Model Year | 2013 | 2008 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | Nissan Maxima | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 255 hp@6000 252 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 6-speed shiftable CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 2dr Hatch | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 99.9 in | 111.2 in | -11.3 in |
Length | 168.4 in | 193.5 in | -25.1 in |
Width | 71.2 in | 71.7 in | -0.5 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 58.3 in | 0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3089 lb. | 3579 lb. | -490 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 20.0 gal. | -5.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 40.1 in | -0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.3 in | 57.9 in | -2.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 53.5 in | -53.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 43.9 in | -2.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.1 in | 37.3 in | -0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 49.0 in | 56.5 in | -7.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 54.8 in | -54.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.4 in | 36.5 in | -5.1 in |
Total Legroom | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 80.4 in (over 2 rows) | -7.7 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.4 ft3 | 15.5 ft3 | -0.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 29.9 ft3 | 15.5 ft3 | 14.4 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 |
2008 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Bucket seats hold you in around corners - very supportive. Telescopic steering wheel and power seats ensure you get a great driving position. Both seats and steering wheel are heated. Dual climate control great for passengers. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
It fits everywhere. On a recent trip, I drove all day and was never "seat tired". see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Adjustable everything! Air conditioned driver seat a huge consideration. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2008 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
My tall friends hit there heads on the roofline, they are over 6 foot see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
The rear seat of the 7th gen Maxima is slightly smaller than that of the 6th gen Maxima. Still fairly roomy, but slightly smaller. This is understandable because of the major styling change, and the conversion from 'near luxury family sedan' back to 'near luxury family sedan with a sporty edge' that took place between these generations. see full Nissan Maxima review |