Dodge Challenger (2009) vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2017) Specs

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2009 Dodge Challenger and 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Specifications

Model Year	2009	2017
Model	Dodge Challenger	Volkswagen Golf / GTI
Engine	5.7L V8 OHV-2v 372 hp@5200 401 lb-ft@4400	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 292 hp@5400 280 lb-ft@1800
Transmission	5-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed automated manual
Drivetrain	RWD	AWD
Body	2dr Coupe	2dr Hatch
			Difference
Wheelbase	116.0 in	103.8 in	12.2 in
Length	197.7 in	167.5 in	30.2 in
Width	75.7 in	70.5 in	5.2 in
Height	57.0 in	57.2 in	-0.2 in
Curb Weight	4041 lb.	3278 lb.	763 lb.
Fuel Capacity	19.0 gal.	13.2 gal.	5.8 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.5 in	38.4 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	58.2 in	55.9 in	2.3 in
Hip Room, Row 1	54.7 in	0.0 in	54.7 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.0 in	41.2 in	0.8 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.4 in	38.1 in	-0.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	53.9 in	53.9 in	0 in
Hip Room, Row 2	51.4 in	0.0 in	51.4 in
Legroom, Row 2	32.6 in	35.6 in	-3 in
Total Legroom	74.6 in (over 2 rows)	76.8 in (over 2 rows)	-2.2 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	16.2 ft³	22.8 ft³	-6.6 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	16.2 ft³	52.7 ft³	-36.5 ft³

2009 Dodge Challenger Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	2dr Coupe 376-horsepower 5.7L V8 6-speed manual RWD	Challenger has tilt/telescope steering wheel that can be positioned exactly where you want see full Dodge Challenger review
2010	2dr Coupe 376-horsepower 5.7L V8 6-speed manual RWD	I can set the front seat in a comfortable location for myself and still have room behind me for a rear seat passenger. Seat can be positioned for a more chair-like seating position. see full Dodge Challenger review
2010	2dr Coupe 376-horsepower 5.7L V8 6-speed manual RWD	Larger/wider back seat with capability of handling modern child seats. Adequate space for occasional adult use of back seat. see full Dodge Challenger review
2010	2dr Coupe 376-horsepower 5.7L V8 6-speed manual RWD	With the tilt/telescope steering wheel and the larger interior room vs. its competitors this car is easily adjusted to fit the driver and I get out still feeling good after all-day drives. see full Dodge Challenger review
2009	2dr Coupe 376-horsepower 5.7L V8 6-speed manual RWD	The most comfortable seats I have ever been in can drive all day and back does not hurt. see full Dodge Challenger review

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2016	As I've noted before (when reviewing the e-Golf), the seventh-generation Golf's front seats are shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The CX-5's driver seat also fit me well, but not quite as well as the Volkswagen's. Compared to other compact hatchbacks and its ancestors, the current Golf has a roomy rear seat. I can sit behind my 5-9 self with about five inches of air ahead of my knees. Unless unusually tall people populate both rows, the amount of space should be beyond adequate. Compare the Golf SportWagen's rear seat to that in the CX-5, and a funny thing happens. On paper, the Mazda provides about 3.5 more inches of legroom. When sitting behind myself in both vehicles, though, I had about half as much space ahead of my knees in the CX-5. I've noticed in the past that VW measures rear legroom very conservatively, and apparently they continue to do so. The Golf's interior is roomier than the official specs suggest. Plus its rear seat passengers get air vents. The Mazda's do not. This said, I'm not entirely comfortable in the Golf SportWagen's rear seat. To me it feels overly reclined. In neither the GSW nor the CX-5 is the degree of recline adjustable. It is in some compact crossovers. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review

2017 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

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