Volkswagen made only minor upgrades to its popular Beetle for 1976. The car was now fully carpeted, and came with a rear window defroster and special metallic paint in addition to other standard paint colors. The front seats were redesigned for improved comfort, and the adjustments for the seat backs were improved as well. Also, the Super Beetle was discontinued.

The Beetle came with an air-cooled, rear-mounted, fuel-injected four-cylinder engine that generated 58 horsepower. A four-speed manual transmission, dual braking system, four-wheel independent suspension, and a flow-through ventilation system were also part of the package.

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.