Model Year | 2011 | 2008 | |
Model | Ford Taurus | Volkswagen Passat | |
Engine | turbocharged 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 365 hp@5500 350 lb-ft@3500 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 280 hp@6200 265 lb-ft@2750 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 112.9 in | 106.7 in | 6.2 in |
Length | 202.9 in | 188.2 in | 14.7 in |
Width | 76.2 in | 71.7 in | 4.5 in |
Height | 60.7 in | 58.0 in | 2.7 in |
Curb Weight | 4415 lb. | 3829 lb. | 586 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 20.0 gal. | 18.5 gal. | 1.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 38.4 in | 0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.9 in | 55.7 in | 2.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 56.3 in | 0.0 in | 56.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.9 in | 41.4 in | 0.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 37.8 in | 0 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.9 in | 54.6 in | 2.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 55.8 in | 0.0 in | 55.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.1 in | 37.7 in | 0.4 in |
Total Legroom | 80 in (over 2 rows) | 79.1 in (over 2 rows) | 0.9 in |
Cargo Volume | 20.1 ft3 | 14.2 ft3 | 5.9 ft3 |
2011 Ford Taurus Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Three adult room in the back seat - comfortably! see full Ford Taurus review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 365hp 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The front and rear seats are very comfortable. The back can be cramped with three passengers. The SL has heated front and rear seats which works great and are needed as the car heater is very slow to initially get warm. The heated steering wheel is also a nice touch. The seat fabric is soft but the light color might not wear well. see full Ford Taurus review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Leather appointed seats are like sitting in an easy chair. see full Ford Taurus review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 365hp 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Independently adjustable lumbar and cushion supports, individual front seat heaters, coolers and massagers for both the seat cushion and the back. Need I say more? see full Ford Taurus review |
2011 Ford Taurus Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 0 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The front seats are horrible- similar to airline seats, and no amount of adjusting or adding cushions helped. I'm 6'2 and my wife is 5'3.and neither of us could get comfortable. After 2 weeks, it was actually painful to drive this car. see full Ford Taurus review |
2012 | 0 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Not enough headroom for adults in the rear seat. Seat comfort is as poor as the front seats. see full Ford Taurus 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 |