Crash Test 1998 - 2010 Volkswagen Beetle IIHS

Volkswagen New Beetle
1998-2008 models mfg. after Jun. 1998
FRONTAL OFFSET TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Good
Structure/safety cage Injury measures Restraints/dummy kinematics
Head/neck Chest Leg/foot, left Leg/foot, right
Good Good Good Good Good Good

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.
Test details:

The Volkswagen New Beetle was reincarnated for the 1998 model year.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of the New Beetle in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier. (Note: following discussion about restraint system performance in an initial offset test, Volkswagen changed the size of the driver airbag vent hole. Cars manufactured after June 1998 are equipped with the revised airbag design. Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door.)

The Institute conducted a second crash test using a New Beetle equipped with the revised airbag. This evaluation covers both tests. Ratings are based on the second test.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled in both tests. In the second test, the dummy's head brushed the window sill as it rebounded toward the driver seat.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the neck, chest, and both legs indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag, indicating that injuries to the head would be possible in the first test. Head acceleration from the dummy's head brushing the window sill was low in the second test.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Crash
• Test
• 1998
• Present
• Volkswagen
• Beetle
• IIHS

[l3utterfly555]

i totalled a yellow 1999 beetle you can see pics on it under my videos. went air born into a double sided ditch at 80Km's an hour 17 000 bucks worht of damage mainly because the fans caught fire and i walked out wiht only some minor bruces and a seat belt mark. A+++++++ for safety i bought anohter one with my insurance money

[babyfrootloops]

i just wanted to let everyone know that i used to have a 2001 Silver new beetle that was totaled a month ago in a right side front offset collision going about 40 MPH. it was over $8,000 worth of damage, however i ended up without a scratch!

the airbags are surprisingly soft, however my windows where up when the accident happened, and so the whole car was filled with the disgusting smelling powder.

the doors all unlocked themselves, so other people helped me out... i was VERY shaken!

[counterclockwise123]

This is not the present Beetle. A title change is needed.

[worthmor]

I like the retro Beetles better!

[NewDisneySucksHard]

cute car

[madhatter0110]

VW Beetles are in the shop more often than on the road. I guess that makes it less likely to be in an accident with one...

[Annihilator1111]

the 1997-present Volkswagen New Beetle is assembled in

1997- 1999: Wolfsburg, Germany

 1998 - 2010: Puebla, Mexico 2010 - present: Hai Phong, Vietnam

[Ferrariman601]

I have a 1999 New Beetle (same color as this one too!). After seeing this video, I feel even safer in it. You can feel right away when you sit in it that it's a pretty solid bit of kit, but this video makes me pretty confident that I'd be alright if something bad ever happened. It's a really fun car too. Loads of fun to drive and everyone who sees it always gets a smile on their face. 

[skoggit]

I bought me a 2005 Volkwagen New Beetle about 3 months ago, I am 6' 00" tall and weigh 265lbs. and I have no trouble at all getting in and out of it and I am still amazed at how much room it has. It is also a fun car to drive.

[LoveTheCity123]

What I don't understand is why Volkswagen doesn't put side curtain airbags in the Beetles ... It would make them a lot more safer ..

[msHARRYjudd]

@heatflowers171 you'll definitely fit. My dad is 6'2" and he drove my bug just fine!

[msHARRYjudd]

@l3utterfly555 I totaled mine ('99, yellow) a few weeks ago. We can't afford another car just yet, but I'll definitely be getting another.