Mercedes-Benz GLK (2012) vs. Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport (2011) Specs

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2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK and 2011 Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport Specifications

Model Year	2012	2011
Model	Mercedes-Benz GLK	Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Hatch
			Difference
Wheelbase	108.5 in	103.1 in	5.4 in
Length	178.3 in	173.8 in	4.5 in
Width	72.4 in	68.5 in	3.9 in
Height	66.9 in	58.5 in	8.4 in
Curb Weight	4034 lb.	3075 lb.	959 lb.
Fuel Capacity	17.4 gal.	16.9 gal.	0.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.8 in	40.3 in	-0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.2 in	54.8 in	0.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.2 in	0.0 in	53.2 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.8 in	43.5 in	-1.7 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.7 in	37.6 in	2.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	55.4 in	53.2 in	2.2 in
Hip Room, Row 2	52.5 in	0.0 in	52.5 in
Legroom, Row 2	35.1 in	33.5 in	1.6 in
Total Legroom	76.9 in (over 2 rows)	77 in (over 2 rows)	-0.1 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	23.3 ft³	19.0 ft³	4.3 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	54.7 ft³	44.4 ft³	10.3 ft³

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
2011	Expect the GLK to grow when it is next fully redesigned. A smaller MLK is on the way to battle the upcoming Audi Q3 and just-arrived BMW X1. For 2013, the GLK's body structure remains essentially the same, so rear seat knee room remains just sufficient for a man of average height sitting behind another such man. (Headroom, on the other hand, is abundant.) Among competitors, only the Infiniti EX37 has a tighter rear seat. The Audi, BMW, and Volvo all offer knees another inch or three. Seat comfort is debatable. To my bottom, the GLK's seats feel overly firm. Cargo space is similarly short of the segment average. The GLK's 54.7 cubic feet isn't far behind the Audi's 57.3 but well below the X3's 63.3. That truncated tail has a downside beyond aesthetics. But do these shortcomings really matter? For most people nearly all of the time, there's enough space. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2011	4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD	I have a problem with headroom. So many cars give me less than a half inch from my scalp to the frame on the sunroof. That hurts over bumps, not to mention what my hair looks like when I get out. GLK has over an inch of space for me. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr SUV turbocharged 168hp 2.1L I4 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD	We are a couple with no kids and we rarely have visitors so the cramped rear seating is not a problem. Someone with teenage kids will want to seriously reconsider before getting a GLK. I know my Mom would not appreciate the ingress/egress ease as she has some limited mobility. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review
2011	4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD	If you are 6' plus like me, you will have to adjust the front seat forward if you want passengers to ride with you unless they are quite small. But this is a perfect city hauler for a single or couple. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review

2011 Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 CVT AWD	I've driven between the SF Bay Area and San Diego several times with no comfort issues. As a point of comparison, I am comfortable with long drives in a 2002 Honda Civic and I would like to burn the seats in a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review
2012	4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	I am 6'4" tall and this is one of the few compact cars I fit into easily with room to spare. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review
2012	4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	The rear seats actually have enough space to comfortably fit full size adults or child car seats. The doors open wide making ingress and egress easy. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review
2012	4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	Amongst small cars, this had quite comfortable rear seat room, which accommodated our car seat better than our previous Volkswagen Jetta. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review
2012	4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	Roomy inside, as well as pretty large greenhouse see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review

2011 Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr Hatch turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Coming from both an MX-5 and Buick Century the cabin of the WRX is very spacious. There is good room for driver and passenger. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review
2012	4dr Hatch turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	I drove he car for a better part of 2 hours today. The seats were very comfortable all around in rush hour traffic on city and highway roads. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review
2012	4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	Seats only adjust two ways, and manual adjustments at that. They're adequate for short trips but uncomfortable if you have to sit for hours. I wish there was an option for multiple power adjustments with memory. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review
2011	4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	There is no lumbar support which makes it tough for drives over 2 hours. The seats could be better for its class. I think Subaru remedied this issue in the new body style, however. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review

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