2013 Volkswagen Beetle

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Rating8.1

Ranked #2 in 

Compact Hatchback
Write Review
$19,995 - $32,970
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Sui generis exterior design

Disappointing performance with the base engine

Added diesel engine

Attractive interior layout and big cargo capacity

The rear seats are tiny and not suitable for tall folks

Fender Edition trim added for the 2013 year

Stores more fuel than fellow rivals

Specs & Features

$30,295

price

140 hp @ 4000 rpm

horsepower

236 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

torque

6-Speed Automated Manual

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 6AM

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback is a subcompact hatchback offered in 5 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $19,995. For that price, it mainly competes with the Mini Cooper S hatchback, the FIAT 500 hatchback, and the Hyundai Veloster hatchback from the compact hatchback segment. Between 5 trims, the Beetle offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 2.5L Inline-5 capable of making 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 200 horsepower-making 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 engine. The former engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission by default or an available 6-speed automatic transmission whereas the latter is mated to a default 6-speed manual transmission or an available 6-speed automated manual transmission. There is also a diesel engine on offer. The Beetle reaches 60 mph from zero in 9.0 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 6.4 seconds with the 2.0L Turbo Inline-4. Depending on the powertrain, the Beetle can manage a combined fuel economy between 24 and 25 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 11 striking colors the Beetle comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The trim range can be further expanded depending on the packages attached with the base and Turbo trims. That said, we are eyeing the Beetle Turbo trim with Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation trim. Some of the features offered with it are a power sunroof, SiriusXM, leather seats, the Fender sound system, navigation system, and more.

Trims

    Base
    $19,995 onwards
    • 18-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • V-Tex leatherette Seat trim
    Turbo
    $24,370 onwards
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    Fender Edition
    $24,440 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • Cloth/Leatherette Seat trim
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/HD/Satellite
    • Sliding & tilting glass Sunroof
    50's Edition
    $26,095 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 5cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 170 hp @ 5700 rpm hp
    • Torque: 177 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.9 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg
    Technology
    $26,695 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 5cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 170 hp @ 5700 rpm hp
    • Torque: 177 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.9 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg
    70's Edition
    $28,595 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 5cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 170 hp @ 5700 rpm hp
    • Torque: 177 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.9 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg
    Man
    $29,195 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl 6M
    • Horsepower: 140 hp @ 4000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 236 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.4 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 32 mpg
    R-Line
    $30,135 onwards
    • 19-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/HD/Satellite
    • Sliding & tilting glass Sunroof
    2.0T
    $32,295 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl 6A
    • Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5100 rpm hp
    • Torque: 207 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.1 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg
    60s Edition
    $32,395 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl 6AM
    • Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5100 rpm hp
    • Torque: 207 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.1 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 24 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$19,995- $32,970

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.06

Horsepower

210 hp @ 5300 rpm

Torque

236 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$16,195- $26,095

Gasoline

7.77

101 hp @ 6500 rpm

98 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

4

Read Review

$15,425- $19,790

Gasoline

7.14

117 hp @ 6600 rpm

106 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

$24,200

Gasoline

6.9

263 hp @ 5500 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$14,720- $17,050

Gasoline

7.36

100 hp @ 6000 rpm

98 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,990- $25,990

Gasoline

7.89

188 hp @ 5600 rpm

177 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$15,495

Gasoline

7.18

94 hp @ 6000 rpm

89 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

4

Read Review

$14,370- $17,280

Gasoline

7.56

106 hp @ 6000 rpm

103 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,275- $22,415

Gasoline

7.14

132 hp @ 6000 rpm

128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

2013 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8 sec--
    6.5 sec--
    7.7 sec--
    8.3 sec16.5 sec115 mph
    9 sec17 sec-
    9 sec--

    2013 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      22 mpg31 mpg25 mpg14.5 gal.319/449.5 mi.
      2013 Scion IQ

      Ranked #1

      36 mpg37 mpg37 mpg8.5 gal.306/314.5 mi.
      2013 Fiat 500

      Ranked #2

      27 mpg40 mpg34 mpg10.5 gal.325.5/420 mi.
      30 mpg37 mpg33 mpg11.1 gal.333/410.7 mi.
      2013 Mazda 2

      Ranked #4

      28 mpg35 mpg32 mpg11.3 gal.327.7/395.5 mi.
      27 mpg33 mpg29 mpg10.6 gal.286.2/349.8 mi.

      2013 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        168.4 in.71.2 in.58.5 in.5.7 in.99.9 in.
        177.6 in.69.7 in.57.5 in.4.7 in.103.9 in.
        171.9 in.69.5 in.61 in.5.8 in.102.4 in.

        2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

        Ranked #3

        169.3 in.70.1 in.57.9 in.5.5 in.104.3 in.
        162.4 in.69.5 in.61.8 in.7 in.99.6 in.
        161.6 in.66.7 in.60 in.5 in.98.4 in.

        2013 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          15.4 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.29.9 cu.ft.
          10.5 cu.ft.86.7 cu.ft.35.9 cu.ft.
          2013 Fiat 500

          Ranked #2

          9.5 cu.ft.75.6 cu.ft.30.2 cu.ft.
          20.6 cu.ft.90.8 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.
          19.8 cu.ft.94.2 cu.ft.49.4 cu.ft.
          17 cu.ft.94.6 cu.ft.42.8 cu.ft.

          2013 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            29.9 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.29.9 cu.ft.-
            57.3 cu.ft.20.6 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.-
            42.8 cu.ft.17 cu.ft.42.8 cu.ft.-
            146.7 cu.ft.10.5 cu.ft.35.9 cu.ft.78 ft.
            25.7 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.25.7 cu.ft.-
            49.4 cu.ft.19.8 cu.ft.49.4 cu.ft.-

            2013 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -828 lbs.2939 lbs.
              1500 lbs.850 lbs.2844 lbs.
              --3281 lbs.
              --2295 lbs.
              2013 Scion IQ

              Ranked #2

              --2127 lbs.
              -915 lbs.2959 lbs.

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              Horsepower : 170 hp @ 5700 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

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