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 |
2009 Saab 9-3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
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 |