When you want the truly European experience of zipping around in a mini compact car, nothing will satisfy that desire like the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle and soon-to-be-released FIAT 500.

To give drivers a better idea of which car has more to offer their drives around the Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield areas, Andy Mohr Volkswagen created this comparison.

VW Beetle vs FIAT 500: Engine Specs

For mini cars, both the VW Beetle and FIAT 500 have a lot to offer under the hood. In fact, when the FIAT 500 debuted at the Chicago Auto Show, there was excitement over its new engine.

The 500 will be equipped with a turbocharged 1.4L 4-cyllinder engine that produces 135 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. That’s 33% more power than the 2017 model. Although, that wasn’t enough to best the standard 2.0 TSI® 16-valve 4-cylinder turbocharged engine in the VW beetle that generates 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.

Despite the improvements we see in the FIAT 500 this year, the Volkswagen Beetle is still the go-to for a more powerful engine.

Interior Dimensions 

Both the VW Beetle and FIAT 500 have a respectably minimalistic interior, providing only the amount of space that’s absolutely necessary for proper handling out on the road.

If you want to bring along a little extra, the FIAT 500 gives you 9.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. The Beetle lets you bring along much more with 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space. Despite its compact design, the Volkswagen Beetle also manages to make more room in the interior with 85.2 cubic feet of passenger volume compared to 75.5 cubic feet in the FIAT 500.

As for space to stretch out, the VW Beetle provides a front/rear headroom of 39.4/37.1 inches compared to 38.9/35.6 inches in the FIAT 500. Drivers in the Beetle also have slightly more legroom, with 41.3 inches compared to 40.7 inches in the FIAT 500.

Generally, the Volkswagen appears to be much roomier, and the minimal cargo space in the Fiat 500 requires you to pack light.

Safety Technology in the VW Beetle vs FIAT 500

When you get behind the wheel of any car, you want to feel like you are in good hands. You’ll find that with both the VW Beetle and FIAT 500.

They each include an electronic stability control feature for safer cornering, as well as parking sensors that make it easier to squeeze into tight spaces. 

The VW Beetle also has the added security of crash mitigation technology like a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Traffic Alert. These systems alert you to other drivers in your side and rear blind spots for safer merging and parking lot navigation.

The Beetle also includes a Post-Collision Braking System that applies the brakes after a collision to prevent further impacts due to roll-through. The FIAT 500 doesn’t offer these safety tech features, so drivers may find themselves more vulnerable to unseen hazards in the road.

VW Beetle vs FIAT 500: Take a Test Drive

In all points of our VW Beetle vs. FIAT 500 comparison, the Beetle came out ahead as having more to offer Indianapolis area drivers. If you want to get behind the wheel of one for yourself, contact Andy Mohr Volkswagen, and we’ll get you out on the Plainfield and Avon streets for a test drive.

Take the VW Beetle for a spin today!

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