Volkswagen maintained its level of production in 1970 with 1,953,853 cars delivered worldwide and 378,222 Beetles in the U.S., of which 11,432 were Cabriolets. The 53 bhp 1493 cc engine from the 1500 model was increased in size for the U.S. market to become the 57 bhp 1585 cc engine but the model designation stayed 1500. Prices increased again, to $1839 for the 1970 Beetle Deluxe Sedan, $1929 for the Sunroof Sedan and $2245 for the Cabriolet.

A Luxus or “L” package was offered on the 1970 VW Beetle with full carpeting, twin map pockets, twin ashtrays, a passenger vanity mirror and rubber bumper strips. The engine lid now had two rows of louvers, while the convertible gained two more sets to make up for the top obscuring the original when it was lowered. A padded safety steering wheel was new. Headrests were smaller and a lock added to the glovebox.