Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet (2013-2019) Review

Written by Andrew Brady
Quick overview
Pros
- Retro styling sets it apart from the mass market
- Fun ownership experience
- Relatively practical for a convertible
Cons
- Rather expensive for what it is
- A Volkswagen Golf is cheaper and more practical
- Ride quality suffers on large wheels
Overall verdict on the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
"Thanks to its divisive styling, high price tag and limited practicality, the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet is never going to be anything other than a niche purchase. If you like the looks and the idea of a topless Beetle, there’s plenty to love here."

Cars like the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet are a dying breed. Take a look at the Volkswagen range in 2020 and you’ll see just one convertible. It’s the T-Roc Cabriolet and it’s based on a compact crossover.
The fact is, not enough of you bought the Beetle Cabriolet, which is why production ceased in 2019. But the fact that you’re here suggests you might be interested in the topless Beetle, so why should you choose it over the Beetle coupe?
Practicality isn’t going to be high on your list of priorities in either car, so you can probably put up with the fact that the Cabriolet offers a smaller boot. More positive is the fact that there’s enough room in the cabin for four adults, even with the roof up. It’s not cavernous, but it’s far more spacious than the MINI Convertible.
The styling is divisive, but the low stance and wide haunches give the Beetle Cabriolet a unique and modern look, without being overly retro. Although it’s a little short on personalisation options, there are enough colours and wheel choices for you to stamp your mark on the car.
Inside, the cabin isn’t as bold or individual as the outside, but the quality is on par with other Volkswagen models. Although the entry-level version is well-equipped, we’d recommend the mid-range Design trim for the fact that the dashboard, door cards and steering wheel are finished in the same colour as the exterior.
We also like the circular air vents and the storage compartment in the dashboard, which is a subtle but effective nod to the original Beetle. The Sport and R-Line trims give the Beetle a sporting character it can’t live up to, while the Dune features raised suspension to deliver a softer ride.
Speaking of which, you’ll want to avoid the 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels, as these serve to ruin the otherwise good ride quality. It’s not cushion-soft, but the suspension is nicely set-up for boulevard cruising and high-street posing.
There’s a broad choice of engines to choose from, ranging from efficient and punchy diesel engines to a seriously quick 220PS 2.0-litre TSI petrol. We’d recommend the 1.4-litre TSI petrol if you spend time in and out of the city, or the impressive 1.2-litre TSI petrol if most of your time is spent in town.
What are the drawbacks? Well, practicality is never going to be a Beetle Cabriolet's strong point and there’s the not-so-small matter of the high prices when the car was new. Although we can’t do anything about the amount of space, we can tell you that the Beetle Cabriolet is more affordable to buy used.
It’s not as fun to drive as the MINI Convertible, but it feels slightly more upmarket and offers more space. You’ll also enjoy a tad more exclusivity if you opt for the Volkswagen.
If you're looking for the hard top version, you need our Volkswagen Beetle review.
Is the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet right for you?
What’s the best Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet model/engine to choose?
What other cars are similar to the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet?
Comfort and design: Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet interior
"In standard form, the interior of the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet is nowhere near as bold as the exterior styling. It’s all a bit grey and predictable, although the three-spoke steering wheel, stacked circular instruments and round air vents are neat touches."

Upgrading to Design trim is worth it, if only for the door panels, upper dashboard and steering wheel inserts that are matched to the exterior colour. There are also chrome details for the door speaker surrounds, air vents, door handles and gear lever gaiter.
By far our favourite touch is the storage compartment in the dashboard directly above the glove box. It’s a subtle but evocative nod to the original Volkswagen Beetle. Little details matter.
Some models also get a three-dial ‘Sport’ instrument panel on the top of the dashboard. The dials show oil temperature and turbocharger boost, as well as a stopwatch that measures journey time.
The driving position is spot on, with height-adjustable seats as standard across the range. The fabric seats on the entry- and mid-range versions are comfortable, but sport seats on the higher trim levels provide more support.
Manual air conditioning comes as standard, but the dual-zone climate control provides more flexibility, especially if you’re running the Beetle Cabriolet through the winter. Speaking of which, a winter pack is a must-have upgrade, as it features heated front seats and heated windscreen washer jets.
Overall, the Beetle Cabriolet boasts a comfortable cabin for all four occupants. That’s more than you can say for the MINI Convertible.
Quality and finish
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, sat nav and stereo in the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
Space and practicality: Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet boot space
Handling and ride quality: What is the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet like to drive?
"There’s no doubt that the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet feels more at home on a boulevard than it does on a twisty country lane, but it’s far nicer to drive than the old model. That said, the MINI Convertible remains the default choice for pure driving pleasure."

The ride is a little on the firm side, but you can mitigate the effects of this by avoiding the larger wheels. The 19- and 20-inch alloys might look the part, but your spine will thank you for choosing one of the 17-inch or 18-inch versions. Don’t worry, you don’t have to go as far as the 16-inch steel wheels – you’re entitled to a little glamour.
We’d also avoid the R-Line trim, introduced in 2016. Although it looks the part, with its body-coloured rear diffuser, chromed twin exhausts and rear spoiler, the sports suspension writes cheques it cannot cash.
If anything, we’d opt for the Beetle Dune, also introduced in 2016. It was comically expensive when new, but the 10mm increase in ride height helps to cushion you from the imperfections in the road, creating a more supple ride quality.
Overall, the Beetle Convertible feels roughly the same to drive as the Beetle coupe, thanks in no small part to some extra bracing. This is high praise, because removing the roof from a car designed as a tin-top can lead to a rather flexible and wobbly driving experience. It helps that the Beetle is based on a platform shared with the Golf.
The roof lowers in 9.5 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph. Should you get caught in a rain shower, you’ll be pleased to know that it closes in 11 seconds, so you won’t be left looking like a drowned rat. You don’t want to spoil that expensive haircut.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet?
Refinement and noise levels
Safety equipment: How safe is the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet?
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet cost to run?
"The official fuel economy figures were sourced using the less reliable NEDC testing system, so they need to be taken with a pinch of salt. That said, the diesel engines should be cheap to run."

On paper, the 110PS 2.0-litre TDI is capable of returning 65.7mpg on a combined cycle. Even the 150PS 2.0-litre TDI in R-Line trim could return 58.9mpg, regardless of the transmission.
The petrol engines are reasonably efficient, especially the 105PS 1.2-litre TSI, which could return up to 54.3mpg, depending on the trim. It’s best to avoid the 220PS 2.0-litre TSI if you’re on an economy drive, as a claimed figure in the low 40s will mean mid-30s in reality.
Insurance groups and costs
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet?
How much should you be paying for a used Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet?
"Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet prices start from around £10,000. For this budget you can get your hands on an early 2013 or 2014 car with up to 50,000 miles on the clock. The Beetle Cabriolet tends to be used a little more sparingly than other Volkswagens, but although the mileage might be lower, you need to check that previous owners have stuck to the service schedule."

You’ll need a budget of around £14,000 for a post-facelift Beetle Cabriolet, but the price isn’t the biggest issue. Sales of the Beetle Cabriolet slowed to a trickle at the end of the production run, so you might struggle to find a 2018 or 2019 car. The key is to be patient, but buying an earlier car will give you a greater choice of engines and specs.
Trim levels and standard equipment
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