Model Year | 2013 | 2008 | |
Model | BMW X3 | Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI | |
Engine | turbocharged 3.0L I6 DOHC-4v 300 hp@5800 300 lb-ft@1300 |
3.2L V6 DOHC-4v 250 hp@6300 236 lb-ft@2500 |
|
Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 110.6 in | 101.5 in | 9.1 in |
Length | 183.0 in | 165.8 in | 17.2 in |
Width | 74.1 in | 68.3 in | 5.8 in |
Height | 65.4 in | 58.4 in | 7 in |
Curb Weight | 4222 lb. | 3643 lb. | 579 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 3.2 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.7 in | 39.3 in | 1.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.3 in | 54.7 in | 2.6 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 39.9 in | 41.2 in | -1.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.1 in | 38.5 in | 0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.0 in | 54.6 in | 1.4 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 35.3 in | 1.5 in |
Total Legroom | 76.7 in (over 2 rows) | 76.5 in (over 2 rows) | 0.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 27.6 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | 12.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 63.3 ft3 | 41.8 ft3 | 21.5 ft3 |
2013 BMW X3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | Thanks partly to power-adjustable side bolsters, the X3's optional sport seats are both supportive and comfortable. They're firm where you want them to be firm, yet (unlike those in the Audi and Mercedes-Benz) cushy where you want them to be cushy. The Volvo XC60's seats are also very comfortable, but can't quite match the BMW's lateral support. You sit substantially higher than in a BMW sedan, both relative to the ground and to the instrument panel. The windshield is more distant than in the original X3, making the current one seem considerably larger, but it remains more upright than in most recently designed crossovers. The forward visibility many people buy a crossover to get can be gotten here. Rear seat legroom increased by an inch with the 2011 redesign, and is now competitive. A couple of adults will fit, so there's no compelling functional reason to step up to the X5 unless you require tall people to be comfortable back there. see full BMW X3 review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2013 BMW X3.
2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD |
Plenty of shoulder/elbow/head room. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2009 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD |
Adequate for 2 adults to sit comfortably. High roof, adequate legroom. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2009 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Quite possibly the most comfortable front seats I have ever sat in. It is as if they were pulled straight from an Audi and placed in the GTI. An added bonus is the heated cloth, which is unusual because usually you need to option cold leather for heat. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Front seats are extremely supportive and even heated with the Interlagos cloth option see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Plenty of space, good lumbar support, nice side bolstering. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
well bolstered, firm, both driver and passenger seats have height and lumbar adjust see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
Fits me perfectly, all controls ideal for me. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
With the 4 door GTI I can drive 4 full size adults around in comfort. Easy ingress-egress. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
With only one car, I needed a sporty car with legitimate rear seat room and an automatic for the other users. I have had 2 6ft passengers in the back seat without complaint. The cushion could use a little more height/angle to aid in leg support. Nitpickin see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The front seats offer great lateral support. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
It works fine for me, but if you have adults that use the rear seat often they may find it a little uncomfortable for long trips. The legroom is decent, but the seats are a bit hard and not all that ergonomic. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Great for my kids (4 and 7) but small for adults. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |