Spec Sizes

Mazda Mazda3 vs Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2018 catalog dimensions. Mazda Mazda3 · Volkswagen Beetle

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

Side view
  • Length175.6 in – 180.3 in
  • Height57.3 in
  • Wheelbase106.3 in
  • Ground clearance6.1 in
  • Curb weight2,875 lb – 3,046 lb
Front / width
  • Width70.7 in
  • Volkswagen Beetle width71.7 in – 71.9 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Volkswagen Beetle is 9.2 in shorter (177.9 in vs 168.8 in)
  • Width: Mazda Mazda3 is 1.1 in narrower (70.7 in vs 71.8 in)
  • Height: Volkswagen Beetle is 1.3 in taller (57.3 in vs 58.5 in)
  • Wheelbase: Mazda Mazda3 has a 6.3 in longer wheelbase (106.3 in vs 100.0 in)
  • Ground clearance: Mazda Mazda3 has 0.2 in more ground clearance (6.1 in vs 5.9 in)
  • Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 186 lb heavier (2,961 lb vs 3,146 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Wheelbase: Mazda Mazda3 has a 6.3 in longer wheelbase (106.3 in vs 100.0 in)
  2. Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 186 lb heavier (2,961 lb vs 3,146 lb)
  3. Length: Volkswagen Beetle is 9.2 in shorter (177.9 in vs 168.8 in)
  4. Ground clearance: Mazda Mazda3 has 0.2 in more ground clearance (6.1 in vs 5.9 in)
  5. Height: Volkswagen Beetle is 1.3 in taller (57.3 in vs 58.5 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageVolkswagen Beetle — Volkswagen Beetle is shorter by 9.2 in Check garage fit for Mazda Mazda3 · garage fit for Volkswagen Beetle
  • Narrower for tight parkingMazda Mazda3 — Mazda Mazda3 is narrower by 1.1 in
  • More ground clearanceMazda Mazda3 — Mazda Mazda3 has 0.2 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintVolkswagen Beetle — Based on length × width (Volkswagen Beetle)

Dimension comparison

SpecMazda Mazda3Volkswagen BeetleDifference
Length177.9 in168.8 in9.2 in
Width70.7 in71.8 in1.1 in
Height57.3 in58.5 in1.3 in
Wheelbase106.3 in100.0 in6.3 in
Ground clearance6.1 in5.9 in0.2 in
Curb weight2,961 lb3,146 lb186 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range (e.g. length 175.6 in – 180.3 in).

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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