Model Year | 2008 | 2014 | |
Model | Subaru Outback | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Wagon | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 100.0 in | 5.1 in |
Length | 188.7 in | 168.4 in | 20.3 in |
Width | 69.7 in | 71.2 in | -1.5 in |
Height | 63.2 in | 58.5 in | 4.7 in |
Curb Weight | 3330 lb. | 2987 lb. | 343 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.9 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 2.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.5 in | 39.4 in | 1.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.4 in | 55.3 in | -0.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 51.0 in | 0.0 in | 51 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 44.1 in | 41.3 in | 2.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.1 in | 37.1 in | 2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.7 in | 49.0 in | 4.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.6 in | 0.0 in | 52.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 33.9 in | 31.4 in | 2.5 in |
Total Legroom | 78 in (over 2 rows) | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 5.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 33.5 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | 18.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 66.2 ft3 | 29.9 ft3 | 36.3 ft3 |
2008 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
A little tight in the left portion of the footwell; small dead pedal. see full Subaru Outback review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Footroom too short. see full Subaru Outback review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
not long enough for a 6 foot 2 inch frame but I manage see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I was amazed at how small the back seat is in this car. Really no bigger than a compact sedan, eg Civic or Corolla. I can't fit my 3 kids (in car seats) back there, and feel bad when co-workers pile in to go to lunch. Surprisingly small for a vehicle this size, and marketed as a "family car." If you plan to put adults or 3 kids back there regularly, look at the '10 or newer (or at something else -- the rear seat in my co-worker's Accord is far bigger and more comfortable). see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Leg and head room lacking for over 6 footers. see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Seat back a bit low for 6 footers. see full Subaru Outback review |
2014 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
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 |