S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Final Edition SEL 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
SE 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
SE 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Coast 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2.0T Dune Hatchback FWD
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?2.0T Dune Hatchback FWD
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Final Edition SEL 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Overall Rating
The Volkswagen Beetle is a style statement and has been iconic for a long while now. The car has its roots in Germany where it was introduced as the first car that people could afford with their wages.
The Volkswagen Beetle is a style statement and has been iconic for a long while now. The car has its roots in Germany where it was introduced as the first car that people could afford with their wages. Over time, however, the Beetle has been anything but affordable because its iconic status soon required it to turn itself into a very high-quality product that appealed to a niche market. The 2019 model year is a carry-forward model that does not undergo many changes from the 2018 model. However, the trim levels have been modified and several features have been shuffled between them.
Since the Volkswagen Beetle is available in a wide variety of trim levels with varying levels of equipment, the recommend the Final Edition SE trim level. This trim comes at an amazing price of $24,395 and includes 17 inch wheels, special cloth upholstery as well as extra badging indicating that it is the final edition. There is much more personalization packages available - a selection of certain exterior and interior details like hood stripes, and special interior trim pieces. Together, they make the Beetle quite the hatchback and a few more that are worth remembering due to its iconic design and excellent engineering.
Final Edition SEL 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Final Edition SEL 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
S 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The Volkswagen Beetle is a style statement and has been iconic for a long while now. The car has its roots in Germany where it was introduced as the first car that people could afford with their wages.
The Volkswagen Beetle is a style statement and has been iconic for a long while now. The car has its roots in Germany where it was introduced as the first car that people could afford with their wages. Over time, however, the Beetle has been anything but affordable because its iconic status soon required it to turn itself into a very high-quality product that appealed to a niche market. The 2019 model year is a carry-forward model that does not undergo many changes from the 2018 model. However, the trim levels have been modified and several features have been shuffled between them.
The Volkswagen Beetle is available as both hatchback and convertible. The hatchback is further divided into S, SE, Final Edition S, and Final Edition SEL models. The convertible version is reviewed separately. However, all four trim levels of the hatchback will be discussed here.
Volkswagen Beetle is not at all a bare-bones car even if you opt for the base trim as it comes with 16-inch wheels, adjustable driving modes, full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and so on that make it a well-equipped car. One also gets a host of safety features that include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert right from the base trim which is quite rare.
Trims |
S |
SE |
Final Edition SE |
Final Edition SEL |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$20,895 |
$24,395 |
$24,395 |
$25,995 |
Features |
Cloth upholstery |
17-inch wheels |
Unique 17-inch wheels |
18-inch wheels |
|
16-inch alloy wheels |
Sunroof |
Special cloth upholstery |
Heated front sport seats |
|
Heated mirrors |
Keyless ignition |
Badging changes |
Genuine leather upholstery |
|
Blind spot monitoring |
Simulated leather upholstery |
Stainless steel pedals |
|
|
Rear cross-traffic alert |
Dual zone automatic climate control |
|
|
|
Tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel |
Heated front seats |
|
|
|
Automatic climate control |
6.3-inch display screen |
|
|
|
Bluetooth connectivity |
HD and satellite radio |
|
|
|
Smartphone app integration |
|
|
|
|
5-inch display screen and eight-speaker sound system with HD radio, a USB port, and an auxiliary input jack. |
|
|
|
We Recommend
Since the Volkswagen Beetle is available in a wide variety of trim levels with varying levels of equipment, the recommend the Final Edition SE trim level. This trim comes at an amazing price of $24,395 and includes 17 inch wheels, special cloth upholstery as well as extra badging indicating that it is the final edition. There is much more personalization packages available - a selection of certain exterior and interior details like hood stripes, and special interior trim pieces. Together, they make the Beetle quite the hatchback and a few more that are worth remembering due to its iconic design and excellent engineering.
There is only one engine offered on the Volkswagen Beetle, and that is a 2.0 L four-cylinder gasoline engine that generates 174 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. The transmission which comes as standard is a six-speed automatic transmission and there is no other available as an option. This is capable of doing 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds which makes it quite quick for its class.
Although the 2 L engine is nothing spectacular, it is very peppy especially in a car that is as small and light as the Volkswagen Beetle. It feels quite fast due to its art and power delivery as well which suits the nimble nature one can obtain from outside the car. The only drivetrain option available is front-wheel-drive which is similar across all the cars in this class. The performance of the Volkswagen Beetle is competitive and measures up adequately well with respect to its class.
