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2018 Volkswagen Beetle

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Class: Subcompact Cars
Body styles: 2dr Convertible, 2dr Coupe
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel: Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 29 combined · 26 city / 34 hwy
Length: 168.5 in
Curb weight: 2,948–3,225 lb
NHTSA rating: Not rated
Recalls: 3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 22% better than the average 2018 subcompact car (23.7 MPG).

Watch out for

"Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 Volkswagen Beetle is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 169 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,225 lb (2dr Convertible).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 34 highway), 22% better than the 2018 subcompact car average of 23.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2018

Engine dropped: 1.8L 4-cyl turbo

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Beetle →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
2dr Convertible	168.5 in	71.3 in	57.9 in	100 in	62.2 / 61 in	3,225 lb	63/37
2dr Coupe	168.5 in	71.3 in	58.7 in	100 in	62.2 / 61 in	2,948 lb	63/37

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
Beetle Dune Convertible	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	26 / 34 / 29	+22%	$2,300	305
Beetle Convertible	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	26 / 33 / 29	+22%	$2,300	308
Beetle Dune	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	26 / 34 / 29	+7%	$2,300	305
Beetle	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	26 / 33 / 29	+7%	$2,300	308

6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

6/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

23.7 MPG2018 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2018 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD	Not rated	★★★★★	5★ / 4★	Not rated	Not rated	★★★★★	10.5%

StandardElectronic stability control

Not availableForward collision warning

Not availableLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2018 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2018 subcompact cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2018 Volkswagen Beetle (this car)	29 MPG	Not rated	3
2018 Honda Civic	36 MPG	★★★★★	6
2018 Ford Focus	34 MPG	★★★★★	7
2018 Ford Fiesta	31 MPG	★★★★★	0
2018 Nissan Leaf	151 mi	Not rated	4
2018 Toyota C-HR	29 MPG	★★★★★	1
2018 Hyundai Accent	32 MPG	Not rated	1

Recalls (3)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Oct 30, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V834000 · 248,330 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module · Aug 22, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V615000 · 679,027 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Jun 1, 2018 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 18V369000 · 10,225 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Volkswagen Beetle is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

17Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

0Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

0Injuries reported

38,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Air Bags7

Electrical System6

Unknown Or Other4

Engine1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking1

Seats1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Volkswagen Beetle buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
Air Bags — 7 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
Electrical System — 6 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 38,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Beetle years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2019 Beetle	29	168.5 in	Not rated	3	15
2017 Beetle	28	168.5 in	★★★★★	3	17
2016 Beetle	28	168.5 in	Not rated	3	59
2015 Beetle	34	168.5 in	Not rated	5	99
2014 Beetle	32	168.5 in	Not rated	5	46
2013 Beetle	32	168.5 in	Not rated	6	90
2012 Beetle	25	168.5 in	Not rated	6	38
2010 Beetle	23	–	Not rated	3	19
2009 Beetle	23	–	Not rated	2	21
2008 Beetle	23	–	Not rated	2	30
2007 Beetle	23	–	Not rated	1	28
2006 Beetle	34	–	Not rated	1	32

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →