Model Year | 2014 | 2016 | |
Model | BMW X1 | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | |
Engine | turbocharged 3.0L I6 DOHC-4v 300 hp@5800 300 lb-ft@1300 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 292 hp@5400 280 lb-ft@1800 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Wagon | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.7 in | 103.5 in | 5.2 in |
Length | 176.5 in | 179.6 in | -3.1 in |
Width | 70.8 in | 70.8 in | 0 in |
Height | 60.8 in | 58.3 in | 2.5 in |
Curb Weight | 3891 lb. | 3440 lb. | 451 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 3.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 41.3 in | 38.6 in | 2.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 55.9 in | -0.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.4 in | 41.2 in | 0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.7 in | 38.6 in | 1.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.6 in | 53.9 in | 0.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.9 in | 35.6 in | -0.7 in |
Total Legroom | 76.3 in (over 2 rows) | 76.8 in (over 2 rows) | -0.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 14.8 ft3 | 30.4 ft3 | -15.6 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 47.7 ft3 | 66.5 ft3 | -18.8 ft3 |
2014 BMW X1 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | BMW makes great sport seats, with support in the right places and power-adjustable side bolsters. This said, those in the X1 Sport Line feel less cushy, and so less overtly comfortable, than I recall from other BMWs. The Evoque's front buckets lack adjustable side bolsters, but feel more luxurious. While the BMW wins on support, the Land Rover wins on comfort. Another tie. Update: when I later had an Evoque for a week its seats felt less comfortable than they had during the dealer test drive. So I'm revising this rating in favor of the BMW. see full BMW X1 review |
2014 BMW X1 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The BMW X1's interior dimensions also closely resemble those of the previous-generation 3-Series. Up front, there's a little less space to stretch out than in the X3. But abundant headroom. About half of the X1's additional height is over one's head--you sit only a couple inches higher than in the 3-Series. This additional airspace also distinguishes the X1 from the allroad. Rear seat room could be more of an issue. As in the old 3 and the new allroad, a couple of average-sized adults will fit behind a couple more with perhaps an inch or two of clearance for their knees, while a third would be a squeeze. The seat back reclines, but the seat cushion is too low to provide good thigh support. The Evoque is similarly a less-than-ideal choice for four-plus adults taking a long trip. see full BMW X1 review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 BMW X1.
2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2015 | The original Golf revolutionized the automotive world by demonstrating how practical a small car could be. Though the latest, seventh-generation Golf is much larger than the original, and every major auto maker now offers a Golf-like compact, the Volkswagen continues to impress with its practicality. Let's start with the front seat. The seat itself is shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The performance buckets in the GTI and R have firmer bolsters that provide more lateral support, but the regular Golf's buckets are cushier and more comfortably contoured. The e-Golf uses the same exemplary seats. In comparison, the seats in the Soul EV are merely okay. The view forward from the e-Golf's driver seat is also about as good as it gets in a current compact, with a reasonably-sized instrument panel and an expansive, comfortably raked windshield flanked by relatively thin pillars. This said, some people might prefer the higher driving position in the quasi-crossover Soul EV. For me, a conventional car's lower position continues to feel more natural, especially in turns. Battery packs take up space. Even with the (roughly) 1.5-kWh battery packs used by hybrids cargo capacity usually takes a hit. In the Soul EV, rear seat legroom suffers a three-inch reduction due to the underfloor location of the car's 27-kWh battery pack. But VW engineers managed to design and package a 24-kWh battery pack so cleverly that the e-Golf's passenger and cargo room are identical to those of a regular Golf. Adults will comfortably fit in the car's back seat. The same can't be said about most other EVs--the Soul being a second exception. Even with the three-inch cut, the Kia's back seat is about as roomy as the Golf's. The i3's back seat is far tighter. Which EV treats its passengers best depends on the season. The e-Golf includes rear air vents, while the Soul EV+ includes rear seat bun warmers. Moving to the cargo area, the Soul EV's battery pack eats up a dozen cubic feet, leaving just under 50. The uncompromised e-Golf can contain a couple more. But these figures don't convey the differing proportions of the cars' cargo holds. The e-Golf's is a few inches longer, while the Soul EV's is a few inches taller. Which is the better cargo hauler depends on the shape of your cargo. The much larger Tesla Model S can hold a few more cubic feet, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class about the same as the e-Golf. No other EV comes close, especially not the 12-cube BMW i3. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2016 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Difficult ingress and egress see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |