Model Year | 2013 | 2009 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | BMW 5-Series | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 2dr Hatch | 4dr Wagon | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 99.9 in | 113.6 in | -13.7 in |
Length | 168.4 in | 191.2 in | -22.8 in |
Width | 71.2 in | 72.7 in | -1.5 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 58.7 in | -0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 2939 lb. | 3659 lb. | -720 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 18.5 gal. | -4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 37.6 in | 1.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.3 in | 57.3 in | -2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 41.5 in | -0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.1 in | 37.6 in | -0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 49.0 in | 57.2 in | -8.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.4 in | 36.0 in | -4.6 in |
Total Legroom | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 77.5 in (over 2 rows) | -4.8 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.4 ft3 | 17.6 ft3 | -2.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 29.9 ft3 | 58.3 ft3 | -28.4 ft3 |
2013 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 |
2013 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 |
2013 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 |
2009 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
All I need. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The sport seats offer exceptional levels of adjustment. I especially like the extendable leg support and the tilt of the upper back. The lumbar in the sport seats adjusts in up and down as well. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The comfort seat option is to die for. There is NO production automobile mfg that produces a seat that comfortable. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
At 6-foot-6, I have enough legroom. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Twenty-way adjustable seat. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2009 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
People 5 foot 3 and above cannot sit comfortably in the back seat on long trips. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Almost limo sized with very comfortable shaping. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 360-horsepower 4.8L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A little tight in the rear, but it is a mid-size sedan. see full BMW 5-Series review |