Her + His Car Reviews
2019 Volkswagen Beetle Final Edition Convertible
Our car reviews are innovative and interesting as we provide insightful and expert reviews from both Her + His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate, women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $28,190 | Beetle Convertible Final Edition pricing starts at $27,295 for the SE and ours was $28,190. |
| Performance | |
| We experienced both the braking and handling on this 2019 to be responsive and timely. With the turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection, acceleration and engagement is seamless and strong and, it's being fueled by 174 horsepower. | All 2019 Beetle models, both convertible and coupe, are powered by a 2.0 liter 174 horsepower four cylinder engine that yes, will be more than happy to accelerate briskly as you drive it. No, it is not a race car, but it sure as heck can get out of its own way on the road. Maximum torque of 184 lb-ft is achieved at 1,600 to 3,940 rpm. All models are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 26 city miles and 33 highway miles. | The EPA-estimated fuel economy rating is 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. |
| The Car | |
| Staying true to its roots, the 2019 has grown up. An offspring of the 2012, it's more fit and muscular, spacious enough to accommodate 4 passengers. Decent leg room throughout. And the cabin quality is decent enough. Noise is a factor in the convertible but that is all to be expected, no take aways or minuses there. And, there is a bit of a blind spot in the rear window to be aware of. But the curtain is closing on the Beetle. Generations who grew up with this iconic model are all having some emotive response to the news. In an industry of big(ger) cars and sleek interiors, this model didn't compete. In the final edition, this year has a revamped trim line up and some great standard features including rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring - all welcomed! |
For me, it's heartbreaking to think that there will be no more Beetles produced after this model year. I've grown up with the Beetle--and rode in one with my cousin down a hill--no hands! Anyone who is an auto enthusiast knows that the industry is starved for uniqueness, personality, and charm, and it only gets worse daily. The Beetle was one car I could always count on to stand out from the crowd, in terms of styling, performance, handling and simply embracing the joy of driving. Unique wheels complete the exterior transformation of Beetle Final Edition models. Final Edition SE models feature 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a 15-spoke design. Inside, all Final Edition models are equipped with standard KESSY® keyless access with push-button start, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with unique "Beetle" clip, stainless steel pedal caps, Climatronic® -automatic climate control, gloss black center console, a unique Safari Uni color dashpad with the classic glovebox or "Beetle bin" that harkens to the color-matched interior treatments in the Ultima Edition, and three-color ambient lighting. Final Edition SE models feature cloth and leatherette rhombus-pattern seats. |
| Safety | |
| Major safety features include: Driver and Passenger Air Bag, Front Head Air Bag, Rear Head Air Bag, Front Side Air Bag, Rearview Camera, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Four Wheel ABS, Brake Assist, Disc Brakes, Blind Spot Monitor, Traction Control, Cross Traffic Alert, Electronic Stability Control, Park Distance Control. Also included is Intelligent Crash Response System that suspends the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and turns on the hazard lights in the event the vehicle is involved in a collision. | To help protect occupants, the Beetle Convertible provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems. It features four airbags (front airbags and head-thorax side airbags for front seat passengers), along with a number of electronic safety systems, such as an Anti-lock Braking System and Electronic Stability Control. These convertibles are reinforced front roof crossmember, strengthened A-pillar, and the Automatic Rollover Support System. Two roll-over bars are concealed behind the rear bench seat-back, activated by the computer that deploys the airbags in the case of a crash. Along with the fixed A-pillars, they help to provide protection for the occupants of all four seats within milliseconds.
Another standard feature is Volkswagen's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. This builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact-the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System helps address this, in certain crash scenarios, by applying the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus potentially reducing residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage. The Beetle Convertible also includes Volkswagen's Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in certain types of collisions. All Beetle Convertible models feature a standard rearview camera. The 2019 Beetle Convertible offers a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technology. Available features include: Blind Spot Monitor Rear Traffic Alert; and Park Distance Control. |
| Technology | |
| Push-button start. The infotainment system has a 6.3" touch screen, HD Radio, Satellite, Radio, USB port, Bluetooth hands-free, an 8-speaker Fender audio system, a USB port. VW Car-Net smartphone integration includes Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. Passengers enjoy the dual-zone climate control, as does the open air of the convertible. This model has a power folding soft top. | The 2019 Beetle Convertible is offered with an automatic transmission with Tiptronic® in four trims-S, SE, Final Edition SE, and Final Edition SEL.
All Beetle Convertible models for the 2019 model year come equipped with standard Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Traffic Alert. The Final Edition SE offers standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, KESSY® keyless access with push-button start, rhombus cloth seating surfaces with leatherette inserts, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with unique "Beetle" clip, stainless steel pedal caps and metal sill scuff plates, unique Safari Uni color dashpad, Climatronic®, gloss-black center console, Composition Media infotainment, SiriusXM® radio, Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect, and a "Beetle" badge on tailgate replaces the typical "Turbo" badge. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| Upheld with 17" gutsy aluminum alloy wheels, this muscular driven vehicle is unlike any the road has seen. The front seats are comfortable with synthetic leather upholstery and heated seats. In the back there are 2 sets of LATCH connectors for child safety seats. We mentioned earlier the limited room in the back seats - not a big surprise. | What can I say? It's classic, it's unique, it's charming, and feels more like a member of the family than just simply being a car. Inside, I found the interior to be particularly elegant, and the Final Edition features a lovely quilted design on the seats but watch out for stains. |
| Warranty | |
| Six Year/72,000 Mile Basic, Six Year/72,000 Miles Powertrain. | People First Warranty, a six-year or 72,000-mile (whichever occurs first) bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty, the remainder of which can be transferred to a subsequent vehicle owner throughout its duration. |
