BMW i3 vs Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2014 catalog dimensions. BMW i3 · Volkswagen Beetle

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length157.0 in
  • Height62.0 in
  • Wheelbase101.0 in
  • Ground clearance5.5 in
  • Curb weight2,799 lb – 3,064 lb
Front / width
  • Width70.0 in
  • Volkswagen Beetle width71.2 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW i3 is 11.4 in shorter (157.0 in vs 168.4 in)
  • Width: BMW i3 is 1.2 in narrower (70.0 in vs 71.2 in)
  • Height: BMW i3 is 3.8 in taller (62.0 in vs 58.3 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW i3 has a 1.0 in longer wheelbase (101.0 in vs 100.0 in)
  • Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 186 lb heavier (2,932 lb vs 3,118 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Length: BMW i3 is 11.4 in shorter (157.0 in vs 168.4 in)
  2. Height: BMW i3 is 3.8 in taller (62.0 in vs 58.3 in)
  3. Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 186 lb heavier (2,932 lb vs 3,118 lb)
  4. Width: BMW i3 is 1.2 in narrower (70.0 in vs 71.2 in)
  5. Wheelbase: BMW i3 has a 1.0 in longer wheelbase (101.0 in vs 100.0 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW i3BMW i3 is shorter by 11.4 in Check garage fit for BMW i3 · garage fit for Volkswagen Beetle
  • Narrower for tight parkingBMW i3BMW i3 is narrower by 1.2 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW i3Based on length × width (BMW i3)

Dimension comparison

SpecBMW i3Volkswagen BeetleDifference
Length157.0 in168.4 in11.4 in
Width70.0 in71.2 in1.2 in
Height62.0 in58.3 in3.8 in
Wheelbase101.0 in100.0 in1.0 in
Ground clearance5.5 in
Curb weight2,932 lb3,118 lb186 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range.

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

Already own one of these cars?

Jump to maintenance sizes on the vehicle page — tires, wipers, battery, and oil when present in the catalog.