Volkswagen Beetle Specs — Dimensions & Weight by Generation

Quick answer

The 2020 Volkswagen Beetle, the latest model year on record, is 168.5″ long, 71.3″ wide and 58.3″ tall on a 100″ wheelbase, and weighs 3,086 lb. At 14 ft it fits a standard garage and leaves 4 ft spare in an 18-foot street space.

Every Volkswagen Beetle generation, measured

The biggest change came in 1976: the new car was 5.1″ longer and 161 lb heavier than the 1971–1975 one.

FIG.01·Volkswagen Beetle dimensions by generation
Generation	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
1971–1975	159.1″	61″	59.1″	94.5″	1,850 lb
1976–1978	164.2″	61.4″	59.1″	94.9″	2,011 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

ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada

Beetle year by year

FIG.02·Volkswagen Beetle dimensions by model year
Model year	Length	Width	Wheelbase	Curb weight	Body styles
2020	168.5″	71.3″	100″	3,086 lb	2
2019	168.5″	71.3″	100″	3,086 lb	2
2018	168.5″	71.3″	100″	3,086 lb	2
2017	168.5″	71.3″	100″	3,086 lb	2
2016	168.5″	71.3″	100″	3,082 lb	3
2015	168.5″	71.3″	100″	3,095 lb	4
2014	168.5″	71.3″	100″	3,117 lb	3
2013	168.5″	71.3″	100″	2,983 lb	2
2012	168.5″	71.3″	100″	2,992 lb	2
2002	161″	68.1″	98.8″	2,851 lb	3
2001	161″	68.1″	98.8″	2,851 lb	3
2000	161″	68.1″	98.8″	2,851 lb	3
1999	161″	68.1″	98.8″	2,818 lb	3
1998	161″	67.7″	98.8″	2,712 lb	1
1978	165″	61.8″	95.3″	2,110 lb	1
1977	164.2″	61.4″	94.9″	2,041 lb	2
1976	164.2″	61.4″	94.9″	2,011 lb	2
1975	163″	61″	94.5″	1,896 lb	1
1974	163″	61″	94.5″	1,896 lb	1
1973	159.8″	61″	94.5″	1,850 lb	1
1972	159.1″	61″	94.5″	1,850 lb	1
1971	159.1″	61″	94.5″	1,850 lb	1

ROWS 22·SOURCE Transport Canada vehicle specifications

Beetle on the used market

In 658 Beetle listings we have collected since June 2026, the 2012–2020 car is the most common: 316 of them (48%), at an average asking price of $11,631. ForCar visitors have decoded 103 Beetle VINs; the most checked model years are 2019, 2014 and 2012.

FIG.05·Volkswagen Beetle generations on the used market
Generation	Listings	Share	Average asking price	Average mileage
2012–2020	316	48%	$11,631	91,369 mi
1998–2002	80	12%	$3,610	138,561 mi
Other years	262	40%	$5,116	122,556 mi

ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar, US used-car listings collected since June 2026

Will a Beetle fit

FIG.02·Volkswagen Beetle — will it fit
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

ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar, computed from vehicle dimensions

Against cars of the same length

FIG.03·Volkswagen Beetle against similar-sized cars
Measure	This car	Typical of 617 cars within 10″ of its length	Difference
Width	71.3″	69.3″	+2.0″
Wheelbase	100″	100.8″	−0.8″
Curb weight	3,086 lb	2,996 lb	+90 lb

ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar, computed across vehicles of similar length

Beetle against its rivals

Next to the Ford Fiesta, the Beetle is the longest and the heaviest of the two.

FIG.04·Volkswagen Beetle against its rivals
Model	Model year	Length	Width	Curb weight
Volkswagen Beetle (this car)	2020	168.5″	71.3″	3,086 lb
Ford Fiesta	2019	164.6″	67.7″	2,619 lb

ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada; rivals: same EPA class and body, most searched

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Everything on the Volkswagen Beetle

Recalls111 campaigns Fuel economy38 mpg best Reliability4.5/5 Common problems682 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build Cargo space15 cu ft Used prices1,180 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car1998–2019

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Beetle bigger than the 2019?

No. The 2020 and 2019 Beetle are the same size and weight.

Which is bigger, the Beetle or the Ford Fiesta?

The 2019 Ford Fiesta is 3.9″ shorter and 467 lb lighter than the 2020 Beetle.

How much does a used Beetle cost?

In our listings collected since June 2026, the average asking price runs from $3,610 for the 1998–2002 car to $11,631 for the 2012–2020 one, across 658 listings.

Dimensions from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records, manufacturer-declared for 22 Beetle model years, 1971 to 2020. Metric values converted to inches and pounds; generation boundaries are estimated from changes in size (how we measure). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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