2010 Ford Mustang vs 2009 Volkswagen Beetle

2010 Ford Mustang

2009 Volkswagen Beetle

Select style

2-Door Conv GT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Mustang 2-Door Conv GT	16	24	$30,706	$33,395
Mustang 2-Door Conv GT Premium	16	24	$33,406	$36,395
Mustang 2-Door Conv Shelby GT500	14	22	$46,686	$51,725
Mustang 2-Door Conv V6	18	26	$24,406	$26,395
Mustang 2-Door Conv V6 Premium	18	26	$27,106	$29,395
Mustang 2-Door Coupe GT	16	24	$26,206	$28,395
Mustang 2-Door Coupe GT Premium	16	24	$28,906	$31,395
Mustang 2-Door Coupe Shelby GT500	14	22	$42,236	$46,725
Mustang 2-Door Coupe V6	18	26	$19,906	$21,395
Mustang 2-Door Coupe V6 Premium	18	26	$22,606	$24,395

Select style

2-Door Automatic Blush

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
New Beetle Convertible 2-Door Automatic Blush	20	28	$25,630	$26,990
New Beetle Convertible 2-Door Automatic Blush PZEV	20	28	$25,630	$26,990
New Beetle Coupe 2-Door Automatic S	20	29	$18,470	$19,390
New Beetle Coupe 2-Door Automatic S PZEV	20	29	$18,470	$19,390
New Beetle Coupe 2-Door Manual S	20	28	$17,371	$18,290
New Beetle Coupe 2-Door Manual S PZEV	20	28	$17,371	$18,290

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$30,706

$25,630

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$33,395

$26,990

Monthly Payment Estimate

$557 / month

$450 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.4

Read Our Full Review

7.0

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

Nostalgia is still a big part of the appeal, but the 2010 Ford Mustang is now every bit a modern, refined sport coupe.

People flock to the 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle for its looks—but performance, safety, and interior space are not its best attributes.

TCC Likes

Traditional V-8 power
Improved ride and handling
Hot new interior

Iconic design
Well-executed convertible
Roomy front seating

TCC Dislikes

No bragging rights regarding horsepower
Only five-speed transmissions
Hard plastics inside

Lackluster five-cylinder engine
Unimpressive fuel economy
Rear-seat headroom

Fuel Economy

City

16 mpg

20 mpg

Highway

24 mpg

28 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact

Mini-Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

45.0

42.1

Front Leg Room (in)

42.4

39.4

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.4

- TBD -

Second Leg Room (in)

29.8

31.5

Front Head Room (in)

38.8

40.7

Second Hip Room (in)

45.2

- TBD -

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.3

52.8

Passenger Volume (ft³)

81.0

Second Head Room (in)

36.5

37.2

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

56.1

59.1

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.6

58.5

Wheelbase (in)

107.1

98.8

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

80.1

67.9

Track Width, Front (in)

62.0

59.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

4.7

Length, Overall (in)

188.2

161.1

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

9.6

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8 x 0.75

9.1 x 0.3

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.4 x 1.18

11.0 x 0.9

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

14.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.7

35.8

Steering Type

Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

3.04

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.7

15.6

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P235/50WR18

P225/45HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P235/50WR18

P225/45HR17

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3651

3248

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Alloy

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8

17 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Alloy

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8

17 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

- TBD -

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

14.2

10.0

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

140

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

315 @ 6000

150 @ 5000

Engine Type

Gas V8

Gas I5

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

325 @ 4250

170 @ 3750

Engine Order Code

99H

Displacement

4.6L/281

2.5L/151

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Drivetrain

Rear wheel drive

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.62

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.38

3.19

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.00

2.37

Trans Order Code

44F

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.55

3.87

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.16

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.38

4.04

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.32

1.56

Trans Type

Summary

Body Style

2 Door Convertible

Vehicle Name

Ford Mustang

Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Panhard rod

Torsion Beam

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson strut

Independent

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.87

0.71

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

MacPherson Strut

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

1.34

0.91

Suspension Type - Rear

3-link solid axle

Independent

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

9.8

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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