Model Year | 2006 | 2007 | |
Model | BMW 3-Series | Volkswagen Passat | |
Engine | 3.2L I6 DOHC-4v 333 hp@7900 262 lb-ft@4900 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 280 hp@6200 265 lb-ft@2750 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | RWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,761 mm | 2,710 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,526 mm | 4,780 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,816 mm | 1,821 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,420 mm | 1,473 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,589 kg | 1,737 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 60 L | 70 L | -10 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 978 mm | 975 mm | 3 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,407 mm | 1,415 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,054 mm | 1,052 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 953 mm | 960 mm | -7 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,400 mm | 1,387 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 879 mm | 958 mm | -79 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,933 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,009 mm (over 2 rows) | -1 mm |
Cargo Volume | 340 L | 402 L | -62 L |
2006 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
2005 | 2dr Coupe 333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
My M3 is the only sports car I found that will comfortably fit a baby seat in the rear. :) see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
very little leg room. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
I have the coupe, the back seats are just an afterthought. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Too small & cramped. Fit and finish was much less desirable than my past 1998 5 series BMW. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Small. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Entering and exiting and overall seat comfort are not designed for taller or larger drivers see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A little tight for taller adults. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The rear seats are comfortable, but due to the size of/shortness of the car there is not much legroom, a full size adult will have trouble getting their feet into the footwells. Mind you, the trunk space is immense for such a small car. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
There is little foot room and the ride is rough. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
cramped see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
what room see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Lots of rear legroom and space for car seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Passat provided more interior space especially in the rear than the Audi A4 see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Compared to other sporty wagons (BMW, Subaru) the Passat has about 3" more rear leg room - enough to put my full-size parents and/or friends in the back seat without making them do contortions. Easier to get a child in and out of a rear safety seat, too. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Extremely comfortable front drivers seat w/ 12 way electronic adjustment. Able to find perfect driving position. Very little fatigue even after 12 - 14 hours of driving (taking breaks for food / gas of course). Lumbar adjusts both up/down and in/out. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
This version of the Passat can easily fit 3 across seating in the rear see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
More than large enough for American size bodies! see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 280-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
larger than chief competitors (BMW 3 series, Audi A4) see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Well bolstered seat, best seat heaters I ever had (have had Land Rovers and own a SAAB). see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Plenty of room in the front seat without squeezing the backseat. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Plenty of room in the back seats. Room for three comfortably. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
No thigh support, not as comfortable as my 2000 Passat see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
My two teenagers complain that the rear seat cushion is low and not very comfortable to sit on for long distances. the leg room is great. see full Volkswagen Passat review |