Volkswagen Beetle vs. Volkswagen Jetta
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Beetle and Volkswagen Jetta 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 Volkswagen Beetle and the Volkswagen Jetta.
In comparing the Volkswagen Beetle's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Beetle has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Beetle's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2019 Volkswagen Beetle ranges from $15,994 to $28,997 while a used 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is priced between $10,332 to $20,776.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Beetle’s base engine makes 174 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Jetta base engine makes 147 horsepower. The Beetle is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 479 miles. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 528 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Jetta the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volkswagen Beetle. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Beetle has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Jetta has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
20895
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
21340
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
14795 - 40395
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
18745
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
21340
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
14795 - 40395
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22575
Price Range:
15994 - 28997
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
17470
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
10157 - 31336
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
72
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
56468
# Good or Great Deals:
26
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
15442
Price Range:
10332 - 20776
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
17470
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
10157 - 31336
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
746
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
77224
# Good or Great Deals:
285
Volkswagen Beetle Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Volkswagen Jetta Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Beetle
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
5.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
2.8 - 12.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.016
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
5.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
2.8 - 12.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.067
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.839063067724528
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.0 - 12.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10.802373785944539
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.0 - 12.6
Volkswagen Beetle Rankings
Not yet available
Volkswagen Jetta Rankings
Ranking
6 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 22Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 22Ranking
15 out of / 37Ranking
17 out of / 37Ranking
18 out of / 37Ranking
22 out of / 37Ranking
24 out of / 37Ranking
24 out of / 37Ranking
27 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Beetle Trim Levels
2.0T Final Edition SE, 2.0T Final Edition SEL, 2.0T S, 2.0T SE
Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels
GLI 35th Anniversary Edition, GLI Autobahn, GLI S, R-Line, S, SE, SEL, SEL Premium
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
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
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):
30 / 40 / 34
Range (city/hwy):
396 / 528 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
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
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
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
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
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
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 Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
14.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.7 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2888 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
57.4 inches
Length:
185.1 inches
Wheelbase:
105.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Orange
Habanero Orange Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
White Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Uni
Blue
Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Orange
Habanero Orange Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
Pyrite Silver Metallic / White Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Storm Gray