Model Year | 2014 | 2013 | |
Model | Acura MDX | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 OHC-4v 290 hp@6200 267 lb-ft@4500 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 111.0 in | 99.9 in | 11.1 in |
Length | 193.6 in | 168.4 in | 25.2 in |
Width | 77.2 in | 71.2 in | 6 in |
Height | 66.7 in | 58.5 in | 8.2 in |
Curb Weight | 4025 lb. | 3089 lb. | 936 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 19.5 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 39.4 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 61.1 in | 55.3 in | 5.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 0.0 in | 57.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.4 in | 41.3 in | 0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.3 in | 37.1 in | 1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 59.1 in | 49.0 in | 10.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 57.8 in | 0.0 in | 57.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.6 in | 31.4 in | 5.2 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 35.6 in | 0.0 in | 35.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 54.7 in | 0.0 in | 54.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 40.6 in | 0.0 in | 40.6 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 28.1 in | 0.0 in | 28.1 in |
Total Legroom | 106.1 in (over 3 rows) | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 33.4 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 14.8 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | -0.6 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 38.4 ft3 | 15.4 | 23 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 68.4 ft3 | 29.9 ft3 | 38.5 ft3 |
2014 Acura MDX Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
That's it for the significant advantages of the new Acura MDX. Most things it does well, but not significantly better than the generally good segment averages. It's quick, but not thrillingly so. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and cushier than those in the Infiniti, but provide less lateral support than those in the smaller Acura RDX and are no match in comfort or support for those in a BMW X5, a Lexus RX, or the big buck Mercedes reviewed a few weeks ago. Ride quality, like the seats, is good but short of luxurious. With additional sound deadening and laminated front door glass, the 2014 MDX is quieter than the 2013, but this only brings it in line with the others. By the same token, there aren't many clear reasons to reject the 2014 MDX. The most obvious follows from its relatively compact size: though (as already mentioned) cargo volume is more than competitive, there's less room in the rearmost row than in the QX60. By sliding the second row up a couple of inches (it has a half-foot of travel), adults of middling size will fit back there. But with their butt low and knees high they won't be comfortable. The QX60 offers far more combined legroom based on the spec sheets, and a couple more inches in the real world. (The Acura's specs seem to under-represent reality for passengers even as they might over-represent it for cargo.) But the Infiniti's seats are flatter and less comfortable. The new Hyundai Santa Fe offers more legroom than the Infiniti, while Ford's large crossovers could be best of all for transporting up to seven adults--if still not as good as the typical minivan. see full Acura MDX review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 Acura MDX.
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2012 | Back in the 1960s VW entreated Americans to "think small." Lately, though, the German manufacturers cars have been getting bigger and bigger. The latest redesign added over two inches to the car's length (now 168 inches) and over two inches to its width (now a midsize-like 71.2 inches. Compared to the 146-by-66-inch, 2,822-pound Mini and the 140-by-64-inch, 2,434-pound Fiat, the 3,340-pound Beetle TDI convertible is a big, heavy car. As noted earlier, solidity and ride quality benefit from this additional bulk. But rear seat room does not. Sure, the Beetle Convertible's rear seat is more viable than the MINI's, but bars to clear rarely come lower. The Fiat is in the same (adults-in-a-pinch) ballpark. In addition to the space shortage, the VW's rear seat back is uncomfortably upright. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 0 | The rear seat is also surprisingly roomy. My 6'2" father was able to sit comfortably in the back for ~30 min hops around town. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The back seat, if you could really call it that, leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe another 3 in. That being said it fits a car seat with my 6' frame in the front seat ahead of it, so it gets the job done. Once the top goes down the interior space seems adequate. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |
2012 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
I love my Beetle, but the rear seat legspace is not so good. For me its no problem at all, since normally only my wife and i drive the car, but when you normally have to drive with 4 adults, it can become crampy at the back. If the driver and front passenger are not that tall, the rear legspace is quite good. Even the headspace is ok. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |