Model Year | 2014 | 2014 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | Dodge Grand Caravan | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5300 207 lb-ft@1700 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 283 hp@6400 260 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 2dr Hatch | 4dr Minivan, ext. | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 100.0 in | 121.2 in | -21.2 in |
Length | 168.4 in | 202.5 in | -34.1 in |
Width | 71.2 in | 78.7 in | -7.5 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 67.9 in | -9.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3104 lb. | 4510 lb. | -1406 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 20.0 gal. | -5.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 39.8 in | -0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.3 in | 63.7 in | -8.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 58.4 in | -58.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 40.7 in | 0.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.1 in | 39.3 in | -2.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 49.0 in | 64.1 in | -15.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 65.0 in | -65 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.4 in | 36.5 in | -5.1 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 37.9 in | -37.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 62.0 in | -62 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 48.7 in | -48.7 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 32.7 in | -32.7 in |
Total Legroom | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 109.9 in (over 3 rows) | -37.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.4 ft3 | 33.0 ft3 | -17.6 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 15.4 | 83.3 ft3 | -67.9 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 29.9 ft3 | 143.8 ft3 | -113.9 ft3 |
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 |
2014 Dodge Grand Caravan Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 283-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I dislike the current emphasis on hard seats (and this applies to most other brands as well- Toyotas and Hondas are the worst). Enthusiast magazines can rave all they want about great support, etc, but the softer seats in friend's '92 Caravan are more comfortable than these in my 2013. I have an SXT model, which is sort of mid level in Grand Caravans, and it does have a power seat. However, that is an OPTION, and it should be standard above the SE model. see full Dodge Grand Caravan review |