Model Year | 2013 | 2012 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | Mini Clubman | |
Engine | 2.5L I5 DOHC-4v 170 hp@5700 177 lb-ft@4250 |
1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 121 hp@6000 114 lb-ft@4250 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed manual | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | |||
Difference | |||
Total Legroom | 0 in (over 1 rows) | 0 in (over 1 rows) | 0 in |
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 |
2012 Mini Clubman Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Even with the rear-hinged "club door, " the Clubman's rear seat is difficult to get into and out of. The Veloster's third door is considerably larger and more usable, while the Fiesta has four real doors. The Veloster also has much more rear legroom than either the Mini or the Ford, both of which are a tight fit for adults. Compared to the Hardtop, though, the Clubman is significantly more practical. I can sit behind my 5-9 self with a little knee room to spare. Rear headroom is abundant. Even if you're not going to put people in the back seat, the extra door eases access to anything you're storing in the rear seat. When traveling in the RX-8, my father and I frequently use the rear doors to stow and retrieve hiking boots and daypacks. The same might be done with a computer bag or briefcase when commuting. Both the Veloster and the Clubman would benefit from a second rear-hinged door, on the driver's side. see full Mini Clubman review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2012 Mini Clubman.