Orlando Sentinel's view

Hard to imagine, but the 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle is in its ninth model year with only mild changes. Industry observers like to point to sagging sales of the Beetle as some indication that it has lost popularity, but really, what did they expect? The Beetle is doing fine for its age, and Volkswagen has done a good job of freshening the car mechanically to keep it current.

Case in point: For 2006, the Beetle finally dumps the tired 115-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder as its base engine, replacing it with a gutsy 2.5-liter, 150-horsepower five-cylinder. Gone also is the turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder: Because it had 150 horsepower, no need to keep it around as long as you have a base engine with the same specifications.

This leaves the New Beetle with two engines: the 2.5-liter five-cylinder, and the 1.9-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel. The diesel engine has just 100 horsepower, but it’s still a fuel mileage champ, EPA-rated at 37 miles per gallon city, 44 mpg highway with the manual transmission, and 35/42 with the automatic.

That said, the 2.5-liter gasoline engine isn’t bad: The test model was rated at 23 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway with a six-speed automatic transmission, and 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway with a manual one. Yes, the New Beetle gas engine gets better mileage with the automatic transmission than the five-speed manual.

The New Beetle is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf, meaning it’s front-engine, front-wheel drive. Inside, there’s nothing like the New Beetle, and that’s a compliment and a criticism. With all the glass and the optional power sunroof (part of a $1,390 package that also includes “Premium Sound” and a cold-weather package), the New Beetle interior is airy and feels roomy. Unless you’re in the back, that is: The passenger compartment of the car feels as though it’s located pretty far to the rear, meaning taller rear-seat passengers must deal with the sharply declining roof. There’s 12 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seat; fold the seat down, and it expands to 27.1 cubic feet.

The New Beetle has always been aggressively priced, and that hasn’t changed. Though the price has risen — base price for our 1998 test vehicle was $15,200, about $2,000 less than it is now — the list of standard equipment has grown proportionally. That list includes larger P205/55R-16 radial tires and alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, locks and mirrors, front and side air bags, and perhaps most impressive, an electronic stability-control system of the sort typically found on more expensive cars. For $17,180 — $17,795 with shipping — that’s a lot of car.

The test vehicle had the aforementioned sunroof, upgraded stereo and cold-weather package (heated front seats and heated windshield washer nozzles), plus the six-speed automatic transmission ($1,075) and XM satellite radio ($375). Bottom line with shipping: $20,635. Seats were black “leatherette,” which looked and felt so much like leather that I wouldn’t spend the extra money for the real thing.

The test Beetle was painted “Gecko Green,” sort of a light metallic that I liked but wouldn’t necessarily buy. Inarguably, no company has a better color palette than Volkswagen and Audi, and multiple choices have been a trademark of the New Beetle. The company points out that the front and rear of the car have been slightly restyled for 2006, giving the car “a stronger, slightly more aggressive and masculine appearance.” Really? Could have fooled me. Maybe it’s the fact that the little plastic flower vase is still on the dashboard.

On the road, the New Beetle still feels the way it always has — fairly nimble, a little top-heavy, slightly susceptible to crosswinds. Volkswagen claims a top speed of 127 mph, but I’d rather not confirm that. But it’s still fun to drive, inexpensive to buy, and easy on gas. And even though it’s nine years old, it remains one of a kind.

Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smith’s TV report airs today on Central Florida News 13.