FIAT 500 vs. Volkswagen Beetle
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the FIAT 500 and Volkswagen Beetle contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the FIAT 500 and the Volkswagen Beetle.
In comparing the FIAT 500's and the Volkswagen Beetle's specifications and ratings, the FIAT 500 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. The Volkswagen Beetle has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the FIAT 500's and the Volkswagen Beetle's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Beetle is a better car than the FIAT 500.
Pricing: A used 2019 FIAT 500 ranges from $12,190 to $20,758 while a used 2019 Volkswagen Beetle is priced between $16,991 to $29,599.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the FIAT 500 loses 28.9 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Beetle loses 31 percent of its value. This means the FIAT 500 retains 2.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Beetle.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the FIAT 500 is 8.1 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Beetle's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the FIAT 500 being ranked 25 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the Volkswagen Beetle being ranked 11 out of 43.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the FIAT 500 is 7.6 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Beetle the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Beetle a slight advantage in reliability compared to the FIAT 500.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the FIAT 500’s base engine makes 135 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Beetle base engine makes 174 horsepower. The 500 is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 347 miles. The Beetle is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 479 miles.This gives the FIAT 500 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volkswagen Beetle the advantage in maximum range. The 500 uses premium unleaded, and the Beetle uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Beetle, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The FIAT 500, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volkswagen Beetle has higher safety ratings than the FIAT 500, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$16,495
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
$17,553
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$12,460 - $26,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$20,895
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,340
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,795 - $40,395
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$16,550
Price Range:
$12,190 - $20,758
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
$16,389
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$11,778 - $30,722
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
7
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
25,273
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,937
Price Range:
$16,991 - $29,599
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$19,292
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$11,224 - $33,439
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
107
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
43,592
# Good or Great Deals:
37
FIAT 500 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Volkswagen Beetle Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for FIAT 500
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.9
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
5.9
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
2.9 - 8.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Beetle
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.1 - 9.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.2%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
0.5 - 13.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 15.5
FIAT 500 Rankings
Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
12 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 21Ranking
22 out of / 43Ranking
22 out of / 43Ranking
23 out of / 43Ranking
25 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Volkswagen Beetle Rankings
Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
16 out of / 43Ranking
16 out of / 43Ranking
19 out of / 43Ranking
20 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
FIAT 500 Trim Levels
Abarth, Lounge, Pop, Retro
Volkswagen Beetle Trim Levels
2.0T Final Edition SE, 2.0T Final Edition SEL, 2.0T S, 2.0T SE
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
135 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
150 foot-lbs @ 2400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
174 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 33 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
294 / 347 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 33 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
377 / 479 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
49.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
46.4 inches
Cargo Space:
9.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
84.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49 inches
Cargo Space:
15.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
100.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2505 lbs
Width:
73.5 inches
Height:
59.8 inches
Length:
144.4 inches
Wheelbase:
90.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3045 lbs
Width:
71.9 inches
Height:
58.6 inches
Length:
168.8 inches
Wheelbase:
100.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/45R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Vesuvio Black Pearl
Blue
Laser Blue Metallic / Mezzanotte Blue Pearl
Gray
Colosseo Gray / Granito Gray
Green
Oliva Green Pearl
Orange
Luminosa Orange
Red
Brillante Red
Silver
Pompei Silver
White
Bianco White Ice / Perla White Tri-Coat
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Orange
Habanero Orange Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
White Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Black
Nero
White
Avorio
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
White
Not available