Tesla Model S vs. Volkswagen Beetle MPG

Chart is based on 3 fuel economy reports for the Tesla Model S and 45 fuel economy reports for the Volkswagen Beetle.

Tesla Model S MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2012	4dr Hatch 416-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD	flat	lead	none	0	90	0	10	65	86.7

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Tesla Model S Electric Fuel Economy

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2016	4dr Hatch 373-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD	flat	lead	none	0	33	66	1	60	10.0
2012	4dr Hatch 416-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	none	10	10	10	70	110	18.4

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Volkswagen Beetle MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2014	2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	0	5	25	70	70	33.4
2013	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	none	0	20	75	5	60	19.5
2012	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	hvy	0	0	0	100	75	29.6
2010	2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	0	0	70	30	55	28.0
2010	2dr Convertible 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	0	25	75	0	0	24.4
2006	2dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	23	25	25	27	70	48.1
2006	2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	3	27	48	23	60	27.0
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2005	2dr Convertible turbocharged 150hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	5	23	22	50	75	25.8
2005	2dr Convertible 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	v.lt	light	5	15	50	30	65	25.0
2004	2dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	hills	v.lt	light	0	25	0	75	70	42.9
2004	2dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	light	5	25	50	20	60	25.0
2004	2dr Convertible turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	10	10	5	75	100	33.9
2004	2dr Convertible 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	hvy	15	35	30	20	75	25.5
2003	2dr Hatch turbocharged 150hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	hvy	0	5	5	90	75	28.0
2003	2dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	hvy	13	28	45	15	100	26.5
2002	2dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	3	15	25	58	60	46.3
2002	2dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	5	80	5	10	120	24.9
2001	2dr Hatch turbocharged 150hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD	hills	med	none	10	5	5	80	75	29.1
2001	2dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	5	10	55	30	60	31.9
2001	2dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	none	1	9	7	84	100	26.9
2000	2dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	none	3	9	17	71	77	46.3

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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	If the Tesla Model had a conventional gas-powered engine, few people would care about it. Plenty of established companies offer stylish, powerful, and luxurious sedans. Why place a $70,000+ bet on a new car from a new company? The reason just about everyone (and their mom) has heard of this upstart car company and its first completely in-house product is that the Model S, with its battery-powered electric motor, was engineered to render conventional cars passe. For anyone who must have the latest tech, it is the car to get. Two battery sizes are offered, 60 kWh and 85 kWh, the latter an additional $10,000. (A 40-kWh battery--actually a 60-kWh pack electronically limited to two-thirds of its capacity--was initially offered, but few early adopters opted for it and it has been discontinued.) The EPA rates the former for the equivalent of 94 mpg city, 97 mpg highway, the latter for 88/90. For reference, the much smaller, far less powerful Nissan LEAF is rated 129/102, considerably better in city (actually suburban) driving but not much more efficient on the highway. Among gas-powered competitors, the Audi A7 is rated 18/28 and the more powerful S7 is rated 17/27. Tesla's big advantage over other electric cars involves their shared primary limitation, range. In EPA testing, the LEAF's range was 75 miles, and other electrics in its price and size range manage about the same. In the same test, the two Model S packs achieved 208 and 265 miles, respectively. (Note: Range is significantly shorter for all electric cars in cold weather or when running the A/C.) Consider cost per mile, and the Tesla's fuel economy seems even better. At the national daytime average of 12 cents per kWh, the cost per mile is about four cents. (Charge at night, when rates are often discounted, and it's even less.) In comparison, an Audi A7 or S7 has a fuel cost of nearly twenty cents per mile. The average driver can save over $2,000 a year by driving a Model S. The major downside of the Tesla's electric powertrain (beyond purchase price) is the time required to charge its battery pack. With twin onboard chargers ($1,500) and a high-powered wall chargers ($1,200 plus installation) each 62 miles of range requires an hour. Easily practical for typical daily driving, but not for long-distance travel. For long-distance travel, Tesla is building a network of "Superchargers" and battery swapping stations. The Superchargers can provide half a full charge in 20 minutes. Free use of these is a $2,000 option with the regular pack and included in the price of the larger one. You'll be able to have the battery swapped in as little as 90 seconds. But the swap will cost $60 to $80 and you'll have to stop on the return trip to have the original pack re-installed or pay an additional charge. These stations will make long-distance travel feasible, but it will still be less convenient and/or more expensive than in a gas-powered car. see full Tesla Model S review

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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Beetle Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	How much difference can a diesel make? The EPA rates the Beetle Convertible's 170-horsepower 2.5-liter gas engine for 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway. The 140-horsepower (but torqier) 2.0-liter TDI? A much more fuel efficient 28/37. In both cases the lighter hatchback scores a little better. TDI fans claim that the EPA underestimates diesel fuel economy, and they might have a point. While the 2.5's trip computer reported averages in the mid-to-high 20s in suburban driving, the TDI's reported averages in the 40s, even just over 50 with a feather-light right foot and few complete stops. On a 70-mph highway the trip computer reported a two-way average of 38. At lower speeds the TDI should exceed the EPA rating. The Mini and Fiat are considerably smaller, lighter, and less powerful, but with somewhat overwhelmed gas engines they can't match the Beetle's fuel economy (27/35 and 27/34, respectively). Note that diesel fuel tends to cost a little more than regular unleaded, and far fewer stations carry it. see full Volkswagen Beetle review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Beetle Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	I have the Beetle for just one month, so can�t say too much yet, but after 500 Km mostly highway driving (from whicharound 100 Km on mountanous roads), it was showing an average of 13.1 Km/ltr. Not bad at all. When i drive into the city, it averages more or less 8.0 Km/ltr. I�m not a racer, but also not a slow driver. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
2002	2dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	A real-world 50+ miles per gallon. This is achieved by going 55 MPH or thereabouts, and on limited-access hiways. In-town mileage of course is worse. see full Volkswagen Beetle review

Volkswagen Beetle Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2007	2dr Convertible 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	NOT an economy car. Fun to drive, but not for the tight pocketbook. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
2004	2dr Convertible 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Less than 25 mpg. see full Volkswagen Beetle review