Models |
2019 Volkswagen Beetle |
2019 Mini Cooper hatchback |
2019 Fiat 500X |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$20,895 |
$21,600 |
$19,995 |
Engine |
2.0 liter turbocharged inline-4 |
1.5 liter turbocharged inline-3 |
1.4 liter inline-4 |
Transmission |
6-speed automatic |
6-speed manual |
6-speed manual |
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
Power |
174hp @ 5000 rpm |
134hp @ 4500 rpm |
160hp @ 5500 rpm |
Torque |
184 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm |
162 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm |
184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm |
0-60 MPH |
7.4 sec |
7.4 sec |
8 sec |
Quarter mile |
15.7 sec |
14.2 sec |
16.6 sec |
Top speed |
127 |
110 |
112 |
The Volkswagen Beetle has the most powerful engine in its class but it is not anymore more expensive than any of its rivals. Even though the Volkswagen Beetle is up only by a few horsepower compared to the Fiat 500X, it translates better than we expected to real-world performance, as the car is much faster during 0 to 60 mph and for quarter-mile timings. The Mini Cooper is the slowest car in the segment when you look at it on paper, but returns the quickest acceleration in the real world. The Mini Cooper’s 0 to 60 mph time matches that of the Volkswagen Beetle but it is much faster by the time you reach the quarter-mile marker. If you count the top speed, the Mini Cooper runs out of breath and the Beetle is crowned king again.
Fuel efficiency is an area where the Volkswagen Beetle’s 2.0 L engine truly shines. Even though the gas tank is quite small it 14.5 gallons it, it is still the largest tank in the class. Combined with good fuel efficiency figures, it returns a decent range of 377 miles in the city and 479 miles on the highway. That is how fuel-efficient the engine is. It returns 26 MPG in the city, 33 on the highway, and 31 MPG combined. These are quite impressive figures and the combined cycle returns an approximate range of 420 miles which is more than what we can ask for in this category. This shows just how good Volkswagen has done a job in terms of the engine as the of also felt that the engine is quite peppy and fun to drive.
Models |
2019 Volkswagen Beetle |
2019 Mini Cooper hatchback |
2019 Fiat 500X |
---|---|---|---|
Mpg (city) |
26 |
28 |
25 |
Mpg (highway) |
33 |
38 |
33 |
Mpg (combined) |
29 |
32 |
29 |
Fuel Capacity |
14.5 |
11.6 |
12.7 |
Range (city/highway/combined) |
377/479/420 |
325/441/371 |
318/419/368 |
Even though all the cars in the category leader very excellent fuel efficiency figures, the Mini still has the lead. These three cars represent some of the most fuel-efficient cars that money can buy while still providing adequate performance. The most efficient car in the class is the Mini Cooper but the Volkswagen Beetle offers a longer range due to its larger fuel tank of 14.5 gallons. The Fiat 500X is not too far behind as it returns 25 MPG in the city and the exact same fuel efficiency everywhere else when compared to the Volkswagen Beetle. However, it loses out on range due to the Beetle having a much larger fuel tank.
The interior of the Volkswagen Beetle has always been an excellent design. Even though the cabin design is very much modern, it has a general playfulness throughout its cabin. Many of the switchgear used will be similar to what we can find in most modern Volkswagens. It is not outdated in terms of electronics and has all the necessary convenience features that one would expect from a car of this era.
The seats are spacious as well as comfortable although it lacks the very much necessary under-thigh support. However, it comes as a price that the lumbar support is quite nice. Cargo space is also quite generous at 15.4 ft.³ but its seats can be folded up to allow for more space.
Models |
2019 Volkswagen Beetle |
2019 Mini Cooper hatchback |
2019 Fiat 500X |
---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
4 |
4 |
5 |
Passenger Volume(ft. cube) |
85.1 |
102.6 |
100.1 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
39.4/55.3/41.3 |
40.3/50.6/41.4 |
39.1/54.3/41.4 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.1/49.0/31.4 |
36.9/47.8/30.8 |
37.8/52.8/34.8 |
Cargo volume behind 2nd Row (cu.ft.) |
15.4 |
8.7 |
14.1 |
Cargo volume when 2nd Row Folded (cu.ft.) |
29.9 |
38 |
39.8 |
Although all the hatchbacks are very small, none are cramped inside. Some of the competitors are way more generous in the back, especially the Fiat 500 which offers excellent legroom. It is also the only car that can accommodate five people. The Mini Cooper is o very narrow and might not suit people with a large frame. The build quality that can be observed inside the cabin is top-notch. The design details have a lot of retro elements blended beautifully against modern and functional pieces. The cargo space is practically low for every car in the comparison. The main interior features of the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle include:
Volkswagen does not just provide its latest hatchback with good interiors but also great in-car entertainment. The basic infotainment system is a 5-inch touchscreen that is user-friendly as well as equipped with straightforward controls.
