Volkswagen Beetle (2014) vs. Dodge Grand Caravan (2012) Specs

vs.

◆

2014 Volkswagen Beetle and 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Specifications

Model Year	2014	2012
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

2012 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
2012	4dr Minivan, ext. 283-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Nice car, but front seats could be better. Close to a deal breaker. see full Dodge Grand Caravan review

See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks and Convertibles.

See TrueDelta's information for all Volkswagen models.