Compare the2018 Volkswagen BeetleVS 2017 Toyota 86

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

Safety

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The Beetle has standard post collision braking, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 86 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 86 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 86 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 86 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 86 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 Toyota 86:

	Beetle	86
	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 Toyota 86:

	Beetle	86
	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 86’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 86’s (10 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Volkswagen Beetle’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the 86’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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 13th.

Engine

The Beetle’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 151) than the 86’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 86’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Beetle Dune gets better fuel mileage than the 86 2.0 4 cyl. (200 HP) (26 city/34 hwy vs. 24 city/32 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Beetle uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 86 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Beetle has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 86 (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 86.

Brakes and Stopping

The Beetle stops shorter than the 86:

	Beetle	86
70 to 0 MPH	176 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Beetle’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 86 (235/45R18 vs. 215/45R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Beetle offers optional 18-inch wheels. The 86’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

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 .5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 86.

For better maneuverability, the Beetle’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the 86’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Beetle Dune Coupe is quieter than the 86:

	Beetle	86
At idle	40 dB	44 dB
Full-Throttle	71 dB	88 dB
70 MPH Cruising	70 dB	73 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Beetle Coupe is rated a Compact car by the EPA, while the 86 is rated a Minicompact.

The Beetle Coupe has 8.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 86 (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 86.

Cargo Capacity

The Beetle Coupe has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the 86 (15.4 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

The Beetle’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The 86’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 86 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 86 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. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 86.

Ergonomics

Keyless Access optional on the Beetle allows you to unlock the driver’s door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Toyota 86 doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Beetle’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The 86’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Beetle SE/SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 86 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Beetle R-Line has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The 86 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Beetle’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The 86 doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Beetle’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 86 doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

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 86 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Beetle SE/Dune’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The 86 doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Beetle has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 86 doesn’t offer rear vents.

To help keep the driver’s hands on the wheel, the Beetle offers optional steering wheel controls for the radio. The 86 doesn’t offer steering wheel audio controls.

Model Availability

The Volkswagen Beetle comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Toyota 86 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 $5085 to $7725 less than the 86 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 $1093 to $12333 less than for the Toyota 86.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Beetle outsold the Toyota 86/FR-S by over two to one during 2016.

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