Nissan Maxima Nissan Maxima 2009 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2012

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Nissan Maxima (2009) vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2012) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2009 Nissan Maxima and 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI specs.

2009 Nissan Maxima and 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Specifications

Model Year 2009 2012  
Model Nissan Maxima Volkswagen Golf / GTI  
Engine 3.5L V6
DOHC-4v
290 hp@6400
261 lb-ft@4400
turbocharged
2.0L I4
DOHC-4v
256 hp@4300
243 lb-ft@2400
 
Transmission 6-speed shiftable CVT 6-speed manual  
Drivetrain FWD AWD  
Body 4dr Sedan 4dr Hatch  
      Difference
Wheelbase 109.3 in 101.5 in 7.8 in
Length 190.6 in 165.4 in 25.2 in
Width 73.2 in 70.3 in 2.9 in
Height 57.8 in 58.3 in -0.5 in
Curb Weight 3556 lb. 3326 lb. 230 lb.
Fuel Capacity 20.0 gal. 14.5 gal. 5.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.5 in 39.3 in -0.8 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 56.3 in 54.7 in 1.6 in
Hip Room, Row 1 53.4 in 0.0 in 53.4 in
Legroom, Row 1 43.8 in 41.2 in 2.6 in
Headroom, Row 2 36.4 in 38.5 in -2.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 55.1 in 52.8 in 2.3 in
Hip Room, Row 2 53.9 in 0.0 in 53.9 in
Legroom, Row 2 34.6 in 35.5 in -0.9 in
Total Legroom 78.4 in (over 2 rows) 76.7 in (over 2 rows) 1.7 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 14.2 ft3 15.0 ft3 -0.8 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 14.2 ft3 46.0 ft3 -31.8 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2009 Nissan Maxima

2009 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Lumbar in the base model. Good side bolstering on bottom cushion and through the shoulders. Large range of adjustment and the wheel tilts and shifts. see full Nissan Maxima review
2010 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Lots of room, soft seats. see full Nissan Maxima review
2009 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Bucket seats hold you in around corners - very supportive. Telescopic steering wheel and power seats ensure you get a great driving position. Both seats and steering wheel are heated. Dual climate control great for passengers. see full Nissan Maxima review
2009 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
It fits everywhere. On a recent trip, I drove all day and was never "seat tired". see full Nissan Maxima review
2009 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Adjustable everything! Air conditioned driver seat a huge consideration. see full Nissan Maxima review
2009 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
My tall friends hit there heads on the roofline, they are over 6 foot see full Nissan Maxima review
2009 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
The rear seat of the 7th gen Maxima is slightly smaller than that of the 6th gen Maxima. Still fairly roomy, but slightly smaller. This is understandable because of the major styling change, and the conversion from 'near luxury family sedan' back to 'near luxury family sedan with a sporty edge' that took place between these generations. see full Nissan Maxima review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Four adults can easily and comfortably fit in this car, with plenty of room for luggage. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
Seats actually fit your body and have proper bolstering, unlike most other seats in this price range which are more like shelves for oversized American behinds. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Good leg room and supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Good leg room for a small car. Supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
I have MS, so comfortable seats are a must. This is the only car that I've been in where I could do a non-stop trip from Michigan to Washington DC in. No fatigue, no stopping for a stretch. It's that good, and VW throws in standard heated seats for the GTI. And they do mean "heated" seats, not "warmed" seats, not "take-the-edge-off" seats. Turn them on full and your bum will be roasting with in a few minutes. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Firm, supportive seats. Not too hard. Should be excellent for long road trips. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
Firm, yet comfortable. Excellent lateral support in the turns. Excellent thigh support fro taller driver. Can sit for hours and still feel comfortable. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 
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