2018 Volkswagen Beetle vs 2018 Volkswagen Golf

2018 Volkswagen Beetle

2018 Volkswagen Golf

Select style

Coast Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Beetle Coast Automatic	26	33	$22,194	$23,120
Beetle Dune Automatic	26	34	$25,719	$26,790
Beetle S Automatic	26	33	$19,411	$20,220
Beetle SE Automatic	26	33	$23,058	$24,020
Beetle Convertible Coast Automatic	26	33	$25,766	$26,840
Beetle Convertible Dune Automatic	26	34	$30,807	$32,090
Beetle Convertible S Automatic	26	33	$24,422	$25,440
Beetle Convertible SE Automatic	26	33	$26,917	$28,040

Select style

1.8T S Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Golf 1.8T S Automatic	24	33	$21,129	$22,010
Golf 1.8T S Manual	25	34	$20,073	$20,910
Golf 1.8T SE Automatic	24	33	$23,765	$24,755
Golf 1.8T SE Manual	25	34	$22,709	$23,655
Golf Alltrack 1.8T S DSG	22	30	$25,973	$27,055
Golf Alltrack 1.8T S Manual	21	30	$24,918	$25,955
Golf Alltrack 1.8T SE DSG	22	30	$29,630	$30,865
Golf Alltrack 1.8T SE Manual	21	30	$28,574	$29,765
Golf Alltrack 1.8T SEL DSG	22	30	$34,234	$35,660
Golf GTI 2.0T Automaticbahn DSG	24	32	$34,723	$36,170
Golf GTI 2.0T Automaticbahn Manual	25	33	$33,667	$35,070
Golf GTI 2.0T S DSG	24	32	$26,414	$27,515
Golf GTI 2.0T S Manual	25	33	$25,357	$26,415
Golf GTI 2.0T SE DSG	24	32	$30,308	$31,570
Golf GTI 2.0T SE Manual	25	33	$29,252	$30,470
Golf R 2.0T DSG w/DCC/Nav	22	29	$39,250	$40,885
Golf R 2.0T Manual w/DCC/Nav	21	29	$38,193	$39,785
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Automatic	24	33	$21,874	$22,785
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Automatic 4MOTION	22	29	$24,033	$25,035
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Manual	25	34	$20,818	$21,685
Golf SportWagen 1.8T S Manual 4MOTION	22	31	$22,977	$23,935
Golf SportWagen 1.8T SE Automatic	24	33	$26,227	$27,320
Golf SportWagen 1.8T SEL Automatic	24	33	$29,035	$30,245

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$22,194

$21,129

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$23,120

$22,010

Monthly Payment Estimate

$385 / month

$367 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.5

Read Our Full Review

6.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Volkswagen Beetle is a competent small car that’s showing its age. The same could be said for every other Beetle on the road and that hasn’t stopped it yet, has it?

There's a VW Golf for everyone, and they're even better for 2018 thanks to a big tech upgrade inside.

TCC Likes

Relative value among small cars
Superlative warranty
Smooth ride

Functional, roomy interior
Great powertrains
Polished road manners

TCC Dislikes

Style isn’t for everyone
Chintzy interior materials
No more R-Line engine

Conservative looks
Golf R is pricey
Rear seats don't fold quite flat

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

24 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

85.1

93.5

Front Leg Room (in)

41.3

41.2

Second Head Room (in)

37.1

38.1

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.9

Front Head Room (in)

39.4

38.4

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.3

55.9

Second Leg Room (in)

31.4

35.6

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.1

59.8

Wheelbase (in)

100.1

103.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.9

70.8

Track Width, Front (in)

62.2

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.7

5.4

Length, Overall (in)

168.8

167.6

Height, Overall (in)

58.6

58.2

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

15.4

17.4

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

29.9

53.7

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.7

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

14.5

13.2

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

35.8

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/55HR17

P195/65HR15

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P215/55HR17

P195/65HR15

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3020

3023

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

15 X 6

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

15 X 6

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

330

480

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

140

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

184 @ 1500

199 @ 1600

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/121

1.8 L/110

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

174 @ 5000

170 @ 4500

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.46

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.23

3.87

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.56

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.19

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.51

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.14

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

Summary

Vehicle Name

Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Golf

Body Style

Hatchback

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)