?

How Reliable Is The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle?

Is The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle A Good Value?

Related Articles for 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Frequently Asked Questions

Safety & Reliability