Volkswagen Beetle (2012) vs. Honda Odyssey (2008) Specs

vs.

◆

2012 Volkswagen Beetle and 2008 Honda Odyssey Specifications

Model Year	2012	2008
Model	Volkswagen Beetle	Honda Odyssey
Engine	2.5L I5 DOHC-4v 170 hp@5700 177 lb-ft@4250	3.5L V6 OHC-4v 244 hp@5750 240 lb-ft@5000
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	5-speed automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	2dr Hatch	4dr Minivan, ext.
			Difference
Wheelbase	99.9 in	118.1 in	-18.2 in
Length	168.4 in	202.1 in	-33.7 in
Width	71.2 in	77.1 in	-5.9 in
Height	58.5 in	68.8 in	-10.3 in
Curb Weight	2983 lb.	4385 lb.	-1402 lb.
Fuel Capacity	14.5 gal.	21.0 gal.	-6.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.4 in	40.9 in	-1.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.3 in	63.5 in	-8.2 in
Hip Room, Row 1	0.0 in	57.0 in	-57 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.3 in	40.8 in	0.5 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.1 in	40.0 in	-2.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	49.0 in	63.1 in	-14.1 in
Hip Room, Row 2	0.0 in	64.4 in	-64.4 in
Legroom, Row 2	31.4 in	40.0 in	-8.6 in
Headroom, Row 3	0.0 in	38.4 in	-38.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	0.0 in	61.2 in	-61.2 in
Hip Room, Row 3	0.0 in	48.5 in	-48.5 in
Legroom, Row 3	0.0 in	41.1 in	-41.1 in
Total Legroom	72.7 in (over 2 rows)	121.9 in (over 3 rows)	-49.2 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	15.4 ft³	38.4 ft³	-23 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	15.4	91.1 ft³	-75.7
Cargo Volume, Maximum	29.9 ft³	147.4 ft³	-117.5 ft³

Return to top

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2012 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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2012 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

2012 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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Honda Odyssey

2008 Honda Odyssey Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	Absolutely no complaints here. see full Honda Odyssey review
2009	4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	No complaints for the second row. Have never sat in the third row. see full Honda Odyssey review
2008	4dr Minivan, ext. 241-horsepower 3.5L V6 w/DoD 5-speed automatic FWD	Needed comfortable front seats for a large dad (@230) pounds and a tiny grandfather (@95 pounds, 4feet, 5 inches tall). These seats are the best for the comfort of such various sizes. see full Honda Odyssey review
2008	4dr Minivan, ext. 241-horsepower 3.5L V6 w/DoD 5-speed automatic FWD	Comfortable and roomy for adults and children alike. Wonderful for those long road trip to disney with the entire family. see full Honda Odyssey review
2007	4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	Comfortable seating position. see full Honda Odyssey review
2007	4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	Kids love the rear seats. see full Honda Odyssey review
2007	4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.5L V6 w/DoD 5-speed automatic FWD	See previous. see full Honda Odyssey review
2007	4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	The captains chairs in the second row can be apart or together. It is easy to get to the third row seat. There is plenty of leg room in the second and third row seats, and plenty of room between the second row seats. see full Honda Odyssey review

2008 Honda Odyssey Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	0	Why can't manufacturers make the passenger seat as comfortable with as many adjustments as the driver's side? see full Honda Odyssey review
2007	4dr Minivan, ext. 244-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD	No back support, no thigh support. Seat headrests curve your spine forward. Seat shape was not the same for all four captain chairs. Quality control must be very poor. see full Honda Odyssey review

See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks and Convertibles.

See TrueDelta's information for all Volkswagen models.