Model Year | 2008 | 2013 | |
Model | Honda Civic | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 197 hp@7800 139 lb-ft@6200 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 2dr Coupe | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 99.9 in | 4.4 in |
Length | 174.8 in | 168.4 in | 6.4 in |
Width | 68.9 in | 71.2 in | -2.3 in |
Height | 53.5 in | 58.5 in | -5 in |
Curb Weight | 2877 lb. | 3089 lb. | -212 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 14.5 gal. | -1.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.0 in | 39.4 in | -1.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 53.9 in | 55.3 in | -1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 0.0 in | 53 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.6 in | 41.3 in | 1.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 35.1 in | 37.1 in | -2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 52.1 in | 49.0 in | 3.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 49.2 in | 0.0 in | 49.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 30.3 in | 31.4 in | -1.1 in |
Total Legroom | 72.9 in (over 2 rows) | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 0.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 11.5 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | -3.9 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 11.5 ft3 | 29.9 ft3 | -18.4 ft3 |
2008 Honda Civic Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed automatic FWD |
unbelievable much room on the rear seats see full Honda Civic review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 197-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Good lumbar and side support, nicely adjustable seat and wheel. Shifter is very close to the wheel. Fits me like a glove, but my wife does find the seatback slightly tall. see full Honda Civic review |
2007 | 2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed automatic FWD |
very comfortable to drive see full Honda Civic review |
2007 | 2dr Coupe 197-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
great support. the sides basically hold you - which is important because the car can generate serious g-forces going around corners see full Honda Civic review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 197-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Frankly, the best seats I have sat in outside of a couple BMW Ms. Supportive, well bolstered with good lateral support. Also good support for the lower back for long drives. see full Honda Civic review |
2008 Honda Civic Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Driver seat is uncomfortable. Not upright enough. Not a great seat for correct posture. see full Honda Civic review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 110-horsepower 1.3L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD |
No access from trunk area. Also, very strong chemical smell in vehicle...off gassing from fabrics. The prius did not have near the smell. see full Honda Civic review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Seats were rock hard(in summer) see full Honda Civic review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
very poor AC performance during hot weather see full Honda Civic review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed automatic FWD |
not able to fit a rear facing child seat, or very difficult to fit it. we had to even find a small size one. see full Honda Civic review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed automatic FWD |
It took me a long time to find a comfortable driving position in this car. It may because of the low seat. I was finally (mostly) successful, but it took a long time to find it, and it is very different than my typical driving position. Also, not great on long trips -- the seat is generally supportive, but it starts to break down a few hours in. see full Honda Civic review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 110-horsepower 1.3L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD |
Rear seat does not fold down see full Honda Civic review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed automatic FWD |
merely adequate although better than in the past see full Honda Civic review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed automatic FWD |
merely adequate, seats could have more support see full Honda Civic review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 197-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Seat needs an adjustable lumber support. see full Honda Civic review |
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 |