Model Year | 2009 | 2008 | |
Model | BMW 5-Series | Volkswagen Passat | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,888 mm | 2,710 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,854 mm | 4,780 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,847 mm | 1,821 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,468 mm | 1,473 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,499 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 70 L | 70 L | 0 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 958 mm | 975 mm | -17 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,455 mm | 1,415 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,054 mm | 1,052 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 963 mm | 960 mm | 3 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,453 mm | 1,387 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 914 mm | 958 mm | -44 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,969 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,009 mm (over 2 rows) | -1 mm |
Cargo Volume | 396 L | 402 L | -6 L |
2009 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 |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The sport seats offer exceptional levels of adjustment. I especially like the extendable leg support and the tilt of the upper back. The lumbar in the sport seats adjusts in up and down as well. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The comfort seat option is to die for. There is NO production automobile mfg that produces a seat that comfortable. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
At 6-foot-6, I have enough legroom. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Twenty-way adjustable seat. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2009 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 |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 360-horsepower 4.8L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A little tight in the rear, but it is a mid-size sedan. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 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 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 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 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 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 |
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 |
2008 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
very restrictive space see full Volkswagen Passat review |
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 |