Compare the2018 Volkswagen BeetleVS 2018 Audi TT

To help make backing safer, the Beetle Coast/SE’s cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The TT doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Beetle SE has standard Car-Net, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The TT doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Beetle and the TT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The Beetle comes with a full 6-year/72000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The TT’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 22000 miles sooner.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Beetle’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Beetle’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the TT’s 2.5 turbo 5 cyl. engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2017 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

On the EPA test cycle the Beetle gets better fuel mileage than the TT:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Beetle uses regular unleaded gasoline. The TT requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Beetle higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi TT (3 to 7). This means the Beetle produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the TT every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Volkswagen Beetle as a “Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle” (PZEV). The Audi TT is only certified to emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV) standards.

The Beetle has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the TT; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Beetle’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the TT (100 inches vs. 98.6 inches).

The Beetle’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (59.3% to 40.7%) than the TT’s (60.7% to 39.3%). This gives the Beetle more stable handling and braking.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Beetle Dune Coupe is quieter than the TT RS Coupe:

The Beetle Coupe has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the TT Coupe.

The Beetle Convertible has 2.7 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom and 1.7 inches more front shoulder room than the TT Roadster.

The Beetle Coupe has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the TT Coupe (15.4 vs. 12 cubic feet).

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Beetle (except S/Coast) offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The TT doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Beetle’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The TT’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

The Beetle SE/Dune’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The TT doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Beetle has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The TT doesn’t offer rear vents.

Insurance will cost less for the Beetle owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Beetle will cost $1160 to $6390 less than the TT over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Beetle will be $16939 to $20174 less than for the Audi TT.

The Volkswagen Beetle outsold the Audi TT by almost seven to one during 2017.