5 Volkswagen Beetle Alternatives That Aren’t a Mini Cooper
The Volkswagen Beetle is a classic and iconic compact car well-known for its unique looks and involvement in the Punch Buggy game. That being said, the Beetle was discontinued a few years ago, and if car shoppers want an alternative to buying a used Beetle, one of the most common options is its more expensive counterpart, the Mini Cooper. That said, there are more alternatives to the Volkswagen Beetle, and here’s a look at five that aren’t a Mini Cooper.
1. The Fiat 500X and its cousins
On the outside, it’s easy to see why the Fiat 500X is a good alternative to the Volkswagen Beetle. It’s a subcompact SUV, and according to Edmunds, it starts with a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that gets 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque.
There’s seating for five people and a max cargo capacity of 39.8 cu. ft. Its big flaw is its price tag, starting at about $29,000. That makes it one of the more expensive options in the segment. That said, the 500X’s smaller cousin, the 500, is a better alternative to the VW Beetle since the 500 is actually a compact car. Fiat discontinued it a few years back, but it will return soon as an EV.
2. The Kia Soul is a boxy option
On the other end of the spectrum, the Kia Soul is one of the cheapest options in the segment, starting at about $20,000. The Soul is technically a subcompact SUV but has a relatively unique exterior design, just like the Beetle did.
However, this Kia SUV doesn’t have a great powertrain, starting with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that gets 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. Still, there’s seating for five passengers, and it has a substantial max cargo capacity of 62.1 cu. ft.
3. The Mazda CX-30 is a traditional choice
Just like the Fiat 500X and the Kia Soul, the Mazda CX-30 is also a small SUV. It starts at about $23,000 and has seating for five. It begins with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. However, its cargo capacity is less impressive, as it tops out at 45.2 cu. ft. Overall, the CX-30 is the most traditional choice among all the Beetle alternatives listed. It has a pleasant exterior, but its styling isn’t unique overall.
4. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is an odd but valid option
However, Mazda does have another VW Beetle alternative, and it’s the MX-5 Miata. This may seem strange since the Miata is a convertible sports car, but Volkswagen also offered the Beetle as a convertible. The Miata starts at about $28,000, and it only seats two. Additionally, it only has 4.6 cu. ft. of cargo space.
Its main draw is its engine. It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than enough power to allow drivers to have fun driving the little Mazda. Plus, it has a unique look, just like the Beetle.
5. The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is solid overall
Finally, there’s the Toyota Corolla Hatchback. It doesn’t have a unique exterior, as it looks like any other hatchback. However, the Corolla Hatchback is one of the best compact cars overall, providing owners with a little of everything. It starts at $23,000, and it seats five. Thanks to its hatchback design, it has 17.8 cu. ft. of cargo space, which is more than its sedan variant. Plus, it has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque.
