2014 Volkswagen Beetle
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- Comfortline/Highline/Sportline/Gsr, Convertible Comfortline/Highline/Sport, Tdi
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 5-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 32 combined · 28 city / 40 hwy
- Length
- 168.5 in
- Curb weight
- 2,983–3,258 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 22% better than the average 2014 compact car (26.3 MPG).
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle is a compact car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 5-cyl) 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 2,983 lb (Comfortline/Highline/Sportline/Gsr).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 40 highway), 22% better than the 2014 compact car average of 26.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,500 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2014
- Engine added: 1.8L 4-cyl turbo
Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 Beetle →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfortline/Highline/Sportline/Gsr | 168.5 in | 71.3 in | 58.7 in | 100 in | 62.2 / 61 in | 2,983 lb | 63/37 |
| Convertible Comfortline/Highline/Sport | 168.5 in | 71.3 in | 57.9 in | 100 in | 62.2 / 61 in | 3,258 lb | 63/37 |
| Tdi | 168.5 in | 71.3 in | 58.7 in | 100 in | 62.2 / 61 in | 3,111 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 Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 40 / 32 | +22% | $3,000 | 321 |
| Beetle Convertible Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 38 / 31 | +32% | $3,100 | 332 |
| Beetle Convertible Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 39 / 30 | +28% | $3,200 | 335 |
| Beetle Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 39 / 30 | +14% | $3,200 | 335 |
| Beetle Convertible | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | +15% | $2,500 | 330 |
| Beetle | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 27 | +3% | $2,500 | 322 |
| Beetle | 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | +3% | $2,500 | 329 |
| Beetle | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 30 / 26 | -1% | $3,150 | 343 |
| Beetle Convertible | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +11% | $3,150 | 347 |
| Beetle | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | -1% | $3,150 | 347 |
| Beetle Convertible | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 29 / 25 | +7% | $3,300 | 357 |
| Beetle | 2.5L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | -5% | $2,700 | 358 |
| Beetle | 2.5L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 25 | -5% | $2,700 | 354 |
| Beetle Convertible | 2.5L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | -2% | $2,900 | 378 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle.
Similar 2014 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Volkswagen Beetle (this car) | 32 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2014 Honda Civic | 44 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2014 Toyota Prius | 50 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2014 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 32 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2014 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2014 Ford Focus | 32 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2014 Ford Fiesta | 35 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
Recalls (5)
Air Bags › Frontal · Dec 16, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V785000 · 105,652 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The driver's side 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
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail · Jan 23, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V028000 · 44,658 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
- Risk
- A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · Oct 20, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V658000 · 7,062 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014. The glass sunroofs in the affected vehicles may break when the vehicles are operated over a hard road surface or strike a pothole.
- Risk
- Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass. A sunroof break during vehicle operation also increases the risk of driver distraction and a resulting vehicle crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60B9.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit And Lines · Apr 15, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V182000 · 26,452 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
- Risk
- The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.
Not every 2014 Volkswagen Beetle is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2014 Volkswagen Beetle buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 8 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 6 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 50,000 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 2014 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 |
| 2018 Beetle | 29 | 168.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 17 |
| 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 |
| 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 →