Volkswagen introduced two more limited-edition Beetles for 1974, continuing a trend that had started in the early 1970s. The Love Bug was available in either Phoenix Red or Ravenna (lime) green, and came with sports wheels, special bumpers and headlights, side stripes, and special badging. The Sun Bug came with nut-brown sports seats with matching panels and carpeting, a wood-finish dashboard, sports GT wheels, and a sunroof with a wind reflector. It was painted metallic beige.

The standard Beetle received a few minor upgrades, including a softer steering wheel to improve the car's safety factor, a quieter muffler, and energy-absorbing bumpers that could return to their original shape if dinged.

The Beetle was equipped with the 1600 four-cylinder, air-cooled engine that generated 58 horsepower, as well as with a dual braking system, four-wheel independent suspension, and a flow-through ventilation system.

In addition, standard features for the Beetle included seat belts for the driver and passengers, two-speed windshield wipers with a pneumatic washer system, swiveling sun visors, coat hooks, assist straps, folding rear seats, and luggage space under the front hood and in a three-foot carpeted compartment behind the rear seats. A convertible top was optional.