2013 Volkswagen Beetle Total Car Score Analysis

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle earns an average Total Car Score for the Sport Coupes & Convertibles segment.  
 
Volkswagen completely redesigned the Beetle last year, reshaping its iconic form, dropping the “New” from its name and trying to widen its appeal to more male car buyers. For 2013 the Beetle sees two new significant additions: a turbodiesel engine option and a convertible body style.  
 
The TDI engine is the same direct-injection clean diesel found in other VW models, and in the Beetle (coupe or convertible) it will return 41 highway mpg, says the EPA. Diesel Beetles will be offered in the same trim levels as the gas models, with equipment choices aligning closely with those found in 2.5 models. Pricing will start at $23,295, according to VW.  
 
Less is known about the convertible at this writing, other than it will be fitted with what VW calls a “fast acting” top that preserves the roof lines of the coupe, and it will be offered with all three Beetle engine options.  
 
Also look for the Beetle Fender Edition, a special model (available with either gas engine) equipped with the premium Fender audio system, xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, special 18-inch wheels and unique interior trim.  
 
Now that the convertible and diesel have been added to the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle lineup, we don’t expect any significant changes – other than some special editions – in the near future.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Model Line-Up

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle is a four-seat front-wheel-drive compact car offered in coupe and convertible body styles. Buyers can choose from three different engines and several trim levels.  
 
Base Beetle models are powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque and backed by either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Turbo models have a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 under the hood that makes 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of peak torque. Beetle TDI models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine good for 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Both the Turbo and TDI engines can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.  
 
Volkswagen uses a three-tiered trim level system for all Beetle models. Base 2.5 and TDI models are fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, leatherette upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity and an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system (with satellite radio available in TDI models). Base Turbo models are similarly equipped, except the Turbos get 18-inch wheels, cloth-covered sport seats and a rear spoiler.  
 
Next up the trim-level ladder are the Sunroof models which, as the name implies, adds a panoramic powered sunroof to the 2.5 and TDI Beetles as well as a premium sound system with touchscreen control. Turbo models get a Sunroof & Sound trim level, which ups the audio ante further with a Fender premium sound system.  
 
At the top of the Beetle offerings are the Sunroof, Sound & Navigation models, which add a navigation system to all three versions, 18-inch wheels to the 2.5 models, the Fender premium sound system to 2.5 and TDI models, and leather upholstery and 19-inch wheels to Turbo models.  
 
In terms of fuel economy, the EPA has found the gas engines are all within a couple of mpg of one another. The most efficient is the 2.5/manual trans combo, at 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined. With an automatic, the 2.5 delivers 22/29/25 mpg. Turbo/automatic models return 22/30/25, while the manual trans versions get 21/30/24 mpg.  
 
The TDI is the mileage champ in a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle, achieving 29/41/32 mpg.

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