The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle is a front-wheel drive based on the VW Golf platform. Now available as a coupe and convertible, it comes in two trims: S and SE. The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle is stylish and refined, and provides seating for four passengers. It is a cute alternative to more traditional, compact cars; offering a long list of standard equipment, solid technological advancements and comfortable road manners. It also represents good value, combining German engineering and performance with exceptional fit and finish. All the New Beetle models can be equipped with a trunk-mounted six-disc CD changer.

The Volkswagen New Beetle has a 2.5-liter, in-line, five-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower. The 2.5-liter engine is smooth and delivers adequate, if not abundant, power in most situations. It is mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection. The power is transmitted to the front wheels through a standard easy-shifting, five-speed manual gearbox on the S models. A six-speed automatic with manual shift control is standard on the SE and optional on the S. The New Beetle has a powertrain warranty of 48 months or 50,000 miles. Its fuel economy ranges from 29 miles per gallon on highways to 20 mpg in city areas.

Minor changes are seen in the Volkswagen New Beetle for 2008. Some standard luxury features have been removed to make the vehicle more competitive. The base S level coupe comes with 16-inch alloy wheels; air-conditioning; heated exterior mirrors; power windows and locks; cruise control; a tilt and telescoping steering wheel; remote keyless entry; V-Tex leatherette seat trim; satellite radio and a CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input jack. Upgrading to the SE nets 17-inch alloy wheels; heated front seats and windshield washer nozzles; a leather-wrapped steering wheel; premium audio system; and sunroof. Some of these features are available as options for the base trim. Adequate space provided for front passengers, together with all the special features make the ride easy and enjoyable, particularly on long trips. But the New Beetle suffers from tight hiproom in the rear and a lack of useful cargo space.

Safety features include front seat-mounted head/thorax side-impact air bags; anti-lock disc brakes; active front head restraints; stability control; tire-pressure monitoring system; and daytime running lights. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the New Beetle a top score in frontal offset crash protection. The car also earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA.