Spec Sizes

BMW i3 vs Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2014 vs 2019 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 width71.9 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW i3 is 11.8 in shorter (157.0 in vs 168.8 in)
  • Width: BMW i3 is 1.9 in narrower (70.0 in vs 71.9 in)
  • Height: BMW i3 is 3.7 in taller (62.0 in vs 58.3 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW i3 has a 0.9 in longer wheelbase (101.0 in vs 100.1 in)
  • Ground clearance: Volkswagen Beetle has 0.2 in more ground clearance (5.5 in vs 5.7 in)
  • Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 211 lb heavier (2,932 lb vs 3,142 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Length: BMW i3 is 11.8 in shorter (157.0 in vs 168.8 in)
  2. Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 211 lb heavier (2,932 lb vs 3,142 lb)
  3. Height: BMW i3 is 3.7 in taller (62.0 in vs 58.3 in)
  4. Ground clearance: Volkswagen Beetle has 0.2 in more ground clearance (5.5 in vs 5.7 in)
  5. Width: BMW i3 is 1.9 in narrower (70.0 in vs 71.9 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW i3 — BMW i3 is shorter by 11.8 in Check garage fit for BMW i3 · garage fit for Volkswagen Beetle
  • Narrower for tight parkingBMW i3 — BMW i3 is narrower by 1.9 in
  • More ground clearanceVolkswagen Beetle — Volkswagen Beetle has 0.2 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW i3 — Based on length × width (BMW i3)

Dimension comparison

SpecBMW i3Volkswagen BeetleDifference
Length157.0 in168.8 in11.8 in
Width70.0 in71.9 in1.9 in
Height62.0 in58.3 in3.7 in
Wheelbase101.0 in100.1 in0.9 in
Ground clearance5.5 in5.7 in0.2 in
Curb weight2,932 lb3,142 lb211 lb

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

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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