Model Year | 2016 | 2012 | |
Model | Mini Hardtop | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 189 hp@4700 207 lb-ft@1250 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 2dr Hatch | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 98.2 in | 99.9 in | -1.7 in |
Length | 151.1 in | 168.4 in | -17.3 in |
Width | 68.0 in | 71.2 in | -3.2 in |
Height | 55.7 in | 58.5 in | -2.8 in |
Curb Weight | 2825 lb. | 3089 lb. | -264 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 10.6 gal. | 14.5 gal. | -3.9 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.3 in | 39.4 in | 0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 50.6 in | 55.3 in | -4.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.4 in | 41.3 in | 0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 36.9 in | 37.1 in | -0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 47.8 in | 49.0 in | -1.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 30.8 in | 31.4 in | -0.6 in |
Total Legroom | 72.2 in (over 2 rows) | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | -0.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 8.7 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | -6.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 34.0 ft3 | 29.9 ft3 | 4.1 ft3 |
2016 Mini Hardtop Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The 4 Door has 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the regular Hardtop, but 32.3 inches still isn't much. At 5-9, I can squeeze behind myself with perhaps an inch between my knees and the carved-out front seatbacks. Rear headroom is relatively abundant even though the seat cushion is mounted a comfortable height off the floor. The rear doors, though an improvement over the Clubman's single rear-hinged half-door, are still small and don't open wide. A Ford Fiesta ST might be at least as tight in the back seat, but the GTI, with 35.6 inches of rear legroom, is far roomier and easier to get into and out of. see full Mini Hardtop review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Mini Hardtop.
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 |