Volkswagen Beetle vs Mazda Mazda2
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Volkswagen Beetle
Price TBC
Hatchback
Premium unleaded
4 cylinder inline turbo and supercharged direct injection petrol
118kW
6.8 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
310L
Mazda Mazda2
From $22,990
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
81kW
5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
250L
Volkswagen Beetle: we're still completing price, kerb weight, warranty, ground clearance and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Beetle features a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while the Mazda Mazda2 gets a 7-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Beetle uses a 4 cylinder inline turbo and supercharged direct injection petrol producing 118kW and 240Nm of torque, sent through a 6 speed manual to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds.
The Mazda Mazda2 responds with a Petrol making 81kW and 142Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.
The Volkswagen Beetle has the clear power advantage at 118kW vs 81kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volkswagen Beetle is 2.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Beetle measures 4,278mm long on a 2,524mm wheelbase, 193mm longer than the Mazda Mazda2 at 4,085mm (2,570mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda Mazda2 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 310L in the Volkswagen Beetle and 250L in the Mazda Mazda2, giving the Volkswagen Beetle a 60L advantage. The Mazda Mazda2 seats 5 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.8m to 10.8m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,938/year for the Volkswagen Beetle and $1,425/year for the Mazda Mazda2. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Mazda Mazda2.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Beetle if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda Mazda2 if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Beetle takes 3 of 4 key spec categories. The Mazda Mazda2 will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Beetle has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volkswagen Beetle and Mazda Mazda2?
The Mazda Mazda2 is the cheapest at $22,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda Mazda2 uses the least fuel at 5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Volkswagen Beetle and Mazda Mazda2 carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Beetle has the largest boot at 310L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Beetle makes the most power at 118kW. The Volkswagen Beetle is quickest to 100km/h in 8.3s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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