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# 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Dune - Bottom Line Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-volkswagen-beetle-dune-bottom-line-review/
- Published: 2018-08-04T17:31:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-06T17:48:57.000Z
- Author: Susan Frissell
- Tags: Coupes

(Contributing Editor: George Straton)

#### 

#### Cover art on political rock singer Neil Young's 1974 album "On the Beach" prominently features a 1960's vintage Cadillac buried nose first into a beach, with only the rear tail fins above the sand. That image along with lyrics "I see bloody fountains, and ten million *dune buggies* coming down the mountains..." heralds the decline of American traditionalism and the rise of the anti-establishment movement particularly on Southern California beaches.

#### The traditional donor for the "Dune Buggy" was an air-cooled engined VW Type I Beetle with greater suspension travel, thus AKA "Baja Bug."

#### Recently automaker Volkswagen has confirmed what has been common knowledge for a while now. The new anti-establishment individualism in Southern California and pretty much elsewhere favors the Sports Utility Vehicle. Has the time has come to bury the Beetle nose first in the sand?

#### If one counts rolling over granules of remnant sand on the Highland Park Beach asphalt parking lot of Chicago's Lake Michigan North Shore, **Roadblazing.com** occupants set off for beach adventures in a **saffron** **2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune 1.8T**. Staring wistfully at the sand, the sand glared back, "*Real Baja Bugs only need apply.*"

### **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \***

*WHAT:* **2018 Volkswagen Beetle Dune 1.8T** sub-compact coupe.

Standard Power: transverse 2.0L intercooled turbocharged EA-888 DOHC 16V DI gas I-4 = 170 hp/ 184 lb-ft + 6-spd. Tiptronic manumatic shifting automatic planetary transaxle.

GONE for 2018: Manual transmissions & last year's more powerful RS model.

*WHAT \[A\] STYLING \[DIFFERENCE\]:*

![2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Colored in Sandstorm Yellow Metallic, probably the last special edition Beetle is the most assertive yet.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2017-Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-ext-sidebyside-004d.jpg)

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Colored in Sandstorm Yellow Metallic, probably the last special edition Beetle is the most assertive yet.

**√** 2013 brought a "Manned-Up" Mk. II restyle of the retro arc hooded and roofed Kafer Type I People's 3-door coupe partly by lowering the stance and widening the body and track; **√** Conjuring images of even more intrepid beach racing meant raising the chassis up again by 1/2"; **√** Dark honeycomb lower fascia grille and accents; **√** Imitation brushed metal skid-plates; **√** Ruggedized integrated side skirts pay tribute to Classic Beetle's running boards; **√** Wheel arches cladding stands in high contrast to Sandstorm Yellow Metallic paint-job; **√** Lettering "Dune" inscripted on each door; **√** Upper half of round headlight housing trimmed in white LEDs for halo effect;

*WHY*: *A New Beetle which inspires dreams of Hanging Ten.*

*WHEN:* On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Autumn 2017

*WHERE:* VW new vehicle dealers

*WHERE MADE*: Puebla, Mexico

*HOW ROADWORTHY:* a 2.0L turbocharged DOHC EA888-3 gas inline 4-cylinder with lower turbo boost makes decent shove at low engine revs. There's even a pseudo rear air cooled boxer-4 sound; The 6-spd. Tiptronic transaxle is no DSG, it sacrifices super quick for super smooth.

The tuned for compliance fully independent front strut control arm suspension, is a relic from Mk. VI Golf days; Longer suspension travel copes with the fractionally higher clearance; With linear but numb steering, turn-in is ponderous and an abundance of understeer awaits; Yes it feels worlds' behind the ability of the new MQB platform; Pedal reaction from 4-wheel disc brakes is somewhat daft; Slight wind whistle penetrates the frameless door windows into an otherwise placid cabin.

