Model Year | 2009 | 2012 | |
Model | BMW 3-Series | Tesla Model S | |
Engine | 4.0L V8 DOHC-4v 414 hp@8300 295 lb-ft@3900 |
Electric 416 hp 443 lb-ft |
|
Transmission | 7-speed automated manual | 1-speed automatic | |
Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | |
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.7 in | 116.5 in | -7.8 in |
Length | 178.2 in | 196.0 in | -17.8 in |
Width | 71.5 in | 77.3 in | -5.8 in |
Height | 55.8 in | 56.5 in | -0.7 in |
Curb Weight | 3815 lb. | 4647 lb. | -832 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 0.0 gal. | 15.9 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.5 in | 38.8 in | -0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.4 in | 57.7 in | -2.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.5 in | 42.7 in | -1.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.0 in | 35.3 in | 2.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.1 in | 55.0 in | 0.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 54.7 in | -54.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 35.4 in | -0.8 in |
Total Legroom | 76.1 in (over 2 rows) | 78.1 in (over 2 rows) | -2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 24.8 ft3 | 31.6 ft3 | -6.8 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 58.0 ft3 | 63.4 ft3 | -5.4 ft3 |
2009 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Relatively small back seat room. 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 |
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 |
2009 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
tight and not too useful a space see full BMW 3-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Rear seat room not as expansive as competitors. Trunk capacity could be better. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Tight for large people. Fine for kids. Smaller than a G37, much smaller than a Maxima. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD |
Wish the rear seats had 1" more legroom. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Limited for adults see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD |
With a 6-foot driver, rear seat room is barely adequate for adults, for short trips. This is typical for this car segment, though. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 0 | Not much room in rear see if driver is 6 feet tall 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 | 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 |
It has a back seat, but unless it is a short trip it is very tight for adults. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2012 Tesla Model S Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The front seats in the Tesla Model S are reasonably comfortable, but don't look or feel especially luxurious and provide little lateral support in turns. At least in the Performance model the side bolsters should be larger and/or adjustable. The seats in the A7 similarly need more aggressive bolsters. The seats in the S7 have them. see full Tesla Model S review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2012 Tesla Model S.