Model Year | 2011 | 2013 | |
Model | BMW 5-Series | Mercedes-Benz GL | |
Engine | turbocharged 4.4L V8 DOHC-4v 400 hp@5500 450 lb-ft@1750 |
turbocharged 5.5L V8 DOHC-4v 550 hp@5750 560 lb-ft@2000 |
|
Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 7-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,969 mm | 3,073 mm | -1 mm |
Length | 4,905 mm | 5,121 mm | -1 mm |
Width | 1,859 mm | 1,941 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,463 mm | 1,849 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 2,050 kg | 2,580 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 70 L | 100 L | -30 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 1,029 mm | 1,046 mm | 0 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,481 mm | 1,486 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,052 mm | 1,024 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 973 mm | 1,016 mm | 972 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,427 mm | 1,481 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 917 mm | 978 mm | -61 mm |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0 mm | 988 mm | -988 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0 mm | 1,283 mm | -1 mm |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0 mm | 889 mm | -889 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,969 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,891 mm (over 3 rows) | -1 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 521 L | 453 L | 68 L |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 18.4 | 1,399 L | 17.4 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 18.4 | 2,656 L | 16.4 |
2011 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
All I need. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2011 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
People 5 foot 3 and above cannot sit comfortably in the back seat on long trips. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Almost limo sized with very comfortable shaping. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2013 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 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL.