Saab 9-3 Saab 9-3 2008 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2017

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Saab 9-3 (2008) vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2017) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2008 Saab 9-3 and 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI specs.

2008 Saab 9-3 and 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Specifications

Model Year 2008 2017  
Model Saab 9-3 Volkswagen Golf / GTI  
Engine turbocharged
2.8L V6
DOHC-4v
280 hp@5500
295 lb-ft@2150
turbocharged
2.0L I4
DOHC-4v
292 hp@5400
280 lb-ft@1800
 
Transmission 6-speed shiftable automatic 6-speed automated manual  
Drivetrain AWD AWD  
Body 4dr Wagon 4dr Wagon  
      Difference
Wheelbase 105.3 in 103.5 in 1.8 in
Length 183.2 in 179.6 in 3.6 in
Width 69.4 in 70.8 in -1.4 in
Height 60.6 in 58.3 in 2.3 in
Curb Weight 3730 lb. 3440 lb. 290 lb.
Fuel Capacity 16.4 gal. 13.2 gal. 3.2 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.9 in 38.6 in 0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 56.3 in 55.9 in 0.4 in
Legroom, Row 1 42.3 in 41.2 in 1.1 in
Headroom, Row 2 37.0 in 38.6 in -1.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 55.1 in 53.9 in 1.2 in
Legroom, Row 2 35.1 in 35.6 in -0.5 in
Total Legroom 77.4 in (over 2 rows) 76.8 in (over 2 rows) 0.6 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 29.7 ft3 30.4 ft3 -0.7 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 72.3 ft3 66.5 ft3 5.8 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Saab 9-3

2008 Saab 9-3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Great seats! see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Great seats. Very supportive of back and upper thighs. Don't have tightness in shoulders and neck anymore on long drives. see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I can drive this car further than any other car I have driven and still be comfortable see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Very, very confortable seats. see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Front seat was firm and comfortable in recent 3 hour rides. see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Particularly comfortable for tall drivers see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Plenty of shoulder and leg room. Seats are deep enough. see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Saabs have had great seats forever. Nothing has changed... nice and firm, perfect bolstering. see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Big seats that support long legged people, and comfortable on long drives. see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 Saab 9-3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Limited knee room in front with rear facing car seat behind. see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
The seats are very comfortable, but those with longer legs (especially thighs) might have trouble getting in a comfortable position. Tall drivers may find some awkwardness with all around reach. I.E. The steering wheel doesn't telescope far enough f see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6
6-speed manual AWD
No space. see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 2dr Convertible turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6
6-speed manual FWD
not bad for a convertible but if you regularly have more than 2 passengers rear seat is tight to get in and out with top up. see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Seemed narrow and cramped. see full Saab 9-3 review
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearComment
2016 As I've noted before (when reviewing the e-Golf), the seventh-generation Golf's front seats are shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The CX-5's driver seat also fit me well, but not quite as well as the Volkswagen's. Compared to other compact hatchbacks and its ancestors, the current Golf has a roomy rear seat. I can sit behind my 5-9 self with about five inches of air ahead of my knees. Unless unusually tall people populate both rows, the amount of space should be beyond adequate. Compare the Golf SportWagen's rear seat to that in the CX-5, and a funny thing happens. On paper, the Mazda provides about 3.5 more inches of legroom. When sitting behind myself in both vehicles, though, I had about half as much space ahead of my knees in the CX-5. I've noticed in the past that VW measures rear legroom very conservatively, and apparently they continue to do so. The Golf's interior is roomier than the official specs suggest. Plus its rear seat passengers get air vents. The Mazda's do not. This said, I'm not entirely comfortable in the Golf SportWagen's rear seat. To me it feels overly reclined. In neither the GSW nor the CX-5 is the degree of recline adjustable. It is in some compact crossovers. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Difficult ingress and egress see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans, Convertibles, and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all Saab models.