Model Year | 2014 | 2018 | |
Model | Mercedes-Benz GL | Kia Cadenza | |
Engine | turbocharged 5.5L V8 DOHC-4v 550 hp@5750 560 lb-ft@2000 |
3.3L V6 DOHC-4v 290 hp@6400 253 lb-ft@5200 |
|
Transmission | 7-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 121.0 in | 112.4 in | 8.6 in |
Length | 201.6 in | 195.7 in | 5.9 in |
Width | 76.4 in | 73.6 in | 2.8 in |
Height | 72.8 in | 57.9 in | 14.9 in |
Curb Weight | 5687 lb. | 3633 lb. | 2054 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 26.4 gal. | 18.5 gal. | 7.9 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 40.2 in | 1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 58.5 in | 58.3 in | 0.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 56.5 in | -56.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 40.3 in | 45.5 in | -5.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 40.0 in | 37.9 in | 2.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 58.3 in | 56.5 in | 1.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 56.3 in | -56.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.5 in | 37.2 in | 1.3 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 38.9 in | 0.0 in | 38.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 50.5 in | 0.0 in | 50.5 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 35.0 in | 0.0 in | 35 in |
Total Legroom | 113.8 in (over 3 rows) | 82.7 in (over 2 rows) | 31.1 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.0 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | 0 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 49.4 ft3 | 16.0 | 33.4 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 93.8 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | 77.8 ft3 |
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is just a little longer than the Audi Q7 (201.6 vs. 200.3 inches), and isn't as wide (76.4 vs. 78.1 inches). But the Mercedes is considerably taller (72.8 vs. 68.4 inches) and not nearly as curvy. Which might explain how it is far roomier than the much sleeker Audi. Combined legroom for all three rows is 107.6 inches in the Q7 vs. 113.8 inches in the GL-Class, a large difference. The Q7's space deficit grows the farther back you sit. For adults to even fit in the Audi's third row without extreme discomfort, those in the second row must slide their seats forward to the point that they are themselves short on knee room. While the new GL350's third row sits too low to provide thigh support, it's not nearly as cramped. Further evidence that Audi didn't intend the Q7's third row for frequent use: the second-row seat doesn't do a good job of getting out of the way, making the path in and out of the way-back perhaps the tightest I've experienced. The second-row seat in the GL-Class tips forward to open up a much wider path. If manually tipping the seat is too much of a chore (perhaps because you'e a five-year-old and haven't yet learned to read this), $400 buys a power assist. But even with this option the seat must be manually returned to its upright position, so the point eludes me. see full Mercedes-Benz GL review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL.
2018 Kia Cadenza Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2017 | Due to its shorter greenhouse and taller, more intrusive center console, the Buick's front row doesn't feel nearly as roomy as the Kia's, or even as roomy as the related Chevrolet Malibu's. Large sedans aren't what they used to be. While in the past they were both longer and wider than midsize sedans, these days they more often than not share platforms with the latter, and thus are not significantly wider, only longer. Even in the official specs the LaCrosse has nearly an inch less front shoulder room than the "smaller" Malibu. Likewise, the Cadenza's front row dimensions are within fractions of an inch of the Optima's. If you're seeking more front seat room than in a midsize sedan, you won't find it in these cars. To be fair, midsize sedans have grown. Both the Cadenza and LaCrosse have comfortable front seats, with the Buick's cushion perhaps slightly cushier. Take a turn aggressively, though, and you're much more likely to slide off the Buick's non-bucket, as it provides hardly any lateral support. The Cadenza's bolsters are more effective. The payoff for the additional size of these largish sedans can be found in the back seat, where each offers about two inches more legroom than its junior partner. On paper, the Kia Cadenza offers only slightly more total legroom than the Buick LaCrosse. In reality, it offers much more. With the front seat positioned for my 30-inch inseam (I'm not long of leg), I had about ten inches of knee room in the Kia's back seat. The Kia's rear seat cushion is also a little more supportive and comfortable than the Buick's. Not so good: in both cars there's not enough space under the front seats for the rear seat passengers' feet, essentially robbing them of about a half-foot of legroom. This design flaw is more the rule than the exception in upscale sedans. Still, it's not right. see full Kia Cadenza review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2018 Kia Cadenza.