Volkswagen Beetle vs Honda Civic Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2016 catalog dimensions. Volkswagen Beetle · Honda Civic

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

Side view
  • Length168.4 in
  • Height58.0 in – 58.5 in
  • Wheelbase100.0 in
  • Ground clearance5.6 in – 5.7 in
  • Curb weight2,948 lb – 3,239 lb
Front / width
  • Width71.2 in
  • Honda Civic width70.8 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Volkswagen Beetle is 13.9 in shorter (168.4 in vs 182.3 in)
  • Width: Honda Civic is 0.4 in narrower (71.2 in vs 70.8 in)
  • Height: Volkswagen Beetle is 2.5 in taller (58.3 in vs 55.7 in)
  • Wheelbase: Honda Civic has a 6.3 in longer wheelbase (100.0 in vs 106.3 in)
  • Ground clearance: Volkswagen Beetle has 0.1 in more ground clearance (5.7 in vs 5.5 in)
  • Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 268 lb heavier (3,094 lb vs 2,826 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 268 lb heavier (3,094 lb vs 2,826 lb)
  2. Length: Volkswagen Beetle is 13.9 in shorter (168.4 in vs 182.3 in)
  3. Wheelbase: Honda Civic has a 6.3 in longer wheelbase (100.0 in vs 106.3 in)
  4. Height: Volkswagen Beetle is 2.5 in taller (58.3 in vs 55.7 in)
  5. Ground clearance: Volkswagen Beetle has 0.1 in more ground clearance (5.7 in vs 5.5 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageVolkswagen BeetleVolkswagen Beetle is shorter by 13.9 in Check garage fit for Volkswagen Beetle · garage fit for Honda Civic
  • Narrower for tight parkingHonda CivicHonda Civic is narrower by 0.4 in
  • More ground clearanceVolkswagen BeetleVolkswagen Beetle has 0.1 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintVolkswagen BeetleBased on length × width (Volkswagen Beetle)

Dimension comparison

SpecVolkswagen BeetleHonda CivicDifference
Length168.4 in182.3 in13.9 in
Width71.2 in70.8 in0.4 in
Height58.3 in55.7 in2.5 in
Wheelbase100.0 in106.3 in6.3 in
Ground clearance5.7 in5.5 in0.1 in
Curb weight3,094 lb2,826 lb268 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.