Model Year | 2008 | 2014 | |
Model | BMW 3-Series | Toyota RAV4 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.7 in | 104.7 in | 4 in |
Length | 178.2 in | 179.9 in | -1.7 in |
Width | 71.5 in | 72.6 in | -1.1 in |
Height | 55.8 in | 65.4 in | -9.6 in |
Curb Weight | 3462 lb. | 3435 lb. | 27 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 15.9 gal. | 0 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.5 in | 39.8 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.4 in | 57.3 in | -1.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 54.2 in | -54.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.5 in | 42.6 in | -1.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.0 in | 38.9 in | -0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.1 in | 55.4 in | -0.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 48.8 in | -48.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 37.2 in | -2.6 in |
Total Legroom | 76.1 in (over 2 rows) | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | -3.7 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 24.8 ft3 | 38.4 ft3 | -13.6 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 58.0 ft3 | 73.4 ft3 | -15.4 ft3 |
2008 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 |
2008 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 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 | 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 | 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 |
2014 Toyota RAV4 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The first two generations of the Toyota RAVs were much smaller than contemporaneous Honda CR-Vs. More than perhaps any other difference this one probably explains Toyota's lack of segment leadership. The third-generation RAV4, introduced for the 2006 model year, was much larger, and finally about the same size as the Honda. The new RAV4's body is an inch lower, but also a few inches longer. Compared to the CR-V, it's 1.6 inches longer, an inch wider, and 0.7 inches taller. This translates to a slightly roomier interior, and probably the roomiest in the segment unless one includes the boundary-defying Santa Fe Sport, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I have nearly five inches of knee room in the Honda. Quite good, but I have seven inches in the new RAV4. Beyond sheer space, the RAV4's rear seat cushion is a comfortable height off the floor, and its rear seat back reclines over a relatively wide range. The Honda's rear seat back can be set in only two different positions that aren't far apart. Add a third passenger, though, and the rear seat no longer seems so roomy. My three kids aren't large, but they complained about the amount of room. The reason isn't hard to find: for some reason the new RAV4 only offers 48.8 inches of rear hip room. This is much better than the 43.3 inches in the 2012, but still well short of the 53.3 inches in the CR-V. So, while the RAV4 has the edge in knee room, the Honda easily wins a hip room comparison. see full Toyota RAV4 review |
2014 Toyota RAV4 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr SUV 176-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The drivers seat has a really long travel - I normally have the seat far back (5'11" with long legs) but I probably had 6 inches of travel further back I could have gone. The seat isn't overadjustable and not too hard to get into a comfortable position. The fake leather is a reasonable facsimile and has heated seats - would have to see how it does in the direct sun. see full Toyota RAV4 review |
2013 | 4dr SUV 176-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Rear seat room is pretty impressive and seating position is nice. Adjustable rake of the rear seat is a nice touch. Appears to have 3 car seat anchors. The rear seat appears to be the same size as, or maybe even larger than the original Highlander / RX300. see full Toyota RAV4 review |