Model Year | 2016 | 2007 | |
Model | Subaru Forester | Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 101.5 in | 2.4 in |
Length | 180.9 in | 165.8 in | 15.1 in |
Width | 70.7 in | 68.3 in | 2.4 in |
Height | 66.4 in | 58.4 in | 8 in |
Curb Weight | 3296 lb. | 3071 lb. | 225 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 1.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 41.4 in | 39.3 in | 2.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.0 in | 54.7 in | 2.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.0 in | 41.2 in | 1.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.8 in | 38.5 in | 1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.5 in | 54.6 in | 1.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.0 in | 35.3 in | 2.7 in |
Total Legroom | 81 in (over 2 rows) | 76.5 in (over 2 rows) | 4.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 34.4 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | 19.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 74.7 ft3 | 41.8 ft3 | 32.9 ft3 |
2016 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2015 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD |
I'm 6'3" and often don't fit comfortable in vehicles. I found this had a very nice amount of front seat room. The center console tends to stay out of the way as well, some newer designs have the center stack moving into where my right knee would be. It's a very noticeable improvement over my previous 2009 Escape. I actually found the Forester more comfortable for me than the Outback. I was expecting the opposite. see full Subaru Forester review |
2015 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD |
After looking at Explorer's, I was surprised how much more room the Forester had in the back seat. Granted it doesn't have a third row, but if you don't need a 3rd row, the Forester is hard to beat in this segment for rear seat room. We can put a forward facing child seat in the back, move the front seat up a about 2 inches from all the way back and there's still plenty of front passenger room and my 1.5 year old son can't kick the back of the seat. see full Subaru Forester review |
2016 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2017 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
- Terrible front seat support - The cushions are too short - It's not noticeable on a test drive right away. I would not have bought the car! Test drive extensively! - Surfaces where your elbows would lay are too hard - I purchased foam pads to make it feel better. - Tall drivers like myself will struggle with the telescoping wheel's short extension range. - It is hard to get into a fully comfortable driving position. The memory seats in the XT help somewhat by retaining your seat settings if moved. - Front seat cushions are too short - Yes I said this twice - Front seat cushions are too short - Yes I said this THREE times! Subaru are you listening? The front seat cushions are WAY TOO SHORT! see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Plenty of space, good lumbar support, nice side bolstering. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
With only one car, I needed a sporty car with legitimate rear seat room and an automatic for the other users. I have had 2 6ft passengers in the back seat without complaint. The cushion could use a little more height/angle to aid in leg support. Nitpickin see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
well bolstered, firm, both driver and passenger seats have height and lumbar adjust see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
With the 4 door GTI I can drive 4 full size adults around in comfort. Easy ingress-egress. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
Fits me perfectly, all controls ideal for me. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
most comfortable seats out of the Totoya Matrix, Mazda 3, Honda fit, Nissan Versa see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Excellent seats and comfort, however occasionally find the seats a bit narrow and the foot well can be tight in some shoes. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The sport seats in the basic black leatherette are nicely bolstered though not overly enveloping like seats in my FR-S. This means it hits a nice middle ground of comfort but still keeping you from being thrown around in aggressive driving. The manually adjusted seats are easily positioned to a comfortable state after you figure out which of the 4 levers is doing what. The adjustible thigh support is especially nice and not something I often see in this segment. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The front seats offer great lateral support. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Zero fatigue on long drives, natural driving position see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
It works fine for me, but if you have adults that use the rear seat often they may find it a little uncomfortable for long trips. The legroom is decent, but the seats are a bit hard and not all that ergonomic. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Great for my kids (4 and 7) but small for adults. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2006 | 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Seats could be firmer though adequate. It has no lumbar support and expended use probably will change the shape of the foam used in the seat. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |