Saab 9-3 (2009) vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2017) Specs

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2009 Saab 9-3 and 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Specifications

Model Year	2009	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	2,675 mm	2,629 mm	0 mm
Length	4,653 mm	4,562 mm	0 mm
Width	1,763 mm	1,798 mm	0 mm
Height	1,539 mm	1,481 mm	0 mm
Curb Weight	1,692 kg	1,560 kg	0 kg
Fuel Capacity	62 L	50 L	12 L
Headroom, Row 1	988 mm	980 mm	8 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 1	1,430 mm	1,420 mm	0 mm
Legroom, Row 1	1,074 mm	1,046 mm	0 mm
Headroom, Row 2	940 mm	980 mm	-40 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 2	1,400 mm	1,369 mm	0 mm
Legroom, Row 2	892 mm	904 mm	-12 mm
Total Legroom	1,966 mm (over 2 rows)	1,951 mm (over 2 rows)	0 mm
Cargo Volume, Minimum	841 L	861 L	-20 L
Cargo Volume, Maximum	2,047 L	1,883 L	1 L

2009 Saab 9-3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
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

2009 Saab 9-3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
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

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
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

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2016	2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	Difficult ingress and egress see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review

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