Model Year | 2008 | 2012 | |
Model | Kia Optima | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | 2.7L V6 DOHC-4v 185 hp@6000 183 lb-ft@4000 |
2.5L I5 DOHC-4v 170 hp@5700 177 lb-ft@4250 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,537 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,735 mm | 4,277 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,806 mm | 1,808 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,481 mm | 1,486 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,491 kg | 1,353 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 64 L | 55 L | 9 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 1,011 mm | 1,001 mm | 0 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,450 mm | 1,405 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,384 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,110 mm | 1,049 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 965 mm | 942 mm | 23 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,430 mm | 1,245 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,389 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 960 mm | 798 mm | 162 mm |
Total Legroom | 2,070 mm (over 2 rows) | 1,847 mm (over 2 rows) | 1 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 419 L | 436 L | -17 L |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 14.8 | 847 L | -832.2 |
2008 Kia Optima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Spacious enough to allow my 84 year old mother to get in and out without injuring herself! see full Kia Optima review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
After driving the Optima for five days straight for 10+ hours per day, other than the occasional stop, on a road trip, not one time did I get a sore back or thighs. see full Kia Optima 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 |