Model Year | 2013 | 2013 | |
Model | Audi A7 / S7 | Mercedes-Benz GL | |
Engine | turbocharged 4.0L V8 DOHC-4v 420 hp@5500 406 lb-ft@1400 |
turbocharged 5.5L V8 DOHC-4v 550 hp@5750 560 lb-ft@2000 |
|
Transmission | 7-speed automated manual | 7-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 114.7 in | 121.0 in | -6.3 in |
Length | 195.6 in | 201.6 in | -6 in |
Width | 75.2 in | 76.4 in | -1.2 in |
Height | 55.9 in | 72.8 in | -16.9 in |
Curb Weight | 4508 lb. | 5687 lb. | -1179 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 19.8 gal. | 26.4 gal. | -6.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 36.9 in | 41.2 in | -4.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.2 in | 58.5 in | -1.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 40.3 in | 1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 36.6 in | 40.0 in | -3.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.9 in | 58.3 in | -2.4 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.0 in | 38.5 in | -1.5 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 38.9 in | -38.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 50.5 in | -50.5 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 35.0 in | -35 in |
Total Legroom | 78.3 in (over 2 rows) | 113.8 in (over 3 rows) | -35.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 24.5 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | 8.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 24.5 | 49.4 ft3 | -24.9 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 56.0 ft3 | 93.8 ft3 | -37.8 ft3 |
2013 Audi A7 / S7 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Among luxury cars, Audis have my least favorite seats. They're less cushy and less coddling than the others. They're firm, and seem to want your body to adapt to them rather than the other way around. In the A7, seat adjustments are limited to the usual plus four-way lumbar. The seat's smallish bolsters are spaced fairly widely, and only frequenting all-you-can-eat buffets can bring them closer. This said, one day I drove the A7 for 600 miles and emerged without a hint of back soreness. So maybe the seats do know what's best for me. Perhaps they could teach a thing or two to the door-mounted arm rest. It's overly firm, and my left elbow did get sore. see full Audi A7 / S7 review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2013 Audi A7 / S7.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GL Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is just a little longer than the Audi Q7 (201.6 vs. 200.3 inches), and isn't as wide (76.4 vs. 78.1 inches). But the Mercedes is considerably taller (72.8 vs. 68.4 inches) and not nearly as curvy. Which might explain how it is far roomier than the much sleeker Audi. Combined legroom for all three rows is 107.6 inches in the Q7 vs. 113.8 inches in the GL-Class, a large difference. The Q7's space deficit grows the farther back you sit. For adults to even fit in the Audi's third row without extreme discomfort, those in the second row must slide their seats forward to the point that they are themselves short on knee room. While the new GL350's third row sits too low to provide thigh support, it's not nearly as cramped. Further evidence that Audi didn't intend the Q7's third row for frequent use: the second-row seat doesn't do a good job of getting out of the way, making the path in and out of the way-back perhaps the tightest I've experienced. The second-row seat in the GL-Class tips forward to open up a much wider path. If manually tipping the seat is too much of a chore (perhaps because you'e a five-year-old and haven't yet learned to read this), $400 buys a power assist. But even with this option the seat must be manually returned to its upright position, so the point eludes me. see full Mercedes-Benz GL review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL.