Volkswagen Beetle
2016–2019 model years · Generation introduced 2012
Compare the years. Keep the details.
Compare model years ↓
- Available years
- 2016–2019
- Yearly records
- 4
- Reported market values
- $11,200–$15,975
The overview
The 2012 redesigned Beetle has fewer compromises and a roomier cabin. It drives decently but suffers from cost-cutting measures. While the ride is compliant, it's a bit unsettled. Handling is responsive but not sporty, and it becomes sloppy in demanding conditions. The standard five-cylinder engine is punchy but sounds gruff and unrefined. We got a less-than-stellar 26 mpg overall with the five-speed manual transmission. Turbocharged gas and diesel 2.0-liter engines are also available. Rear visibility is limited and the long clutch pedal travel and wide center console compromise the driving position. For 2018, a 2.0-liter turbo became standard, and the manual transmission was dropped. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert became standard on all trim lines for the 2019 model year--the Beetle’s final production run.
Generation summary from Consumer Reports. Year-specific figures appear below; missing values mean unavailable, not zero.
Compare the years
Each row keeps its own source data.
| Model year | Market value | Reliability | Owner rating | EPA combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 ↗ S 2-door hatchback Front 2.0-liter 4 (174 hp) turbo (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 6-speed | $15,975 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 29 MPG |
| 2018 ↗ S 2-door hatchback Front 2.0-liter 4 (174 hp) turbo (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 6-speed | $14,100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 29 MPG |
| 2017 ↗ S 2-door hatchback Front 1.8-liter 4 (170 hp) turbo (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 6-speed | $12,150 | 5/5 | Not rated | 28 MPG |
| 2016 ↗ 1.8T 2-door hatchback Front 1.8-liter 4 (170 hp) turbo (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 6-speed | $11,200 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 28 MPG |
Values depend on trim and condition. Ratings are source-reported; road-test results may describe a tested configuration.
Year by year
2019 model
S 2-door hatchback Front 2.0-liter 4 (174 hp) turbo (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 6-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2019 listings ↗ Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- 2-door hatchback
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2012
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $15,975
- Retail value range
- $13,025 - $18,550
- Original MSRP range
- $20,895 - $29,995
- Trade-in range
- $10,030 - $16,470
Ratings
- Road test score
- 59/100
- Owner satisfaction
- 4/5
- Would buy again
- 77%
- Reliability
- 5/5
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 26 MPG
- EPA highway
- 33 MPG
- EPA combined
- 29 MPG
- Tested city
- 19 MPG
- Tested highway
- 36 MPG
- Tested overall
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,785
- Cruising range
- 390 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.1 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 8.4 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 136 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 51 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 168 in
- Width
- 71 in
- Height
- 59 in
- Wheelbase
- 100 in
- Weight
- 3,040 lb
- Maximum load
- 835 lb
- Towing capacity
- 0 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 4 people
- Front head room
- 6.5 in
- Front leg room
- 43 in
- Rear head room
- 1.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 24 in
- Luggage
- 2+1+0
Owner feedback
- Comfort
- 3/5
- Driving
- 5/5
- Styling
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Environmental impact
- Air pollution score
- 7/10
- Greenhouse gas score
- 6/10
- SmartWay
- No
Vehicle ID: 13655 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
2018 model
S 2-door hatchback Front 2.0-liter 4 (174 hp) turbo (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 6-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2018 listings ↗ Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- 2-door hatchback
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2012
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $14,100
- Retail value range
- $11,175 - $16,250
- Original MSRP range
- $20,220 - $32,090
- Trade-in range
- $8,195 - $13,395
Ratings
- Road test score
- 59/100
- Owner satisfaction
- 5/5
- Would buy again
- 83%
- Reliability
- 5/5
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 26 MPG
- EPA highway
- 33 MPG
- EPA combined
- 29 MPG
- Tested city
- 19 MPG
- Tested highway
- 36 MPG
- Tested overall
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,785
- Cruising range
- 390 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.1 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 8.4 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 136 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 51 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 168 in
- Width
- 71 in
- Height
- 59 in
- Wheelbase
- 100 in
- Weight
- 3,040 lb
- Maximum load
- 835 lb
- Towing capacity
- 0 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 4 people
- Front head room
- 6.5 in
- Front leg room
- 43 in
- Rear head room
- 1.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 24 in
- Luggage
- 2+1+0
Owner feedback
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Driving
- 5/5
- Styling
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Environmental impact
- Air pollution score
- 7/10
- Greenhouse gas score
- 6/10
- SmartWay
- No
Vehicle ID: 12246 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
2017 model
S 2-door hatchback Front 1.8-liter 4 (170 hp) turbo (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 6-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2017 listings ↗ Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- 2-door hatchback
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2012
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $12,150
- Retail value range
- $9,475 - $14,750
- Original MSRP range
- $19,495 - $32,550
- Trade-in range
- $6,540 - $11,895
Ratings
- Road test score
- 59/100
- Reliability
- 5/5
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 25 MPG
- EPA highway
- 33 MPG
- EPA combined
- 28 MPG
- Tested city
- 19 MPG
- Tested highway
- 36 MPG
- Tested overall
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,785
- Cruising range
- 390 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.1 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 8.4 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 136 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 51 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 168 in
- Width
- 71 in
- Height
- 59 in
- Wheelbase
- 100 in
- Weight
- 3,040 lb
- Maximum load
- 835 lb
- Towing capacity
- 0 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 4 people
- Front head room
- 6.5 in
- Front leg room
- 43 in
- Rear head room
- 1.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 24 in
- Luggage
- 2+1+0
Environmental impact
- Air pollution score
- 8/10
- Greenhouse gas score
- 6/10
- SmartWay
- No
Vehicle ID: 6236 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
2016 model
1.8T 2-door hatchback Front 1.8-liter 4 (170 hp) turbo (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 6-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2016 listings ↗ Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- 2-door hatchback
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2012
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $11,200
- Retail value range
- $7,775 - $16,000
- Original MSRP range
- $19,495 - $36,050
- Trade-in range
- $4,910 - $13,105
Ratings
- Road test score
- 59/100
- Owner satisfaction
- 4/5
- Would buy again
- 63%
- Reliability
- 4/5
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 25 MPG
- EPA highway
- 33 MPG
- EPA combined
- 28 MPG
- Tested city
- 19 MPG
- Tested highway
- 36 MPG
- Tested overall
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,785
- Cruising range
- 390 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.1 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 8.4 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 136 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 51 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 168 in
- Width
- 71 in
- Height
- 59 in
- Wheelbase
- 100 in
- Weight
- 3,040 lb
- Maximum load
- 835 lb
- Towing capacity
- 0 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 4 people
- Front head room
- 6.5 in
- Front leg room
- 43 in
- Rear head room
- 1.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 24 in
- Luggage
- 2+1+0
Owner feedback
- Comfort
- 2/5
- Driving
- 4/5
- Styling
- 5/5
- Value
- 1/5
Environmental impact
- Air pollution score
- 5/10
- Greenhouse gas score
- 7/10
- SmartWay
- No
Vehicle ID: 6503 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
Behind the data
Latest source update: September 11, 2026
Vehicle summaries, specifications, pricing and ratings come from Consumer Reports vehicle records. Auto Guide groups these records by model and reported generation start year.
Available years are listed explicitly. Gaps do not imply that a model was discontinued. Prices are source estimates, not live offers. No first-hand road test by Auto Guide is claimed.
