Model Year | 2014 | 2017 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | Mazda MX-5 Miata | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5300 207 lb-ft@1700 |
2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 155 hp@6000 148 lb-ft@4600 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD | |
Body | 2dr Convertible | 2dr Convertible | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 100.0 in | 90.9 in | 9.1 in |
Length | 168.4 in | 154.1 in | 14.3 in |
Width | 71.2 in | 68.3 in | 2.9 in |
Height | 58.0 in | 48.6 in | 9.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3274 lb. | 2381 lb. | 893 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 11.9 gal. | 2.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.3 in | 37.4 in | 1.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.3 in | 52.2 in | 3.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 52.0 in | -52 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 43.1 in | -1.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 0.0 in | 37.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 43.1 in | 0.0 in | 43.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.4 in | 0.0 in | 31.4 in |
Total Legroom | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 43.1 in (over 1 rows) | 29.6 in |
Cargo Volume | 7.1 ft3 | 4.6 ft3 | 2.5 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 |
2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The most obvious reason not to buy any Mazda MX-5 Miata? The thing that kept me from buying one: no back seat. The MINI Roadster also had not back seat, while the MINI Convertible and Scion FR-S have vestigial perches on which only my smallest child might sit semi-comfortably. In contrast, I can fit all three of my teenagers into my Mazda RX-8. But if my wife also wants to come along, we have to take our other car. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata.