Volkswagen Beetle

Which Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio Version Should You Buy?

The version to choose depends on whether efficiency, performance, or simpler specifications matter most. Among the Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio variants in this catalogue, the restyled second generation offers the broadest performance range: from the 105 hp 1.2 MT and 1.2 DSG to the 220 hp 2.0 MT.

The version to choose depends on whether efficiency, performance, or simpler specifications matter most. Among the Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio variants in this catalogue, the restyled second generation offers the broadest performance range: from the 105 hp 1.2 MT and 1.2 DSG to the 220 hp 2.0 MT. The 220 hp 2.0 MT is the quickest measured version at 6.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, while the first-generation 105 hp diesel 1.9 MT records the lowest combined consumption at 5.4 l/100 km. Buyers seeking a middle ground should compare the restyled second-generation 150 hp 1.4 MT and 1.4 DSG, which combine 250 Nm with measured combined consumption of 5.8 and 5.6 l/100 km respectively.

Volkswagen Beetle generations compared

The first-generation Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio covers 1997–2005 in the catalogue and contains 24 versions. The displayed choices include Gasoline engines from 1,390 to 1,984 cc and Diesel 1.9 MT variants of 1,896 cc. Output among the displayed versions runs from 75 hp to 150 hp. Every listed version is FWD, with either a 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic gearbox. The later Cabrio versions shown within this generation start in 2003.

The first-generation restyling covers 2005–2010 and contains 20 versions. It retains the Cabrio body and offers displayed Gasoline and Diesel choices from 75 to 150 hp. Depending on the version, transmission choices are a 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic, and every listed version remains FWD. Compared with the preceding generation, several like-for-like specifications are close, so engine, gearbox, kerb weight, and measured consumption are more useful buying criteria than the restyling label alone.

The second-generation Cabrio covers 2011–2016 and contains 51 versions. Its displayed range moves to turbocharged, direct-injection Gasoline engines, with outputs from 105 to 200 hp. Buyers can choose 6-speed Manual, 7-speed Robotic, or 6-speed Automatic versions, all with FWD. Ground clearance rises from the earlier generation’s usual 130 mm to 136 mm.

The restyled second generation covers 2016–2019 and contains 35 versions. Its displayed range extends from the 105 hp 1.2 MT and 1.2 DSG to the 220 hp 2.0 MT. It also includes the naturally aspirated, inline 5-cylinder 2.5 AT with 170 hp. The catalogue ends this Beetle Cabrio sequence in 2019; it provides no specifications for a Volkswagen Beetle 2026.

Volkswagen Beetle engine and gearbox specs

Repeated names are separated below by output or generation because their specifications are not always identical.

The 220 hp 2.0 MT produces about 110.9 hp per litre, compared with about 107.5 hp per litre for the 150 hp 1.4 MT and about 87.7 hp per litre for the 105 hp 1.2 MT. The naturally aspirated 2.5 AT produces about 68.5 hp per litre. These calculations make the 220 hp 2.0 MT the strongest specific-output choice among those four representative restyled versions.

Volkswagen Beetle performance and mpg

The performance choice is the restyled second-generation 2.0 MT with 220 hp and 350 Nm. It reaches 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 230 km/h. Its measured consumption is 8.4 l/100 km in the city, 5.5 l/100 km on the highway, and 6.6 l/100 km combined.

The 200 hp restyled 2.0 MT takes 7.4 seconds and reaches 227 km/h, while the 210 hp 2.0 DSG also takes 7.4 seconds and reaches 225 km/h. The 220 hp car therefore cuts 0.5 seconds from the 0–100 km/h time and adds 3 km/h over the 200 hp Manual. Its combined consumption is also 0.9 l/100 km lower than the 200 hp 2.0 MT figure of 7.5 l/100 km.

