2013 Volkswagen Beetle vs. Its Competition

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible first drive

Meta Rating 8 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

Nelson Ireson

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Nelson is a Senior Editor at High Gear Media focusing on reviewing cars and covering the hottest topics in luxury and performance cars, car culture... More

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Dec 4, 2012

Pinning down the Beetle's genre-crossing nature to a handful of competitors is tough.

The closest alternative is certainly the MINI Cooper, which can be had in an even wider array of body variants, including wagon and coupe forms, but with a similar fun, image-centric design and even sportier handling.

The MINI is considerably smaller and more expensive, however.

On a different, but similar, tack, there's the Ford Mustang.

Also image-aware but with markedly more sporty performance, the Mustang checks many of the same boxes, while still being competitive on gas mileage, at least in V-6 form.

Nissan's funky-looking Juke might even make the list for some Beetle shoppers, but its stiff ride and poor gas mileage might cut it out of contention.

Finally, there's the Audi TT, which actually shares a bit of the Beetle's look, but in a more sophisticated package--at a similarly more sophisticated price.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Audi TT Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Ford Mustang Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Nissan Juke Get FREE Price Quote	2013 MINI Cooper Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8 The 2013 Beetle Turbo and TDI rightfully stir some excitement, especially with new convertible variants offered, but the base model's still a bit boring.	8 The 2013 Audi TT RS is the star on track, but all TT models offer fun and efficiency, plus a welcome dash of style.	8.4 Don't let the brash sound and classic looks fool you; the Ford Mustang offers some of the best performance-car bang for the buck--delivered with surprising sophistication.	7 The 2013 Nissan Juke is road candy, from its zippy powertrain to its wacky looks--but tight space and low real-world gas mileage leave an aftertaste.	8 The 2013 MINI Cooper models are small-car standouts in style and driving fun, and with several body styles and three different levels of performance you can pick your level of potency and practicality.
MSRP From
$19,995	$38,650	$22,200	$20,280	$19,700
Gas Mileage
21 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy	15 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy	25 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy	26 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I5	Turbocharged Gas I4	Gas V6	Gas Turbocharged I4	Gas I4
EPA Class
Subcompact car	Subcompact Cars	Compact	Small Station Wagon	Minicompact
Style Name
2dr Man 2.5L	2dr Coupe S tronic quattro 2.0T Premium Plus	2dr Coupe V6	5dr Wagon CVT S FWD	2dr Coupe
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	All Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
4	4	4	5	4
Passenger Doors
2	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Coupe	Coupe	Coupe	Crossover	Hatchback
Transmission
Manual	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Manual	Continuously Variable Ratio	Manual