Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen Beetle Dimensions & Size Comparison
Comparing 2012 catalog dimensions. Volkswagen Golf · Volkswagen Beetle
- Length165.4 in – 165.8 in
- Height57.8 in – 58.3 in
- Wheelbase101.5 in
- Curb weight2,968 lb – 3,325 lb
- Width70.0 in – 70.3 in
- Volkswagen Beetle width71.2 in
Which is bigger?
- Length: Volkswagen Golf is 2.8 in shorter (165.6 in vs 168.4 in)
- Width: Volkswagen Golf is 1.0 in narrower (70.2 in vs 71.2 in)
- Height: Volkswagen Beetle is 0.5 in taller (58.0 in vs 58.5 in)
- Wheelbase: Volkswagen Golf has a 1.6 in longer wheelbase (101.5 in vs 99.9 in)
- Curb weight: Volkswagen Golf is 133 lb heavier (3,147 lb vs 3,014 lb)
Biggest size differences
- Curb weight: Volkswagen Golf is 133 lb heavier (3,147 lb vs 3,014 lb)
- Length: Volkswagen Golf is 2.8 in shorter (165.6 in vs 168.4 in)
- Wheelbase: Volkswagen Golf has a 1.6 in longer wheelbase (101.5 in vs 99.9 in)
- Width: Volkswagen Golf is 1.0 in narrower (70.2 in vs 71.2 in)
- Height: Volkswagen Beetle is 0.5 in taller (58.0 in vs 58.5 in)
Practical verdicts
- Easier to fit in a short garageVolkswagen Golf — Volkswagen Golf is shorter by 2.8 in Check garage fit for Volkswagen Golf · garage fit for Volkswagen Beetle
- Narrower for tight parkingVolkswagen Golf — Volkswagen Golf is narrower by 1.0 in
- Smaller exterior footprintVolkswagen Golf — Based on length × width (Volkswagen Golf)
Dimension comparison
| Spec | Volkswagen Golf | Volkswagen Beetle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 165.6 in | 168.4 in | 2.8 in |
| Width | 70.2 in | 71.2 in | 1.0 in |
| Height | 58.0 in | 58.5 in | 0.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.5 in | 99.9 in | 1.6 in |
| Curb weight | 3,147 lb | 3,014 lb | 133 lb |
Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range (e.g. length 165.4 in – 165.8 in).
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.