Model Year | 2014 | 2009 | |
Model | Volkswagen Beetle | Saturn ASTRA | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 2dr Hatch | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 100.0 in | 102.9 in | -2.9 in |
Length | 168.4 in | 170.5 in | -2.1 in |
Width | 71.2 in | 69.0 in | 2.2 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 55.8 in | 2.7 in |
Curb Weight | 2987 lb. | 2833 lb. | 154 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 12.2 gal. | 2.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 37.8 in | 1.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.3 in | 53.9 in | 1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 51.3 in | -51.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 42.3 in | -1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.1 in | 36.6 in | 0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 49.0 in | 52.7 in | -3.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 51.0 in | -51 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.4 in | 35.0 in | -3.6 in |
Total Legroom | 72.7 in (over 2 rows) | 77.3 in (over 2 rows) | -4.6 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.4 ft3 | 12.0 ft3 | 3.4 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 29.9 ft3 | 38.0 ft3 | -8.1 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 Saturn ASTRA Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Tilt/telescopic steering and with 8 way adjustable drivers seat. I was able to find my near perfect driving position. Every automaker should make a drivers seat manual lumbar standard, then it would be perfect. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Being a 5 door hatch, there is plenty of room in the back for 2 full size adults or 3 children/teens. With the hatch, there is lots of room for bulky stuff. Like a Mini-SUV in cargo hauling. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The European styled seats are great! Very supportive, but not too firm, and the seat back adjustment is exceptionally simple. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Leather seats with lumbar is very comfortable. Lots of leg room, even for tall people. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I run 6', 300# and this is one of the few smaller cars I can drive in reasonable comfort while taking the back roads. Nice lateral support and my back doesn't give me fits when I get out. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I have the cloth seats, which I had read didn't offer good back or thigh support. I find this to be very untrue even without adjustable lumbar support. I did switch out my stock steering wheel with a leather VXR wheel from Britain, which REALLY gave this car a premium feel. The stock seats support my back very well (6'2") and also find there to be just enough leg room with my seat almost all the way back, thigh support is a bit lacking, but for such a tiny car they really did a good job making it feel like a much bigger car. I also highly recommend buying and installing the Boomerang armrest and cup holder to maximize your Astra comfort. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
at 6ft 1 in , has plenty of leg and head room. Comfortable to get in and out of see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Seat fits just right. Plenty of adjustment range between seat and steering wheel. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Harder than most american seats. Very comfortable for long hauls. No need for armrest! see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2009 Saturn ASTRA Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Narrow seats and tough entry/exit due to low roofline. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
See above. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
My only concern about front seat room isn't about the seats at all, but that the peddles in the 5 speed are very small and very very close together, which for me with size 13 feet can create a problem. I have caught my feet together and accidently stomped on the break when trying to push in the clutch, which upsets everyone driving behind me, but provides a good laugh for me. see full Saturn ASTRA review |