Model Year | 2013 | 2014 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | BMW X1 | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5300 207 lb-ft@1700 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 240 hp@5000 260 lb-ft@1250 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 8-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD | |
Body | 2dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 99.9 in | 108.7 in | -8.8 in |
Length | 168.4 in | 176.5 in | -8.1 in |
Width | 71.2 in | 70.8 in | 0.4 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 60.8 in | -2.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3089 lb. | 3527 lb. | -438 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 16.6 gal. | -2.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 41.3 in | -1.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.3 in | 55.0 in | 0.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 41.4 in | -0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.1 in | 39.7 in | -2.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 49.0 in | 54.6 in | -5.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.4 in | 34.9 in | -3.5 in |
Total Legroom | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 76.3 in (over 2 rows) | -3.6 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.4 ft3 | 14.8 ft3 | 0.6 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 29.9 ft3 | 47.7 ft3 | -17.8 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 |
2014 BMW X1 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | BMW makes great sport seats, with support in the right places and power-adjustable side bolsters. This said, those in the X1 Sport Line feel less cushy, and so less overtly comfortable, than I recall from other BMWs. The Evoque's front buckets lack adjustable side bolsters, but feel more luxurious. While the BMW wins on support, the Land Rover wins on comfort. Another tie. Update: when I later had an Evoque for a week its seats felt less comfortable than they had during the dealer test drive. So I'm revising this rating in favor of the BMW. see full BMW X1 review |
2014 BMW X1 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The BMW X1's interior dimensions also closely resemble those of the previous-generation 3-Series. Up front, there's a little less space to stretch out than in the X3. But abundant headroom. About half of the X1's additional height is over one's head--you sit only a couple inches higher than in the 3-Series. This additional airspace also distinguishes the X1 from the allroad. Rear seat room could be more of an issue. As in the old 3 and the new allroad, a couple of average-sized adults will fit behind a couple more with perhaps an inch or two of clearance for their knees, while a third would be a squeeze. The seat back reclines, but the seat cushion is too low to provide good thigh support. The Evoque is similarly a less-than-ideal choice for four-plus adults taking a long trip. see full BMW X1 review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 BMW X1.