There is a 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system available as an option that has a better display as well as a snappier response. The system is very responsive and quick and is also pretty functional. It offers a connected infotainment interface that has smartphone integration, easy access to social media and internet radio stations. Some of the standout infotainment features include:
The Volkswagen Beetle has the kind of appearance that does not appeal to everyone. But that is a large section of the population that consider it a very good-looking car, although the other half would wholeheartedly disagree. Although the quirky design had its fans, it was not well-received by the majority. The car has very modest dimensions but has design cues from the German icon sprinkled throughout its design.
One of the biggest advantages of having such a small car is that it is a breeze to drive around inside crowded city spaces. And for that kind of purpose, there are very few cars that can be as good as the ones we are reviewing in this article. The Volkswagen Beetle has grown a lot but still finds itself with just 168.8 inches in length, 71.9 inches in width, and 58.6 inches in terms of height. It is also light at 3012 lbs.
Models |
2019 Volkswagen Beetle |
2019 Mini Cooper hatchback |
2019 Fiat 500X |
---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lbs.) |
3012 |
2625 |
2989 |
Length (in) |
168.8 |
151.1 |
167.2 |
Width (in) |
71.9 |
68 |
79.7 |
Height (in) |
58.6 |
55.7 |
63.1 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
5.7 |
4.9 |
7.0 |
Wheelbase (in) |
100.1 |
98.2 |
101.2 |
The Volkswagen Beetle is a light car like we mentioned but is still the heaviest car of the category at 3012 lbs. Compared to this; the Mini Cooper is just 2625 lbs which is nearly 400 lbs lighter. But it is not surprising that the mini Cooper is also smaller in every dimension. What is most impressive is that the Fiat 500 X is much bigger than the Volkswagen Beetle in some dimensions but is still a very light car. The Fiat 500 X also provides the best ground clearance of the segment which gives it better off-roading capabilities than both of its counterparts. Major exterior highlights of the hatchback include-
The 2019 Volkswagen Beetle hatchback is a very well-built car that has not cut any corners in terms of safety features, which were updated for this model year as well. What has surprised us is that it is absolutely loaded in terms of safety features right from the base trim. Features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are completely missing in the feature list for many cars but the Volkswagen Beetle offers it as a standard feature. Volkswagen has generally impressed us with their regard for safety and the beetle is no exception in that. Some safety features include-
The Mini Cooper and the Beetle are two of the most iconic hatchbacks on the road. However, the Mini Cooper offers British elegance while the Beetle provides German practicality that is very hard to ignore.
The Mini Cooper is also a much better car to drive which even though is down on horsepower figures, a few more than makes up for with the real-world performance and is a hoot to drive. It also provides numerous performance and tech upgrades that are not present in the Beetle making it a much more customizable car. One advantage the Beetle has over the Cooper is cargo space. Maintenance costs for the Volkswagen are also significantly cheaper than the Mini Cooper.
The Fiat 500X is the car for you if you appreciate a bit of off-road manners along with on-road practicality. It may be cheaper and smaller than the Beetle, but it offers one of the most intuitive infotainment systems in the market. One can also argue that the Italian design also gives it the kind of flair that is missing in any of its competitors. Some feel that the retro design in the 500 is the truest in terms of its interpretation.
The Fiat 500 is also very athletic and easy to maneuver around town. In the rear row, passengers enjoy more headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the 500X making them much more comfortable during a long journey.
The Volkswagen Beetle is a very condensed and clinical package that offers a lot in a very small car. One can see that it has several strengths including good overall performance, fuel efficiency as well as nice interiors that make it one of the best choices for urban transport. But the fact is that at more than $20,000 it is not exactly cheap but it makes up for that in terms of the quality of equipment as well as the features offered. One can certainly find way more practical cars for this price but it is hard to find anything more iconic.