2016 Volkswagen Beetle

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Rating8.2

Ranked #2 in 

Compact Hatchback
Write Review
$19,595 - $45,000
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Fun to drive and easy to control

Below-average fuel economy

1.8T S is the new entry-level trim

Unique design makes it stand out

More expensive than some competitors

The trim range gets sorted out

Also has a convertible version

Rivals score better on the practicality aspect

6.3-inch infotainment screen with MirrorLink, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay functionality

Lighting Package

Default automatic post-collision braking right from the base trim

Colors pallet now has 5 more colors

Specs & Features

$19,595

price

170 hp @ 4800 rpm

horsepower

184 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

1.8L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle is a subcompact hatchback offered in 7 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $19,795. For that price, it mainly competes with the FIAT 500 and the MINI Cooper. Meanwhile, from the compact hatchback segment, the Hyundai Veloster is also a potential rival. Between 7 trims, the Beetle offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 1.8L turbocharged Inline-4 that can be coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual transmission. It is capable of making 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 210 horsepower-making 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 engine. This engine is attached to a standard 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an optional 6-speed manual transmission. The Beetle reaches 60 mph from zero in 7.6 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 6.7 seconds with the 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 engine. Depending on the powertrain, the Beetle can manage a combined fuel economy between 26 and 28 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 13 striking colors the Beetle comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The most sensible trim with proper features allocation is the SE trim with the 1.8L Turbo Engine. For a 2.0L Turbo engine, you will have to choose from the R-Line SE and R-Line SEL trims.

Trims

    Wolfsburg Edition
    $19,595 onwards
    • 16-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cross-Traffic Alert
    • Driver Lumbar support
    S
    $19,795 onwards
    • Cloth Seat trim
    Classic
    $20,195 onwards
    • 17-inch black aluminum Wheels
    SE
    $21,350 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    Dune
    $23,995 onwards
    • Parking assist
    SEL
    $25,975 onwards
    • Navigation system
    • V-Tex leatherette Seat trim
    Denim
    $25,995 onwards
    • Engine: 1.8L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 170 hp @ 4800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 184 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 28 mpg
    R-Line SE
    $25,995 onwards
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    R-Line S
    $29,790 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 6AM
    • Horsepower: 210 hp @ 5300 rpm hp
    • Torque: 207 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg
    R-Line SEL
    $31,450 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 6AM
    • Horsepower: 210 hp @ 5300 rpm hp
    • Torque: 207 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$14,895- $17,670

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.11

Horsepower

106 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

103 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$18,460- $19,200

Gasoline

7.51

137 hp @ 6100 rpm

126 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,595- $45,000

Gasoline

8.15

210 hp @ 5300 rpm

236 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

5

Read Review

$14,650- $18,480

Gasoline

7.27

89 hp @ 6200 rpm

100 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

2

Read Review

2016 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.4 sec15.6 sec-
    8.9 sec17 sec-
    2016 Scion IM

    Ranked #3

    9.03 sec-84 mph
    9.8 sec17.0 sec-

    2016 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      25 mpg34 mpg28 mpg14.5 gal.362.5/493 mi.
      32 mpg39 mpg35 mpg7.7 gal.246.4/300.3 mi.
      30 mpg37 mpg33 mpg11.1 gal.333/410.7 mi.
      2016 Scion IM

      Ranked #3

      27 mpg36 mpg31 mpg14 gal.378/504 mi.

      2016 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.100 in.
        2016 Scion IM

        Ranked #1

        170.5 in.69.3 in.55.3 in.5.5 in.102.4 in.

        2016 Hyundai Elantra GT

        Ranked #2

        169.3 in.70.1 in.57.9 in.5.5 in.104.3 in.
        155.5 in.66.7 in.59.4 in.5.5 in.98.8 in.
        106.1 in.65.5 in.61.2 in.5.2 in.73.7 in.

        2016 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.
          -45.4 cu.ft.65 cu.ft.
          15.3 cu.ft.84.4 cu.ft.-
          2016 Scion IM

          Ranked #3

          20.8 cu.ft.90.4 cu.ft.-

          2016 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            29.9 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.29.9 cu.ft.
            2016 Scion IM

            Ranked #2

            -20.8 cu.ft.-
            65 cu.ft.-65 cu.ft.
            -15.3 cu.ft.-

            2016 Volkswagen Beetle vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              833 lbs.3012 lbs.
              2016 Scion IM

              Ranked #1

              -2943 lbs.
              507 lbs.1984 lbs.
              -2315 lbs.

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              2016 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Sedan

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              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

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              #5

              2016 Volkswagen Golf

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              #7

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