Model Year | 2013 | 2009 | |
Model | Mercedes-Benz GLK | Volkswagen Passat | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Wagon | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.5 in | 106.7 in | 1.8 in |
Length | 178.3 in | 188.0 in | -9.7 in |
Width | 74.3 in | 71.7 in | 2.6 in |
Height | 66.9 in | 59.7 in | 7.2 in |
Curb Weight | 4079 lb. | 3512 lb. | 567 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 17.4 gal. | 18.5 gal. | -1.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.8 in | 38.3 in | 1.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.2 in | 55.7 in | -0.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.2 in | 0.0 in | 53.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.4 in | 41.4 in | 0 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.7 in | 38.6 in | 1.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.4 in | 54.6 in | 0.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.5 in | 0.0 in | 52.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.1 in | 37.7 in | -2.6 in |
Total Legroom | 76.5 in (over 2 rows) | 79.1 in (over 2 rows) | -2.6 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 23.3 ft3 | 35.8 ft3 | -12.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 54.7 ft3 | 61.7 ft3 | -7 ft3 |
2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
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 |
2013 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 |
2009 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Comfortable power seats with power lumbar adjustment. Good side support, and with the tilting/telescoping steering wheel - easy to find a comfortable driving position. Also has easy to use steering wheel controls for the cars stereo/trip computer. 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 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 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 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 |
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 |
2009 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 |