The current Volkswagen Beetle is 168.5″ long, 71.3″ wide, on a 100″ wheelbase, weighing 2,992 lb. Since 1971 it has grown 6% in length and gained 62% in weight. At 14 feet it fits a standard garage and fits a street parking space.
Every Volkswagen Beetle generation, measured
One row per generation. Watch the weight column — that is where most of the change happens for the Volkswagen Beetle, 1,142 lb of it since 1971, and it is the number that decides fuel use, tyre wear and how far the car takes to stop.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–1973 | 159.1″ | 61″ | 59.1″ | 94.5″ | 1,850 lb |
| 1974–1978 | 163″ | 61″ | 59.1″ | 94.5″ | 1,896 lb |
| 1998–2002 | 161″ | 67.7″ | 59.4″ | 98.8″ | 2,712 lb |
| 2012–2020 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 58.7″ | 100″ | 2,992 lb |
From 1971 to today the Beetle gained 9.4″ of length (6%) and 1,142 lb of weight (62%). A modern compact often outweighs the mid-size car of a generation before.
Beetle year by year
Measured every model year, not just at generation changes — 22 years on record for the Volkswagen Beetle. Small moves inside a generation are facelifts; the jumps are the 4 new platforms below.
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 100″ | 2 | |
| 2019 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 100″ | 2 | |
| 2018 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 100″ | 2 | |
| 2017 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 100″ | 2 | |
| 2016 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 100″ | 3 | |
| 2015 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 100″ | 4 | |
| 2014 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 100″ | 3 | |
| 2013 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 100″ | 2 | |
| 2012 | 168.5″ | 71.3″ | 100″ | 2 | |
| 2002 | 161″ | 68.1″ | 98.8″ | 3 | |
| 2001 | 161″ | 68.1″ | 98.8″ | 3 | |
| 2000 | 161″ | 68.1″ | 98.8″ | 3 | |
| 1999 | 161″ | 68.1″ | 98.8″ | 3 | |
| 1998 | 161″ | 67.7″ | 98.8″ | 1 | |
| 1978 | 165″ | 61.8″ | 95.3″ | 1 | |
| 1977 | 164.2″ | 61.4″ | 94.9″ | 2 | |
| 1976 | 164.2″ | 61.4″ | 94.9″ | 2 | |
| 1975 | 163″ | 61″ | 94.5″ | 1 | |
| 1974 | 163″ | 61″ | 94.5″ | 1 | |
| 1973 | 159.8″ | 61″ | 94.5″ | 1 | |
| 1972 | 159.1″ | 61″ | 94.5″ | 1 | |
| 1971 | 159.1″ | 61″ | 94.5″ | 1 |
Will a Beetle fit
The practical question behind every dimensions search, and for a 14-foot Volkswagen Beetle it has a straight answer. A single-car garage in the US is typically 20 feet deep and a street parking space about 18, so the Beetle clears the garage by 5 ft. We allow a foot of clearance in both — nobody parks to the millimetre.
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 14 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 14 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 5.9 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Compared with 584 vehicles within ten inches of the same length — a fair proxy for «cars of this size», regardless of what the marketing calls them.
| Measure | This car | Typical car of this length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 71.3″ | 68.9″ | +2.4″ |
| Wheelbase | 100″ | 100.4″ | -0.4″ |
| Curb weight | 2,992 lb | 2,950 lb | 42 lb |
A longer wheelbase for the same overall length means shorter overhangs — usually more cabin space and a steadier ride. At 2,992 lb the Volkswagen Beetle is right on the class average, which generally shows up as fuel economy and stopping distance.
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How we measure
Dimensions come from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records — manufacturer-declared figures, held in metric and converted to inches and pounds for display, 22 measured model years for the Volkswagen Beetle between 1971 and 2020.
One row per generation, not per model year: manufacturers rarely change the body between facelifts, and the Volkswagen Beetle fits into 4 rows instead of 22. Where a generation offered several body styles, the figures are the base measurements for that generation of the Volkswagen Beetle.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Volkswagen Beetle?
168.5″ (14′ 1″) in its current generation, 71.3″ wide and 58.7″ tall.
How much does a Volkswagen Beetle weigh?
2,992 lb at the kerb, which is 62% more than the first generation we hold from 1971.
Will a Beetle fit in a garage?
At 14 feet it fits a standard 20-foot single garage with room to spare. A street parking space of 18 feet is comfortable.
Has the Beetle got bigger over the years?
Yes — 9.4″ longer and 1,142 lb heavier since 1971, across 4 generations. Weight grew 62%, far faster than length.
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