Ford Focus (2008) vs. Volkswagen Beetle (2012) Specs

vs.

◆

2008 Ford Focus and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Specifications

Model Year	2008	2012
Model	Ford Focus	Volkswagen Beetle
Engine	2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 140 hp@6000 136 lb-ft@4250	2.5L I5 DOHC-4v 170 hp@5700 177 lb-ft@4250
Transmission	4-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	2dr Coupe	2dr Hatch
			Difference
Wheelbase	102.9 in	99.9 in	3 in
Length	175.0 in	168.4 in	6.6 in
Width	66.7 in	71.2 in	-4.5 in
Height	58.6 in	58.5 in	0.1 in
Curb Weight	2610 lb.	2983 lb.	-373 lb.
Fuel Capacity	13.5 gal.	14.5 gal.	-1 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.2 in	39.4 in	-0.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	53.5 in	55.3 in	-1.8 in
Hip Room, Row 1	50.4 in	0.0 in	50.4 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.7 in	41.3 in	0.4 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.3 in	37.1 in	1.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	53.7 in	49.0 in	4.7 in
Hip Room, Row 2	50.9 in	0.0 in	50.9 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.1 in	31.4 in	4.7 in
Total Legroom	77.8 in (over 2 rows)	72.7 in (over 2 rows)	5.1 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	13.8 ft³	15.4 ft³	-1.6 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	13.8 ft³	29.9 ft³	-16.1 ft³

Return to top

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Ford Focus

2008 Ford Focus Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	2dr Coupe 143-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	2 door is easy to get in and out of. The leather seating option makes for a comfortable ride especially for such a small car. see full Ford Focus review
2007	4dr Wagon 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	The first-generation Focus has great seats -- cushy, well-bolstered, and high off the floor. see full Ford Focus review
2007	4dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	It was a pleasant surprise when we discovered how comfortable the front seats were for long road trips. They are contoured enough so I can lay the seat back, with a small pillow and take a nice long nap. This is probably highly subjective, but for us, the car seats have been just what we wanted. see full Ford Focus review
2007	2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	The front seat has more room than one would expect. I have yet to encounter someone who has not fit inside comfortably, despite their size. Being over 6ft tall, I drive daily without feeling cramped or enclosed. see full Ford Focus review
2007	4dr Sedan 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Ample room. see full Ford Focus review
2007	2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	Lots of room for a big guy like me. see full Ford Focus review
2007	2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	Can drive for long distances without succuming to fatigue. see full Ford Focus review

2008 Ford Focus Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	2dr Coupe 143-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Limited space for larger passengers. see full Ford Focus review
2009	4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Due to the lack of rear seat room, you must slide the front seats forward to prevent a child from kicking their feet on the back of the seats. Only a booster seat with the front seats forward will minimize this problem. see full Ford Focus review
2009	4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	No rear armrest. Only one cupholder. see full Ford Focus review
2007	2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Not the best, but ok for a 2 door hatch. see full Ford Focus review
2007	4dr Sedan 151-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Another two inches of legroom sure would be nice. see full Ford Focus review
2007	4dr Sedan 151-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Very average for its class. Not a place for grownups for long. see full Ford Focus review

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2012 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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2012 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

2012 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

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans, Coupes, Hatchbacks, and Wagons.

See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models.