Model Year | 2014 | 2009 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | Nissan Maxima | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5300 207 lb-ft@1700 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 290 hp@6400 261 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed shiftable CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 2dr Hatch | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 100.0 in | 109.3 in | -9.3 in |
Length | 168.4 in | 190.6 in | -22.2 in |
Width | 71.2 in | 73.2 in | -2 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 57.8 in | 0.7 in |
Curb Weight | 3056 lb. | 3556 lb. | -500 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 20.0 gal. | -5.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 38.5 in | 0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.3 in | 56.3 in | -1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 53.4 in | -53.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 43.8 in | -2.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.1 in | 36.4 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 49.0 in | 55.1 in | -6.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 53.9 in | -53.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.4 in | 34.6 in | -3.2 in |
Total Legroom | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 78.4 in (over 2 rows) | -5.7 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.4 ft3 | 14.2 ft3 | 1.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 29.9 ft3 | 14.2 ft3 | 15.7 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 |
2009 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Lumbar in the base model. Good side bolstering on bottom cushion and through the shoulders. Large range of adjustment and the wheel tilts and shifts. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Lots of room, soft seats. see full Nissan Maxima review |
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 |
2009 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 |