Compare the2018 Volkswagen BeetleVS 2018 Subaru BRZ

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2026Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (Advanta-STAR). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2026/04/05

The Beetle has standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The BRZ doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Beetle Coast/SE’s blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The BRZ doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Beetle is safer than the Subaru BRZ:

	Beetle	BRZ
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22%	25%
Neck Stress	227 lbs.	263 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	421/664 lbs.	814/1004 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	395/294 lbs.	470/406 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Beetle is safer than the Subaru BRZ:

	Beetle	BRZ
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Beetle comes with a full 6-year/72000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The BRZ’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 3 years and 36,000 miles sooner.

The Beetle’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the BRZ’s (10 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Volkswagen Beetle’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the BRZ’s engines use 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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 19th in reliability. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 24th.

Engine

The Beetle’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 151) than the BRZ’s optional 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl. The Beetle’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 156) than the BRZ’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

	Beetle	BRZ
	n/a	21 city/29 hwy	2.0/Manual
2.0T/Auto	26 city/33 hwy	24 city/32 hwy	2.0/Auto
2.0T Dune/Auto	26 city/34 hwy	n/a

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

The Beetle has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the BRZ (14.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Volkswagen Beetle comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the BRZ.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Beetle’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the BRZ (235/45R18 vs. 215/45R17).

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Beetle is 2.4 inches wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the BRZ.

Chassis

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

	Beetle	BRZ
At idle	40 dB	42 dB
Full-Throttle	71 dB	85 dB
70 MPH Cruising	70 dB	73 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Beetle Coupe a Compact car, while the BRZ is rated a Minicompact.

The Beetle Coupe has 8.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the BRZ (85.1 vs. 76.5).

The Beetle Coupe has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the BRZ.

Cargo Capacity

The Beetle Coupe has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the BRZ (15.4 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

The Beetle’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The BRZ’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Beetle. The BRZ doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The Beetle has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The BRZ doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Beetle to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Subaru doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the BRZ.

Ergonomics

The Beetle’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The BRZ’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Beetle SE/Dune/Convertible to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The BRZ doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 BRZ doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Beetle has a standard center folding armrest for the driver and front passenger. A center armrest helps combat driver fatigue. The BRZ doesn’t offer a front seat center armrest.

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

Model Availability

The Volkswagen Beetle comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Subaru BRZ isn’t available as a convertible.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Beetle owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Beetle will cost $1955 to $7450 less than the BRZ 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 $3780 to $8978 less than for the Subaru BRZ.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Beetle outsold the Subaru BRZ by almost four to one during 2017.

See Available Inventory