2014 Volkswagen Beetle

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

Volkswagen Beetle
Pictured: VW Beetle 1.4 TSI Sport – Frontansicht, 3. März 2013, Düsseldorf. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
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

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Comfortline/Highline/Sportline/Gsr168.5 in71.3 in58.7 in100 in62.2 / 61 in2,983 lb63/37
Convertible Comfortline/Highline/Sport168.5 in71.3 in57.9 in100 in62.2 / 61 in3,258 lb63/37
Tdi168.5 in71.3 in58.7 in100 in62.2 / 61 in3,111 lb63/37

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

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Beetle Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S6)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 40 / 32+22%$3,000321
Beetle Convertible Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 38 / 31+32%$3,100332
Beetle Convertible Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 39 / 30+28%$3,200335
Beetle Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 39 / 30+14%$3,200335
Beetle Convertible1.8L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27+15%$2,500330
Beetle1.8L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 27+3%$2,500322
Beetle1.8L 4-cyl turboManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27+3%$2,500329
Beetle2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 30 / 26-1%$3,150343
Beetle Convertible2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26+11%$3,150347
Beetle2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26-1%$3,150347
Beetle Convertible2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S6)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 29 / 25+7%$3,300357
Beetle2.5L 5-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25-5%$2,700358
Beetle2.5L 5-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25-5%$2,700354
Beetle Convertible2.5L 5-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 27 / 23-2%$2,900378
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.3 MPG2014 Compact Cars average

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

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2014 Volkswagen Beetle (this car)32 MPGNot rated5
2014 Honda Civic44 MPGNot rated2
2014 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated4
2014 Volkswagen Golf/GTI32 MPGNot rated5
2014 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport30 MPGNot rated0
2014 Ford Focus32 MPGNot rated14
2014 Ford Fiesta35 MPGNot rated7

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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2014 Volkswagen Beetle is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

46Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
50,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags15
Electrical System8
Engine6
Unknown Or Other5
Structure › Body4
Visibility/Wiper3
Exterior Lighting3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/03: 119/08: 219/09: 119/10: 120/01: 120/07: 220/08: 121/01: 121/02: 221/03: 221/04: 221/06: 121/07: 222/03: 122/04: 122/06: 122/11: 123/02: 123/08: 123/09: 224/04: 124/10: 124/12: 125/05: 119/0319/1020/0821/0321/0722/0623/0824/10max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2014 Volkswagen Beetle buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 8 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Engine — 6 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. 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 →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 Beetle29168.5 inNot rated315
2018 Beetle29168.5 inNot rated317
2017 Beetle28168.5 in★★★★★317
2016 Beetle28168.5 inNot rated359
2015 Beetle34168.5 inNot rated599
2013 Beetle32168.5 inNot rated690
2012 Beetle25168.5 inNot rated638
2010 Beetle23–Not rated319
2009 Beetle23–Not rated221
2008 Beetle23–Not rated230
2007 Beetle23–Not rated128
2006 Beetle34–Not rated132

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