Mercedes-Benz GLK (2012) vs. Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI (2009) Specs

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2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK and 2009 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Specifications

Model Year	2012	2009
Model	Mercedes-Benz GLK	Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Wagon
			Difference
Wheelbase	108.5 in	101.5 in	7 in
Length	178.3 in	179.3 in	-1 in
Width	72.4 in	70.1 in	2.3 in
Height	66.9 in	59.2 in	7.7 in
Curb Weight	4034 lb.	3228 lb.	806 lb.
Fuel Capacity	17.4 gal.	14.5 gal.	2.9 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.8 in	38.4 in	1.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.2 in	54.8 in	0.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.2 in	0.0 in	53.2 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.8 in	41.1 in	0.7 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.7 in	38.1 in	1.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	55.4 in	53.1 in	2.3 in
Hip Room, Row 2	52.5 in	0.0 in	52.5 in
Legroom, Row 2	35.1 in	35.5 in	-0.4 in
Total Legroom	76.9 in (over 2 rows)	76.6 in (over 2 rows)	0.3 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	23.3 ft³	32.8 ft³	-9.5 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	54.7 ft³	66.9 ft³	-12.2 ft³

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
2011	Expect the GLK to grow when it is next fully redesigned. A smaller MLK is on the way to battle the upcoming Audi Q3 and just-arrived BMW X1. For 2013, the GLK's body structure remains essentially the same, so rear seat knee room remains just sufficient for a man of average height sitting behind another such man. (Headroom, on the other hand, is abundant.) Among competitors, only the Infiniti EX37 has a tighter rear seat. The Audi, BMW, and Volvo all offer knees another inch or three. Seat comfort is debatable. To my bottom, the GLK's seats feel overly firm. Cargo space is similarly short of the segment average. The GLK's 54.7 cubic feet isn't far behind the Audi's 57.3 but well below the X3's 63.3. That truncated tail has a downside beyond aesthetics. But do these shortcomings really matter? For most people nearly all of the time, there's enough space. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2011	4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD	I have a problem with headroom. So many cars give me less than a half inch from my scalp to the frame on the sunroof. That hurts over bumps, not to mention what my hair looks like when I get out. GLK has over an inch of space for me. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr SUV turbocharged 168hp 2.1L I4 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD	We are a couple with no kids and we rarely have visitors so the cramped rear seating is not a problem. Someone with teenage kids will want to seriously reconsider before getting a GLK. I know my Mom would not appreciate the ingress/egress ease as she has some limited mobility. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review
2011	4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD	If you are 6' plus like me, you will have to adjust the front seat forward if you want passengers to ride with you unless they are quite small. But this is a perfect city hauler for a single or couple. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI

2009 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	A lot of rear leg rrom when compared to the Mazda3 and A3 which I also looked at. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	Good room for a small car. Four adults can ride comfortably. Plenty of cargo room with the rear seats down. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	Surprisingly roomy for this size of car. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	Surprisingly roomy for this size of car. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	They are supportive with good leg support. The seat side bolsters hold driver in place. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2009	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	Front seats are extremely supportive and even heated with the Interlagos cloth option see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2009	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	Quite possibly the most comfortable front seats I have ever sat in. It is as if they were pulled straight from an Audi and placed in the GTI. An added bonus is the heated cloth, which is unusual because usually you need to option cold leather for heat. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2009	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	Plenty of shoulder/elbow/head room. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2009	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	Adequate for 2 adults to sit comfortably. High roof, adequate legroom. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2008	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	Plenty of space, good lumbar support, nice side bolstering. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review

2009 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	It works fine for me, but if you have adults that use the rear seat often they may find it a little uncomfortable for long trips. The legroom is decent, but the seats are a bit hard and not all that ergonomic. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review

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