Model Year | 2007 | 2006 | |
Model | BMW 3-Series | Subaru Outback | |
Engine | turbocharged 3.0L I6 DOHC-4v 300 hp@5800 300 lb-ft@1400 |
turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@6000 250 lb-ft@3600 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 5-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.7 in | 105.1 in | 3.6 in |
Length | 178.2 in | 186.2 in | -8 in |
Width | 71.5 in | 69.7 in | 1.8 in |
Height | 55.9 in | 59.1 in | -3.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3825 lb. | 3595 lb. | 230 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 16.9 gal. | -1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.5 in | 37.6 in | 0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.4 in | 54.4 in | 1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 51.0 in | -51 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.5 in | 44.1 in | -2.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 36.5 in | 1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.1 in | 53.7 in | 1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 52.6 in | -52.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 33.9 in | 0.7 in |
Total Legroom | 76.1 in (over 2 rows) | 78 in (over 2 rows) | -1.9 in |
Cargo Volume | 12.0 ft3 | 11.4 ft3 | 0.6 ft3 |
2007 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Sport seats fit me exceptionally well. Plush enough for the wife to enjoy a long drive. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I found the sport package seats comfortable see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
Power seats are very comfortable, even for long hauls. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
More padding, slightly larger than e46 sport seats, fully adjustable side bolsters and the Dakota leather seems thicker and softer than the e-46 leather. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
back support see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Heated, 8-way, with lumbar control: seems to have comfort covered for most drivers (wheel does not telescope). see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Too small for most adults. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
ride is very jiggly, can feel every imperfection in the road. I think the tires may be very poor for this car. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
It has a back seat, but unless it is a short trip it is very tight for adults. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A bit small for me, both in the seat and in the cabin in general. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Tighter quarters in rear than RX see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
With a young family, not much room in the back seat for children in car seats. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Small, and standard stereo sounds bad back there. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
2 small for adults over 6 ft see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Tight fit for two adults in back for more than occasional rides or trips under 100 miles. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Tight fit for two adults in back for more than occasional rides or trips under 100 miles. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Leg and head room lacking for over 6 footers. see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Seat back a bit low for 6 footers. see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I was amazed at how small the back seat is in this car. Really no bigger than a compact sedan, eg Civic or Corolla. I can't fit my 3 kids (in car seats) back there, and feel bad when co-workers pile in to go to lunch. Surprisingly small for a vehicle this size, and marketed as a "family car." If you plan to put adults or 3 kids back there regularly, look at the '10 or newer (or at something else -- the rear seat in my co-worker's Accord is far bigger and more comfortable). see full Subaru Outback review |
2006 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Too small for kids see full Subaru Outback review |
2006 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Too short! I am 6ft tall and the front passenger seat leaves me feeling very cramped. Drivers position is better. Seats also too narrow. Maybe plenty of room for skinny folks, but not for us folks that are large boned :-) see full Subaru Outback review |
2005 | 4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
The Outback is much smaller (but not cheaper) than the XC70. see full Subaru Outback review |
2005 | 4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
very tight and narrow rear seat room. feels much bumpier in the rear seat than the front seat. see full Subaru Outback review |