Used Volkswagen Beetle 2012-2018 review

It’s amazing how the purpose of a car changes over time. Take the Beetle; originally conceived to get Germans motoring, it was then relaunched in the late 1990s as a stylish retro throwback before finally coming together, in its second generation here, as a more sporty offering to a Golf.

Despite going off sale in 2018, Volkswagen has hinted that its most iconic model might come back one day as an electric-only offering. However, this is now, and for those who like the abilities of a Golf but just want something a bit more stylish, a used Beetle could serve their needs perfectly. There's even a drop-top Cabriolet version, if you fancy a bit of wind-in-the-hair fun.

Unlike the Golf, the Beetle is more of a retro homage to the classic Volkswagen. This puts it up against a more exclusive set of rivals such as the Mini hatchback, but it can also be compared with the likes of the Citroën DS3.

Having access to the vast Volkswagen parts bin means the Beetle had a huge range of engines to choose from, starting with a smooth if rather slow turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol, a sprightlier 1.4 petrol, through a 1.6 or 2.0-litre diesel, or a top-of-the-range 2.0-litre turbo petrol that has a Golf GTI-rivalling 197bhp. The two 2.0-litre diesel engines, one with 108bhp and the other with 148bhp, have proved popular.

There are four trim levels to choose from for both the Beetle and the Cabriolet - Beetle/Cabriolet, Design, R-Line and a rugged Dune trim. Opt for the entry-level and the Beetle comes with 16in steel wheels, halogen headlights, electric front windows, hill-hold assist and a post-collision braking system. Inside there is semi-automatic climate control and a 6.5in touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, USB port and DAB radio. Upgrade to the Design trim and it comes with 17in alloys, front foglights and rear spoiler, while the R-Line trim adds more sporty details including 18in alloys, twin-pipe exhaust system, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and parking sensors.

The range-topping and rugged Dune Beetles get numerous exterior changes including a styling pack, rear diffuser, wheel arch protection and its own dedicated alloy wheels.

Unfortunately, the Beetle doesn’t quite have the dynamic sparkle that turns it into a sports model. The beefier steering can be a little wearisome on a long drive and doesn’t have the feedback of the best systems. The ride is also a bit on the firm side, but that doesn’t translate into minimal body roll or agile handling because the height of the car means there are plenty of body movements in the bends.

At least the interior is funkier than most Volkswagens thanks to the use of body-coloured plastic trim on the dashboard and door cards. Thankfully, all of the controls are just like they are in other Volkswagens, which means that it’s all logical to use and they have a solid feel to them. Trouble is, the sloping roof of the Beetle means rear head room is compromised and the boot is small – particularly when the Fender sound system is equipped with a big sub-woofer in the luggage area. The frameless windows let plenty of wind noise through and road noise is greater than it should be.

If you're interested in finding a used Beetle, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Prices for an early 2012 1.2 petrol Beetle start at around £4000. £5000 should find you a decent 2.0-litre diesel Beetle in either Design or Sport guise with a reasonable mileage. A 2014 0r 2015 1.4 design will be around £5000 to £9000, while Dune models are rare and expensive as far as Beetle prices go, with 2017 and final 2018 models starting from £10,000 and working up to around £16,000 for the very last versions.

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A used Beetle shouldn’t cost you too much to run provided you stick with one of the smaller engines. The 1.2-litre petrol has an official NEDC figure of 47.9mpg and £140 tax, while the 1.4 gets 42.8mpg and costs £195. You'll have to pay for the additional performance of the 2.0-litre petrol, though. Its 38.2mpg thirst and £230 annual road fund fees make it the most costly Beetle to run.

If you plan on doing lots of motorway driving, you’ll want the 1.6-litre diesel for its 65.7mpg economy and minimal £30 road tax. The more powerful 2.0-litre diesel is still pretty frugal at 57.6mpg and costs £120. Any Beetle registered after 1 April 2017 will set you back £150 in road tax no matter which engine you go for.

Volkswagen servicing costs are reasonable and you can even take advantage of fixed-price servicing on cars that are three years or older.

Either the 104bhp 1.2 or 154bhp 1.4-litre make the most sense in the Beetle. The 1.2 has enough performance for those who drive in town most of the time, while the 1.4 is better if you're often on faster roads. Diesel Beetles tend to be more expensive to buy or have a lot more miles on them, and generally aren't as sweet as the smaller petrol engines.

We’d suggest going for a Design version with 17in alloys, front fog-lights, Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and body-coloured dash and door card inserts.

Our favourite Volkswagen Beetle: 1.4 Design

For those in the market for a retro set of wheels, then look no further than the Mini. Just like the Beetle, it has a smallish boot and not a huge amount of space for those in the back. But it’s fine up front and you’re treated to a nicely finished dashboard with a really great infotainment system. On top of that, it drives with alacrity and every engine is a peach.

The Citroën DS3 and later DS 3 have value on their side and low running costs in diesel form. It’s nothing special to drive, though, unless you go for the sportier racing version.

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If you're interested in finding a used Beetle, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.