Model Year | 2015 | 2014 | |
Model | Nissan Quest | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 260 hp@6000 240 lb-ft@4400 |
turbocharged 1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 170 hp@4800 184 lb-ft@1500 |
|
Transmission | CVT | 5-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Minivan, ext. | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 118.1 in | 100.0 in | 18.1 in |
Length | 200.8 in | 168.4 in | 32.4 in |
Width | 77.6 in | 71.2 in | 6.4 in |
Height | 71.5 in | 58.5 in | 13 in |
Curb Weight | 4367 lb. | 2948 lb. | 1419 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 20.0 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 5.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 39.4 in | 2.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 64.5 in | 55.3 in | 9.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 57.3 in | 0.0 in | 57.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.8 in | 41.3 in | 2.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 41.6 in | 37.1 in | 4.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 63.2 in | 49.0 in | 14.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 66.0 in | 0.0 in | 66 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.7 in | 31.4 in | 5.3 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 40.0 in | 0.0 in | 40 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 61.2 in | 0.0 in | 61.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 49.6 in | 0.0 in | 49.6 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 40.5 in | 0.0 in | 40.5 in |
Total Legroom | 121 in (over 3 rows) | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 48.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 35.1 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | 19.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 63.6 ft3 | 15.4 | 48.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 108.4 ft3 | 29.9 ft3 | 78.5 ft3 |
2015 Nissan Quest Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 260-horsepower 3.5L V6 CVT FWD |
Here's the main reason I bought this van: my kids! Of all the vans we tested, they believed the second and third row seats were the most comfortable. Some may laugh at the boxy shape and fat rear end of the Quest, but the reason it's designed that way is because it maximizes interior room. I'm 6'1" (taller in the torso than legs) and even I think the van is spacious when I sit in the third row. The head and shoulder room is incredible. The seats are all very comfortable. The soft suspension makes riding as a passenger a pleasure. So, despite all the shortcomings I mention in this review, in my opinion, the Quest tops all the competitors in the category of passenger and driver comfort. The pleasing and luxurious interior materials contribute to this. Too bad the production of this iteration of the Quest appears to be in its final chapter. see full Nissan Quest review |
2014 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | 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 |