Mercedes-Benz GLK Mercedes-Benz GLK 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Volkswagen Beetle 2012

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Mercedes-Benz GLK (2012) vs. Volkswagen Beetle (2012) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle specs.

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Specifications

Model Year 2012 2012  
Model Mercedes-Benz GLK Volkswagen Beetle  
Engine  
Transmission  
Drivetrain  
Body 4dr SUV 2dr Hatch  
      Difference
Wheelbase 108.5 in 99.9 in 8.6 in
Length 178.3 in 168.4 in 9.9 in
Width 72.4 in 71.2 in 1.2 in
Height 66.9 in 58.5 in 8.4 in
Curb Weight 4034 lb. 2939 lb. 1095 lb.
Fuel Capacity 17.4 gal. 14.5 gal. 2.9 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 39.8 in 39.4 in 0.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 55.2 in 55.3 in -0.1 in
Hip Room, Row 1 53.2 in 0.0 in 53.2 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.8 in 41.3 in 0.5 in
Headroom, Row 2 39.7 in 37.1 in 2.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 55.4 in 49.0 in 6.4 in
Hip Room, Row 2 52.5 in 0.0 in 52.5 in
Legroom, Row 2 35.1 in 31.4 in 3.7 in
Total Legroom 76.9 in (over 2 rows) 72.7 in (over 2 rows) 4.2 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 23.3 ft3 15.4 ft3 7.9 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 54.7 ft3 29.9 ft3 24.8 ft3

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
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
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK

2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
2012 Back in the 1960s VW entreated Americans to "think small." Lately, though, the German manufacturers cars have been getting bigger and bigger. The latest redesign added over two inches to the car's length (now 168 inches) and over two inches to its width (now a midsize-like 71.2 inches. Compared to the 146-by-66-inch, 2,822-pound Mini and the 140-by-64-inch, 2,434-pound Fiat, the 3,340-pound Beetle TDI convertible is a big, heavy car. As noted earlier, solidity and ride quality benefit from this additional bulk. But rear seat room does not. Sure, the Beetle Convertible's rear seat is more viable than the MINI's, but bars to clear rarely come lower. The Fiat is in the same (adults-in-a-pinch) ballpark. In addition to the space shortage, the VW's rear seat back is uncomfortably upright. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 0 The rear seat is also surprisingly roomy. My 6'2" father was able to sit comfortably in the back for ~30 min hops around town. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The back seat, if you could really call it that, leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe another 3 in. That being said it fits a car seat with my 6' frame in the front seat ahead of it, so it gets the job done. Once the top goes down the interior space seems adequate. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
2012 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
I love my Beetle, but the rear seat legspace is not so good. For me its no problem at all, since normally only my wife and i drive the car, but when you normally have to drive with 4 adults, it can become crampy at the back. If the driver and front passenger are not that tall, the rear legspace is quite good. Even the headspace is ok. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
 
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