Spec Sizes

Volkswagen Beetle vs Mazda Mazda3 Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2016 catalog dimensions. Volkswagen Beetle · Mazda Mazda3

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
  • Mazda Mazda3 width70.7 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Volkswagen Beetle is 9.5 in shorter (168.4 in vs 177.9 in)
  • Width: Mazda Mazda3 is 0.5 in narrower (71.2 in vs 70.7 in)
  • Height: Volkswagen Beetle is 1.0 in taller (58.3 in vs 57.3 in)
  • Wheelbase: Mazda Mazda3 has a 6.3 in longer wheelbase (100.0 in vs 106.3 in)
  • Ground clearance: Mazda Mazda3 has 0.4 in more ground clearance (5.7 in vs 6.1 in)
  • Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 147 lb heavier (3,094 lb vs 2,947 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Ground clearance: Mazda Mazda3 has 0.4 in more ground clearance (5.7 in vs 6.1 in)
  2. Wheelbase: Mazda Mazda3 has a 6.3 in longer wheelbase (100.0 in vs 106.3 in)
  3. Length: Volkswagen Beetle is 9.5 in shorter (168.4 in vs 177.9 in)
  4. Curb weight: Volkswagen Beetle is 147 lb heavier (3,094 lb vs 2,947 lb)
  5. Height: Volkswagen Beetle is 1.0 in taller (58.3 in vs 57.3 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageVolkswagen Beetle — Volkswagen Beetle is shorter by 9.5 in Check garage fit for Volkswagen Beetle · garage fit for Mazda Mazda3
  • Narrower for tight parkingMazda Mazda3 — Mazda Mazda3 is narrower by 0.5 in
  • More ground clearanceMazda Mazda3 — Mazda Mazda3 has 0.4 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintVolkswagen Beetle — Based on length × width (Volkswagen Beetle)

Dimension comparison

SpecVolkswagen BeetleMazda Mazda3Difference
Length168.4 in177.9 in9.5 in
Width71.2 in70.7 in0.5 in
Height58.3 in57.3 in1.0 in
Wheelbase100.0 in106.3 in6.3 in
Ground clearance5.7 in6.1 in0.4 in
Curb weight3,094 lb2,947 lb147 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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