Spec Sizes

BMW i3 vs Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2018 catalog dimensions. BMW i3 · Volkswagen Beetle

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

Side view
  • Length158.1 in – 158.3 in
  • Height62.6 in – 62.9 in
  • Wheelbase101.2 in
  • Curb weight2,961 lb – 3,278 lb
Front / width
  • Width69.9 in – 70.5 in
  • Volkswagen Beetle width71.7 in – 71.9 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW i3 is 10.6 in shorter (158.2 in vs 168.8 in)
  • Width: BMW i3 is 1.6 in narrower (70.2 in vs 71.8 in)
  • Height: BMW i3 is 4.2 in taller (62.8 in vs 58.5 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW i3 has a 1.2 in longer wheelbase (101.2 in vs 100.0 in)
  • Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 27 lb heavier (3,120 lb vs 3,146 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Height: BMW i3 is 4.2 in taller (62.8 in vs 58.5 in)
  2. Length: BMW i3 is 10.6 in shorter (158.2 in vs 168.8 in)
  3. Width: BMW i3 is 1.6 in narrower (70.2 in vs 71.8 in)
  4. Wheelbase: BMW i3 has a 1.2 in longer wheelbase (101.2 in vs 100.0 in)
  5. Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 27 lb heavier (3,120 lb vs 3,146 lb)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW i3 — BMW i3 is shorter by 10.6 in Check garage fit for BMW i3 · garage fit for Volkswagen Beetle
  • Narrower for tight parkingBMW i3 — BMW i3 is narrower by 1.6 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW i3 — Based on length × width (BMW i3)

Dimension comparison

SpecBMW i3Volkswagen BeetleDifference
Length158.2 in168.8 in10.6 in
Width70.2 in71.8 in1.6 in
Height62.8 in58.5 in4.2 in
Wheelbase101.2 in100.0 in1.2 in
Ground clearance—5.9 in—
Curb weight3,120 lb3,146 lb27 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range (e.g. length 158.1 in – 158.3 in).

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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