The Volkswagen Beetle has been cherished across multiple generations, as consumers have fell in love with its distinctive curvy silhouette and fun-to-drive nature. Combining classic design elements with a high-performance engine and state-of-the-art technology, the 2017 VW Beetle continues its legendary run of success. One of the Beetle competitors is another iconic compact car — the MINI Cooper. See how they measure up in this 2017 Volkswagen Beetle vs 2017 MINI Cooper comparison.
The 2017 Beetle offers a comfortable and spacious ride for its occupants. Front and rear passenger headroom is plentiful. The car has 37.1 inches of rear-seat headroom, 41.3 inches of front legroom and 55.3 inches of front shoulder room. The overall interior volume is 85 cu-ft. The trunk offers 15.4 cu-ft of space: with the seats folded, the capacity increases to 29.9 cu-ft. In comparison, the trunk in the MINI Cooper only offers 8.7 cu-ft of space. The Beetle also offers many premium amenities. This includes standard power windows with one-touch up/down and a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, shift knob and brake lever, as well as available panoramic sunroof, V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces and heatable front seats.
2017 Volkswagen Beetle | VS | 2017 MINI Cooper |
Yes | Convertible Option | Yes |
15.4 cu-ft | Cargo Volume | 8.7 cu-ft |
1.8-liter turbo 4-cylinder | Base Engine | 1.5-liter turbo 3-cylinder |
170/184 lb-ft | Horsepower/Torque | 134/162 |
On the performance front, the Beetle easily outmuscles the MINI Cooper. The base engine for the 2017 Beetle is a 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder variant, delivering 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. In comparison, the 1.5-liter turbo 3-cylinder in the MINI Cooper only manages 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. For even more impressive performance, you can get the Beetle with the 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which delivers an impressive 210 horsepower. All Beetle models are fitted with a strut-type front suspension with a lower control arm and an anti-roll bar, as well as anti-lock brakes with electronic brake pressure distribution. Also, the high-performance Beetle R-Line model features the XDS cross differential system that helps electronically monitor input from various wheel sensors and, in the event of slippage, transfers extra torque to the wheel or wheels with the most traction.
While style is a mater of taste for consumers, it's hard not to be impressed with the two new special-editions models of the 2017 Beetle. The stylish #PinkBeetle is poised to become an immediate automotive trending topic with its unique hashtag name. Offered in its own unique shade of Fresh Fuchsia Metallic paint, the #PinkBeetle’s eye-catching paint is contrasted by gloss-black mirror caps and black running boards. The Beetle Dune harkens back to the classic Baja Bugs of yesteryear. Overall, the Beetle Dune has a bolder appearance in the Beetle range, thanks to the fitment of new front and rear fascias and pronounced black wheelarch extensions that flow into the bumpers. If you live San Juan Capistrano, Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach or anywhere else in Orange County and would like to get behind the wheel of the stylish and fun-to-drive 2017 Beetle, then don't hesitate to contact us at Capistrano Volkswagen!