Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Beetle hatchback (2011-2019) - Engines, drive & performance

The Volkswagen Beetle is an enjoyable car to drive

Carbuyer Rating

2.8 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.1 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Engines, drive & performance Rating

2.5 out of 5

Being based on a VW Golf – even the previous model – means the Beetle enjoys solid, predictable handling. It’s not unexciting, either: on winding B-roads the Beetle is easy to place thanks to its accurate steering, while the suspension gets the balance generally right between insulating you from potholes and minimising body roll.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s not quite as entertaining to drive as the MINI, but it has the Fiat 500 soundly beaten in the handling stakes. We recommend the six-speed manual gearbox as, while the seven-speed automatic is generally decent, it can be a little slow to change gear, particularly at lower speeds.

Things are slightly less rosy around town, though, where the Beetle’s curved shaped makes parking tricky compared to a conventional hatchback. This is a price many are willing to pay for the distinctive looks, though, and all-round parking sensors are a reasonably priced option.

Volkswagen Beetle Petrol engines

There’s no bad engine in the Beetle’s catalogue. The turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol is eager and powerful enough to get the car from 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds, but it’s worth upgrading to the 148bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre if you’re planning on doing a lot of motorway journeys. 0-62mph takes 8.9 seconds with this engine.

A 217bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is still available if you order a pre-facelift Beetle Turbo Black or Beetle Sport. This makes the car impressively brisk (0-62mph takes 6.7 seconds), although economy drops to 43.5mpg.

Diesel engines

Both of the 2.0-litre diesels are good. The 108bhp version’s 0-62mpg time of 11 seconds may sound slow, but once on the move progress is reasonably decent. Upgrading to the 148bhp diesel reduces the 0-62mph time to 8.9 seconds (9.2 seconds with the Dune model) and makes motorway overtakes more relaxing, but you’ll need Dune or R-Line trim to get this engine, so it’s a relatively expensive choice.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
4 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

New Renault Emblème concept previews a hydrogen-powered future
Renault Embleme concept front quarter
News
4 Oct 2024

New Renault Emblème concept previews a hydrogen-powered future

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500
Skoda Elroq front quarter
News
1 Oct 2024

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024