Model Year | 2013 | 2014 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | Kia Forte | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700 |
turbocharged 1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 201 hp@6000 195 lb-ft@1750 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 2dr Hatch | 2dr Coupe | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 99.9 in | 106.3 in | -6.4 in |
Length | 168.4 in | 178.3 in | -9.9 in |
Width | 71.2 in | 70.1 in | 1.1 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 55.5 in | 3 in |
Curb Weight | 3089 lb. | 3064 lb. | 25 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 1.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 38.2 in | 1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.3 in | 55.9 in | -0.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 53.8 in | -53.8 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 42.2 in | -0.9 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.1 in | 36.4 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 49.0 in | 53.0 in | -4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 53.5 in | -53.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.4 in | 35.9 in | -4.5 in |
Total Legroom | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 78.1 in (over 2 rows) | -5.4 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.4 ft3 | 13.3 ft3 | 2.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 29.9 ft3 | 13.3 ft3 | 16.6 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 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | People who need a roomy rear seat don't often buy coupes. So with the Civic Si the coupe is an inch and a half shorter (in both height and length) than the sedan, which translates to nearly three inches less headroom and nearly five inches less legroom in back, making it a very tight fit for even modestly sized adults. Those who do want a roomy rear seat in their coupe will be much happier with the Forte. Compared to the sedan, Kia shaved the Koup's roofline an inch but kept the wheelbase the same. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I had about an inch of clearance over my head and a hand's-width ahead of my knees. Switch to the four-door body styles, and both cars are about equally roomy in back. But only Forte rear seat passengers enjoy rear air vents--in every body style. see full Kia Forte review |
2014 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
One of the best of his kind. Almost unbeatable for a car of this price. see full Kia Forte review |