Volkswagen Beetle (2012) vs. Nissan Quest (2015) Specs

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2012 Volkswagen Beetle and 2015 Nissan Quest Specifications

Model Year	2012	2015
Model	Volkswagen Beetle	Nissan Quest
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 260 hp@6000 240 lb-ft@4400
Transmission	6-speed automated manual	CVT
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	2dr Hatch	4dr Minivan, ext.
			Difference
Wheelbase	99.9 in	118.1 in	-18.2 in
Length	168.4 in	200.8 in	-32.4 in
Width	71.2 in	77.6 in	-6.4 in
Height	58.5 in	71.5 in	-13 in
Curb Weight	3089 lb.	4367 lb.	-1278 lb.
Fuel Capacity	14.5 gal.	20.0 gal.	-5.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.4 in	42.1 in	-2.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.3 in	64.5 in	-9.2 in
Hip Room, Row 1	0.0 in	57.3 in	-57.3 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.3 in	43.8 in	-2.5 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.1 in	41.6 in	-4.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	49.0 in	63.2 in	-14.2 in
Hip Room, Row 2	0.0 in	66.0 in	-66 in
Legroom, Row 2	31.4 in	36.7 in	-5.3 in
Headroom, Row 3	0.0 in	40.0 in	-40 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	0.0 in	61.2 in	-61.2 in
Hip Room, Row 3	0.0 in	49.6 in	-49.6 in
Legroom, Row 3	0.0 in	40.5 in	-40.5 in
Total Legroom	72.7 in (over 2 rows)	121 in (over 3 rows)	-48.3 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	15.4 ft³	35.1 ft³	-19.7 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	15.4	63.6 ft³	-48.2
Cargo Volume, Maximum	29.9 ft³	108.4 ft³	-78.5 ft³

2012 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

2012 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

2012 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

2015 Nissan Quest Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Minivan, ext. 260-horsepower 3.5L V6 CVT FWD	Here's the main reason I bought this van: my kids! Of all the vans we tested, they believed the second and third row seats were the most comfortable. Some may laugh at the boxy shape and fat rear end of the Quest, but the reason it's designed that way is because it maximizes interior room. I'm 6'1" (taller in the torso than legs) and even I think the van is spacious when I sit in the third row. The head and shoulder room is incredible. The seats are all very comfortable. The soft suspension makes riding as a passenger a pleasure. So, despite all the shortcomings I mention in this review, in my opinion, the Quest tops all the competitors in the category of passenger and driver comfort. The pleasing and luxurious interior materials contribute to this. Too bad the production of this iteration of the Quest appears to be in its final chapter. see full Nissan Quest review

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