Model Year | 2014 | 2012 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | Ford Taurus | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5300 207 lb-ft@1700 |
turbocharged 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 365 hp@5500 350 lb-ft@3500 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 2dr Hatch | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 100.0 in | 112.9 in | -12.9 in |
Length | 168.4 in | 202.9 in | -34.5 in |
Width | 71.2 in | 76.2 in | -5 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 60.7 in | -2.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3056 lb. | 4415 lb. | -1359 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 20.0 gal. | -5.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 39.0 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.3 in | 57.9 in | -2.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 56.3 in | -56.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 41.9 in | -0.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.1 in | 37.8 in | -0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 49.0 in | 56.9 in | -7.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 55.8 in | -55.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.4 in | 38.1 in | -6.7 in |
Total Legroom | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 80 in (over 2 rows) | -7.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.4 ft3 | 20.1 ft3 | -4.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 29.9 ft3 | 20.1 ft3 | 9.8 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 Ford Taurus Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Three adult room in the back seat - comfortably! see full Ford Taurus review |
2012 Ford Taurus Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 0 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The front seats are horrible- similar to airline seats, and no amount of adjusting or adding cushions helped. I'm 6'2 and my wife is 5'3.and neither of us could get comfortable. After 2 weeks, it was actually painful to drive this car. see full Ford Taurus review |
2012 | 0 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Not enough headroom for adults in the rear seat. Seat comfort is as poor as the front seats. see full Ford Taurus review |