Model Year | 2006 | 2014 | |
Model | Audi A3 | Mercedes-Benz GL | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 101.5 in | 121.0 in | -19.5 in |
Length | 168.7 in | 201.6 in | -32.9 in |
Width | 69.5 in | 76.4 in | -6.9 in |
Height | 56.0 in | 72.8 in | -16.8 in |
Curb Weight | 3263 lb. | 5401 lb. | -2138 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.0 gal. | 26.4 gal. | -11.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 41.2 in | -3.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.3 in | 58.5 in | -4.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 40.3 in | 0.9 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 36.9 in | 40.0 in | -3.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 52.8 in | 58.3 in | -5.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.8 in | 38.5 in | -3.7 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 | 76 in (over 2 rows) | 113.8 in (over 3 rows) | -37.8 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 13.1 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | -2.9 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 13.1 | 49.4 ft3 | -36.3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 54.6 ft3 | 93.8 ft3 | -39.2 ft3 |
2006 Audi A3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The back seat is too small for most adults. I hadn't thought about it much when I bought the car, but it became apparent. I'd take friends to lunch and they are uncomfortable.Even ifa personplans on sitting small children in the back, they grow and the useful life of the car is affected. I wish the Europeans would figure that out. see full Audi A3 review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Due to the position of the doors it is hard to get in and out of the car. see full Audi A3 review |
2006 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The Subaru has a more comfortable and roomy back seat, with easier ingress/egress. see full Audi A3 review |
2014 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 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL.