Hyundai Santa Fe (2009) vs. Volkswagen Beetle (2012) Specs

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2009 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Specifications

Model Year	2009	2012
Model	Hyundai Santa Fe	Volkswagen Beetle
Engine	3.3L V6 DOHC-4v 242 hp@6000 226 lb-ft@4500	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700
Transmission	5-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed automated manual
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr SUV	2dr Hatch
			Difference
Wheelbase	106.3 in	99.9 in	6.4 in
Length	184.1 in	168.4 in	15.7 in
Width	74.4 in	71.2 in	3.2 in
Height	67.9 in	58.5 in	9.4 in
Curb Weight	3846 lb.	3089 lb.	757 lb.
Fuel Capacity	19.8 gal.	14.5 gal.	5.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.2 in	39.4 in	0.8 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	59.5 in	55.3 in	4.2 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.8 in	0.0 in	55.8 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.6 in	41.3 in	1.3 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.6 in	37.1 in	2.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	58.6 in	49.0 in	9.6 in
Hip Room, Row 2	55.0 in	0.0 in	55 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.8 in	31.4 in	5.4 in
Headroom, Row 3	34.8 in	0.0 in	34.8 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	53.9 in	0.0 in	53.9 in
Hip Room, Row 3	44.6 in	0.0 in	44.6 in
Legroom, Row 3	31.3 in	0.0 in	31.3 in
Total Legroom	110.7 in (over 3 rows)	72.7 in (over 2 rows)	38 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	10.0 ft³	15.4 ft³	-5.4 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	34.2 ft³	15.4	18.8 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	78.2 ft³	29.9 ft³	48.3 ft³

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr SUV 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Fits my back and legs better than my last car see full Hyundai Santa Fe review
2008	4dr SUV turbocharged 148hp 2.2L I4 Diesel 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	It has leather seats with electric adjustment, so I can get a good seating position. see full Hyundai Santa Fe review

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

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

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