Model Year | 2007 | 2014 | |
Model | Mercedes-Benz R-Class | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr SUV | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 126.6 in | 100.0 in | 26.6 in |
Length | 203.0 in | 168.4 in | 34.6 in |
Width | 75.7 in | 71.2 in | 4.5 in |
Height | 65.4 in | 58.5 in | 6.9 in |
Curb Weight | 4829 lb. | 2987 lb. | 1842 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 25.1 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 10.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.8 in | 39.4 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 60.3 in | 55.3 in | 5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 39.8 in | 41.3 in | -1.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 40.4 in | 37.1 in | 3.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 59.6 in | 49.0 in | 10.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.2 in | 31.4 in | 4.8 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 37.2 in | 0.0 in | 37.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 52.8 in | 0.0 in | 52.8 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 32.4 in | 0.0 in | 32.4 in |
Total Legroom | 108.4 in (over 3 rows) | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 35.7 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.3 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | -0.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 42.2 ft3 | 15.4 | 26.8 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 85.0 ft3 | 29.9 ft3 | 55.1 ft3 |
2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Very roomie see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
3rd row seats are big enough and comfortable enough for an adult. 2nd row seats are the best captain chairs I have ever sat in in a car. Glass roof gives additional room appearance. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Great front view, comfortable seats. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 302-horsepower 5.0L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
There is excellent legroom in the middle and rear seats. All four recline. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2007 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 215hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Outstanding room in the second row- tons of leg room. Very comfortable see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2006 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The STANDARD leather seating surfaces on the 2006 front seats - way better feel than artico leather. The adjustment range to get things just right and the head rest. Very cozy. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2006 | 4dr SUV 302-horsepower 5.0L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
3 row seating see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2006 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
This has to be, by far, the roomiest Mercedes period. Back seat comfort, even in the third row, is unmatched. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review |
2006 | 4dr SUV 302-horsepower 5.0L V8 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Seating for 6. Great for kids. Easy to get into. see full Mercedes-Benz R-Class 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 |