The 2019 Volkswagen Beetle should not be taken off of the beaten path—its low ground clearance and front-wheel-drive system are not suited for difficult terrain.

An off-road-ready vehicle is your ticket to the wilder ways through the brush, mud, and rocky terrain. But how do you know if a vehicle can take on the unpredictable conditions that come with going off-roading? And in the case of the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle, how can you determine if the Beetle is the right vehicle for your driving style?

Here with all the answers is

Jerry

, the

super app

that saves drivers money on

car insurance

. We’ll break down the Beetle’s ground clearance, torque, and other specs that separate the casual off-roader from the vehicle that can handle anything. We’ll also review some alternatives to the Beetle and provide some tips on how to save money on car insurance!

Can the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle go off-road?

For the most part, no—the Beetle isn’t a great choice for off-roading. The most it can handle is probably a dirt or gravel roadway.

With a comfortable starting price of $20,895, the 2019 Beetle model is a retro-inspired car that is a great city driver, but not so great for the trail. With only a FWD option and mediocre handling, it’s best you leave off-roading to the pros.

Let’s take a look at some of the limitations of the Volkswagen Beetle when it comes to off-roading.

Ground clearance

Ground clearance is one of the most important specs to consider when you’re looking for an off-road vehicle. It measures how high your vehicle sits above the ground. If you want to avoid damaging the undercarriage of your vehicle, you need to have sufficient ground clearance to safely go off-road.

The Volkswagen Beetle has a ground clearance of 5.7 inches. This is very low, considering that experts recommend between 8.8 and 10.8 inches for ideal off-roading. When you consider that the off-road standard-setting

Jeep Wrangler

has 9.7 inches of minimum clearance, it’s pretty clear that the Beetle should stay on the pavement.

Volkswagen does have a lift-kit option and there are mods that you can purchase to increase the Beetle’s ride height. Without these additions, however, the Beetle doesn’t have enough ground clearance to take on off-road trails.

Torque

To go off the beaten path, you’re going to want a vehicle with low-end torque—or, high amounts of torque at a lower rpm. Maneuverability over rough terrain is way more important than speed on the trail, so having torque that can keep up with changing road conditions is essential.

The 2019 Volkswagen Beetle’s 2.0-liter inline-four engine gets a maximum torque of 184 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm—this isn’t a lot of power. Plus, your Beetle won’t be able to keep up at lower rpms, making it less than ideal for serious off-roading.

Tires

The 2019 Volkswagen Beetle comes with 215/60R T all-season tires.

If you want to upgrade to a more off-road friendly alternative,

all-terrain tires

, or A/T tires, are designed to handle paved roads and off-road terrain with equal capability. Keep in mind that they won’t last as long as standard all-season tires.

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Drivetrain

All-wheel drive is a must for off-roading. Unfortunately, the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle only comes with FWD. Front-wheel drive isn’t ideal for trail driving—if your front wheels lose contact with the ground, you won’t be able to maneuver through bumpy terrain.

Angles

The approach angle and departure angle are also important to know when it comes to off-road capability:

Approach angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference

There are no angles listed for the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle, which goes to show that off-roading is not something the Beetle is built for.

Off-road rating: In a Pinch

To give you an idea of where the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle sits, we’re using

Jerry’s

super-technical DIRT rating system to give it an off-road rating:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

The Beetle earns an I rating: the Beetle really isn’t built for off-roading. Even with modifications and a lift kit, the iconic rounded little guy can only take on light off-roading situations, mostly due to its FWD. Even though the idea of taking a Beetle off-road is charming, the reality is you’re better off finding another vehicle if you’re planning on leaving the beaten trail.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best off-road alternatives to the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle

With so many other and more capable choices for off-road-ready cars, the Beetle just doesn’t make the cut in terms of angles, drivetrain, and ground clearance.

If you’re set on getting a smaller vehicle with some off-road capability, here are some alternatives to the Beetle:

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best family-friendly alternative	2022 MINI Countryman	$29,100	A crossover with adequate passenger space and a hybrid option.
Best Volkswagen alternative	2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI	$29,690	The ultimate sport compact vehicle, the GTI has a 10/10 rating on Car and Driver
Best alternative for off-roading	2022 Subaru Forester	$27,070	With all-wheel drive and a roomy and comfortable cabin, this SUV is ready to take on anything, especially with the Wilderness trim.

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Whichever off-road vehicle you decide to go with, it’s likely you’ll pay more for its insurance. Off-roading comes with increased risks, a factor that your provider takes into consideration when mapping out your premium.

But if you shop for car insurance using the

Jerry

app, you’ll be able to find coverage for less! A

licensed insurance broker

, Jerry partners with over 50 top insurers to bring you the best rates in just 45 seconds.

By using Jerry, you could save an average of $800+ per year on car insurance! Those savings could go towards some sweet off-road mods like a lifted suspension for your Beetle or financing an entirely different off-road-ready vehicle!

“I was tired of looking around multiple websites, so I decided to give
Jerry
a try. Let me tell you—the process is so easy and simple, and they really find you the best prices for your coverage level. Getting insurance for my new car was quick and easy!” —Joanna D.

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