The slogan for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle is “Still turns heads. Just Faster.” Automaker slogans often don’t mean much. But in the instance of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI, which debuted this year, the words work.
The Beetle TDI’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel delivers 140 horsepower, 236 lb-ft of torque and is offered with either a six-speed manual or Tiptronic automatic transmission. Those are foreign numbers when compared to the specs of the original introduced in 1938, and they should be. And yet, after 75 years, the VW Beetle in many ways is still a Bug.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
As arguably the most easily recognized car in the world, and particularly in my week with a bright yellow turbo diesel edition, the efficient little machine was stared at repeatedly. And comments were nearly as frequent.
I drove the VW on a frequent test route, the 400-mile round trip trek from Sacramento to the Monterey Peninsula. My Beetle TDI featured the six-speed manual transmission, and I’m glad it did.
The new VW Beetle TDI, with its new sleek exterior design and responsive acceleration, is as near to a sports cars as any stock Bug in the iconic car’s history.
Volkswagen completely redesigned the car in 2012 to attract more male buyers. I haven’t seen the statistics for 2012 sales, but the addition of the Turbo Direction Injection (TDI) can only help in 2013.
The six-speed manual transmission tester had a smooth, short shift and acceleration was swift, a particularly unique trait since the Beetle TDI also has sedan overtones as a two-door hatchback. Open the trunk via the push/pull VW insignia opener, push down the split rear seats (nearly flat) and there’s a cavernous area — a first time description for a VW Bug. Never before have the words spaciousness and VW Bug been used in the same sentence.
The 2013 VW Beetle features a substantial list of standard equipment, including: traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes and front side and side curtain airbags.
And the interior, while modern and offering intuitive dials and buttons, also has pays homage to yesteryear’s model. The trim across the dash and doors can be painted the same color as the exterior — just like the cool concept from Bugs decades ago.
Likes:
Sleek exterior styling.
Comfortable, easily adjustable seats.
VW insignia hatchback opener.
Short-shifting, six-speed manual transmission.
Retro-style painted glovebox with push lever opening.
Movable, Velcro luggage/cargo area braces.
Dislikes:
Back seat headrests obscure small rear window view.
Awkward side view mirror adjustment switches.
Facts & Figures: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 140 |
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Economy | 28 city / 40 hwy / 32 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 12 years/unlimited miles; Roadside Assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph, unavailable |
| First aid kit | Yes ($35 charge) |
| Fuel economy | 28 mpg (city), 41 mpg (highway) |
| Government Safety Ratings | NHTSA, Frontal crash (Driver, passenger, not rated); Side crash (front, rear seat), five stars; Rollover, four stars |
| Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price | $23,295.00 |
| Manufacturer’s Web site | www.vw.com |
| Price As tested | $24,360.00 |
Article Last Updated: March 30, 2026.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.