For balanced performance, the restyled 150 hp 1.4 DSG reaches 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, has a top speed of 201 km/h, and consumes 5.6 l/100 km combined. The equivalent 150 hp 1.4 MT posts the same acceleration and top speed but uses 5.8 l/100 km combined. The Robotic version is therefore 0.2 l/100 km lower on the combined figure, while the Manual is 18 kg lighter at 1,434 kg versus 1,452 kg.

For minimum measured consumption, the first-generation 105 hp Diesel 1.9 MT records 6.8 l/100 km in the city, 4.6 l/100 km on the highway, and 5.4 l/100 km combined. It reaches 100 km/h in 12 seconds and has a top speed of 179 km/h. The restyled first-generation version with the same name and output records 6.9, 4.7, and 5.5 l/100 km respectively.

The second-generation 170 hp 1.8 AT and 1.8 MT have no measured 0–100 km/h or top-speed figures in the data: both figures are not measured. Their combined consumption is 8.4 l/100 km for 1.8 AT and 8.7 l/100 km for 1.8 MT.

Volkswagen Beetle dimensions, weight, clearance, and wheels

Overall length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data. The available comparison therefore concerns weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity, and listed wheel sizes.

Among restyled second-generation versions with measured kerb weight, the 160 hp 1.4 MT is lightest at 1,379 kg, while the 210 hp 2.0 DSG is heaviest at 1,505 kg. The 220 hp 2.0 MT weighs 1,481 kg, or about 6.7 kg per horsepower. The 150 hp 1.4 MT weighs 1,434 kg, or about 9.6 kg per horsepower, and the 105 hp 1.2 MT weighs 1,395 kg, or about 13.3 kg per horsepower. This gives the 220 hp model the best weight-to-power result of those three.

Gross weight for the restyled 220 hp 2.0 MT is 1,870 kg. The 210 hp 2.0 DSG reaches 1,890 kg, while the 150 hp 1.4 MT is 1,810 kg. Kerb and gross weights for the 2.5 AT are not measured.

Every listed version has a 55-litre fuel tank. Ground clearance is generally 130 mm for the first-generation cars and 136 mm for the second generation. One early 150 hp 1.8 MT is listed at 109 mm. For the restyled second generation, the recorded wheel options are 215/60 R16, 215/55 R17, 235/45 R18, 235/40 R19, and 235/35 R20.

Which Volkswagen Beetle version should you buy?

Choose the restyled 150 hp 1.4 DSG for the strongest all-round numerical balance. Its 250 Nm exceeds the 160 hp 1.4 DSG by 10 Nm, while its combined consumption is 5.6 l/100 km rather than 6.4 l/100 km. Both reach 201 km/h in one recorded specification, although the 160 hp Robotic version cuts the 0–100 km/h time from 9.1 to 8.6 seconds.

Choose the restyled 220 hp 2.0 MT when performance is the priority. It supplies the highest output, the highest torque, the quickest measured acceleration, and the highest measured top speed in the catalogue data: 220 hp, 350 Nm, 6.9 seconds, and 230 km/h.

Choose the first-generation 105 hp Diesel 1.9 MT when measured fuel consumption matters more than acceleration. Its 5.4 l/100 km combined figure is 1.2 l/100 km lower than that of the restyled 220 hp 2.0 MT, but it needs 5.1 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h.

Choose a 105 hp 1.2 MT if the goal is a later Cabrio with the smaller displayed engine and a Manual gearbox. In the restyled second generation it consumes 5.5 l/100 km combined, versus 5.9 l/100 km for the 105 hp 1.2 DSG. Both take 11.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h and both top out at 178 km/h, so the Manual’s numerical advantages are 0.4 l/100 km lower combined consumption and 14 kg less kerb weight.

The catalogue contains no price or sale data, so it cannot establish which version costs less or what any extra purchase money buys. It can show what the specification step buys: moving from the restyled 150 hp 1.4 MT to the 220 hp 2.0 MT adds 70 hp and 100 Nm, cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 2.2 seconds, raises top speed by 29 km/h, and increases combined consumption by 0.8 l/100 km.