Model Year | 2010 | 2014 | |
Model | Saab 9-3 | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5500 221 lb-ft@2500 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5300 207 lb-ft@1700 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 2dr Convertible | 2dr Convertible | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 105.3 in | 100.0 in | 5.3 in |
Length | 182.4 in | 168.4 in | 14 in |
Width | 69.3 in | 71.2 in | -1.9 in |
Height | 56.4 in | 58.0 in | -1.6 in |
Curb Weight | 3530 lb. | 3274 lb. | 256 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.4 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 1.9 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 39.3 in | -1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 55.3 in | 0.6 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.4 in | 41.3 in | 0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.0 in | 37.6 in | -0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 44.7 in | 43.1 in | 1.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 32.3 in | 31.4 in | 0.9 in |
Total Legroom | 73.7 in (over 2 rows) | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 1 in |
Cargo Volume | 12.4 ft3 | 7.1 ft3 | 5.3 ft3 |
2010 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 |
2010 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 |
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 |