Model Year | 2008 | 2014 | |
Model | BMW 1-Series | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 2dr Convertible | 2dr Convertible | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,659 mm | 2,540 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,374 mm | 4,277 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,748 mm | 1,808 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,412 mm | 1,473 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,585 kg | 1,432 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 53 L | 55 L | -2 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 980 mm | 998 mm | -18 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,372 mm | 1,405 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,052 mm | 1,049 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 940 mm | 955 mm | -15 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,072 mm | 1,095 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 813 mm | 798 mm | 15 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,864 mm (over 2 rows) | 1,847 mm (over 2 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume | 241 L | 201 L | 40 L |
2008 BMW 1-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Good seats, very adjustable. see full BMW 1-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Sport seats are great see full BMW 1-Series review |
2008 BMW 1-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Convertible 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Either young children for longer drives or most adults for trips below 30-40 miles each way. Just a "small car" (though with more rear-room that Lexus 250-350 4-door series!). see full BMW 1-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Impractical for adults for anything but short runs see full BMW 1-Series review |
2014 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
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 |
2014 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 |