Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. Volkswagen Beetle
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata 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 Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Volkswagen Beetle.
When we compare the Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the Volkswagen Beetle's specifications and ratings, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. The Mazda MX-5 Miata and Volkswagen Beetle have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the Volkswagen Beetle's specifications and ratings, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a better car than the Volkswagen Beetle.
Pricing: A used 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranges from $19,435 to $27,998 while a used 2019 Volkswagen Beetle is priced between $20,747 to $36,977.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s base engine makes 181 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Beetle base engine makes 174 horsepower. The MX-5 Miata is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 405 miles. The Beetle is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 479 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Beetle the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The MX-5 Miata uses premium unleaded, and the Beetle uses regular unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
25730
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
29058
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
25000 - 41920
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
25995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
17286
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
12460 - 26900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24003
Price Range:
19435 - 27998
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
25817
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
20632 - 31346
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
18
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
33242
# Good or Great Deals:
1
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
29195
Price Range:
20747 - 36977
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
14284
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
10300 - 29195
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
96
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
49881
# Good or Great Deals:
36
Mazda MX-5 Miata Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Volkswagen Beetle Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda MX-5 Miata
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
18.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
8.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
3.4 - 18.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.131
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Beetle
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
16.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
4.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.7 - 16.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.025
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.8458913065001767
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
2.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
0.9 - 4.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.839063067724528
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.0 - 11.8
Mazda MX-5 Miata Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
7 out of / 11Ranking
8 out of / 11Ranking
8 out of / 11Ranking
10 out of / 11Volkswagen Beetle Rankings
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda MX-5 Miata Trim Levels
30th Anniversary, Club, Grand Touring, Sport
Volkswagen Beetle Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
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):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
181 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
151 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.077 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
174 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
309 / 405 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
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
52.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
4.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
43.1 inches
Cargo Space:
7.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
81.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2339 lbs
Width:
68.3 inches
Height:
48.6 inches
Length:
154.1 inches
Wheelbase:
90.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3239 lbs
Width:
71.9 inches
Height:
58 inches
Length:
168.8 inches
Wheelbase:
100.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P195/50R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Gray
Ceramic Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
White
Arctic White
Blue
Not available
Orange
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
White
Pure White
Blue
Silk Blue Metallic
Orange
Habanero Orange Metallic
Silver
White Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Beige
Beige
Gray
Ceramique Gray/Black
