Saab 9-3 Saab 9-3 2009 Volkswagen Beetle Volkswagen Beetle 2012

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Saab 9-3 (2009) vs. Volkswagen Beetle (2012) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2009 Saab 9-3 and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle specs.

2009 Saab 9-3 and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Specifications

Model Year 2009 2012  
Model Saab 9-3 Volkswagen Beetle  
Engine turbocharged
2.8L V6
DOHC-4v
280 hp@5500
295 lb-ft@2150
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 4dr Wagon 2dr Hatch  
      Difference
Wheelbase 105.3 in 99.9 in 5.4 in
Length 183.2 in 168.4 in 14.8 in
Width 69.4 in 71.2 in -1.8 in
Height 60.6 in 58.5 in 2.1 in
Curb Weight 3530 lb. 3089 lb. 441 lb.
Fuel Capacity 16.4 gal. 14.5 gal. 1.9 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.9 in 39.4 in -0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 56.3 in 55.3 in 1 in
Legroom, Row 1 42.3 in 41.3 in 1 in
Headroom, Row 2 37.0 in 37.1 in -0.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 55.1 in 49.0 in 6.1 in
Legroom, Row 2 35.1 in 31.4 in 3.7 in
Total Legroom 77.4 in (over 2 rows) 72.7 in (over 2 rows) 4.7 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 29.7 ft3 15.4 ft3 14.3 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 72.3 ft3 29.9 ft3 42.4 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2009 Saab 9-3

2009 Saab 9-3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Great seats! see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Great seats. Very supportive of back and upper thighs. Don't have tightness in shoulders and neck anymore on long drives. see full Saab 9-3 review
2009 Saab 9-3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Limited knee room in front with rear facing car seat behind. see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
The seats are very comfortable, but those with longer legs (especially thighs) might have trouble getting in a comfortable position. Tall drivers may find some awkwardness with all around reach. I.E. The steering wheel doesn't telescope far enough f see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6
6-speed manual AWD
No space. see full Saab 9-3 review
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
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
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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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See TrueDelta's information for all Saab models.