*HOW FAR:* **29** combined **m**iles **p**er **g**allon

*HOW BIG/ LITTLE:* **√** It's a personal coupe; **+1** Front seats fold and slide forward for rear seat access, something that no Ford Mustang can boast; **+1** Survivable 2nd Row headroom; -**1** Personal coupe scant rear seat legroom.

![2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Front fold & slide for rear seat access. Note the hanging B-pillar grab straps.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2017-Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-seats-rear-entry004d.jpg)

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Front fold & slide for rear seat access. Note the hanging B-pillar grab straps.

*HOW USEFUL:* **√** It's a Hatchback. A liftgate opens to a deep but narrow cargo space but liftover is excessive ; **√** 50/50% split folding rear seatbacks for cargo expansion; Low cowl & belt-line = **+1** Forward visibility & minimized side; **\-1** Thick B-pillar rear side blind-spots; -**1** Rear seat backs don't fold flat; Tow Rating: Not Rated.

![2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Low cargo load floor accommodates some taller pieces](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2017-Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-cargo005d.jpg)

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Low cargo load floor accommodates some taller pieces

*HOW SAFE*: **√** 6 airbags; **√** IIHS Safety Pick +; **√** Rear camera (available Driver Assist pkg. = forward collision warning, Park Pilot sonar park guidance & adaptive cruise control

![2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Park Pilot fore and aft sonar visual and audible park assist w/ rear camera](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2017-Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-park-assist-rear-camera004d.jpg)

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Park Pilot fore and aft sonar visual and audible park assist w/ rear camera

*HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:* **√** Heated, manual adjust sport front bucket seats; **√** Front seat rotary knob lumbar adjustment; **√** Leather w/ yellow contrast stitching tilt/ telescoping steering wheel with spoke integrated tactile redundant controls; **√** Oversized analog speedometer w/ embedded Trip Meter, flanked by analog tachometer and fuel gauges; **NEW FOR 2018**: *2-zone auto climate control & keyless access / push-button ignition*.

*Cool Gizmo(s)*: **√** Variable color night door speaker housing illumination; **√** Classic Beetle style rear seat access B-pillar grab straps; **√** Felt lined door pockets minimizes change or keys jingle jangling; **√** Retracting liftgate VW emblem release lever conceals rear camera lens.

![2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Driver's entry; Careful with the heavy door.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2017-Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-entry-drivers004d.jpg)

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Driver's entry; Careful with the heavy door.

*Details Done Right*: **√** Matching Sandstorm Yellow Metallic cabin dashboard and door panels; **√** Yellow contrasting seat piping & accent stitching; seating surfaces w/ metallic controls; **√** Broad tight webbed pillar & headliner fabric;

*Nearly Non-Descript*: **\-1** Low-contrast faux carbon fiber appliques; **\-1** Coarse grain plastic cabin trim.

*HOW "APP" -LICABLE:* **√** 6.5" capacitive touch LCD infotainment screen w/ gesture control; **√** Voice command hands-free communications; **√** Android Auto, Apple Car Play & MirrorLink smart phone apps; **√** Subscription based VW Car-Net telematics; **√**; 400W 9 speaker Fender audio pounds out taut depth but loses on separation, **√** USB x 1, 12V x 3, 115V x 1.

![2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Slacker Radio is one of 4 free subscription streaming broadcast music apps included w/ Android Auto](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/08/RB-2017-Volkswagen-Beetle-Dune-AndroidAuto-audio-Slacker005d.jpg)

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Dune: Slacker Radio is one of 4 free subscription streaming broadcast music apps included w/ Android Auto

*HOW MUCH: *$26,685** \= **2018 Volkswagen Beetle Dune 2.0T**; Now monospec.

*WHAT'S MISSING:* Manual transmission; Dune buggy lift & dune tires;

*ANY COMPETITION:* **FIAT 500C**: **+1** Italian flavor; **MINI Cooper**: **+1** "on rails" handling, enthusiast cult following