Model Year | 2006 | 2012 | |
Model | Subaru Forester | Volkswagen Passat | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 230 hp@5600 235 lb-ft@3600 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 280 hp@6200 258 lb-ft@2500 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed manual | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 99.4 in | 110.4 in | -11 in |
Length | 176.6 in | 191.6 in | -15 in |
Width | 68.3 in | 72.2 in | -3.9 in |
Height | 65.0 in | 58.5 in | 6.5 in |
Curb Weight | 3310 lb. | 3446 lb. | -136 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 18.5 gal. | -2.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.8 in | 38.3 in | 1.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 53.5 in | 56.9 in | -3.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 51.6 in | 0.0 in | 51.6 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.6 in | 42.4 in | 1.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.7 in | 37.8 in | 1.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.6 in | 57.0 in | -3.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 51.6 in | 0.0 in | 51.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 33.7 in | 39.1 in | -5.4 in |
Total Legroom | 77.3 in (over 2 rows) | 81.5 in (over 2 rows) | -4.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 32.0 ft3 | 15.9 ft3 | 16.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 57.7 ft3 | 15.9 ft3 | 41.8 ft3 |
2006 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
easy to find comfortable position; no problems driving over an hour or more; good upright position see full Subaru Forester review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
There is leg room. The seat is adjustable enough. see full Subaru Forester review |
2006 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Front driver leg room is a little cramped from side to side. see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
No thigh or lumbar support, seats hrad, minimal leg room for front passenger see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Not acceptable for an adult in any of the three rear seating positions see full Subaru Forester review |
2006 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Again, cramped and too small for larger people. see full Subaru Forester review |
2006 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
This is honesty the only complaint i have about the 2006 XT. The rear seat is a bit tight. We took three other adults on about a 4 hour trip and it was a tight fit - good thing we're good friends! My wife's 2009 Forester is much better in the rear legroom department. see full Subaru Forester review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Rear seat is just too small, but that has been fixed for the 2009 models. The front seat, actually the cabin of the car is just a bit too narrow. It needs more elbow room. see full Subaru Forester review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Not enough elbow room. see full Subaru Forester review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Rear seat room is a bit tight for larger people. Car seats are a little tight in both rear and forward facing positions. see full Subaru Forester review |
2012 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2012 | Volkswagen's research must have found that Americans highly value rear legroom, because the Passat has an abundance of it. Unless you're an NBA center you'll have plenty of room to stretch out in the back of this sedan. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
SEL Premium seating is fantastic. Definitely worth the cost of the upgrade over the mid-grade seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
rear seat room is exceptional. can handle long-legged folks with ease and those with large shoe sizes. enter and exiting with larger folks not a problem either. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Older teenagers like the extra room see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
HUGE amount of rear legroom! see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tons of room while driving. I am 6'4" and have plenty of leg and headroom. see full Volkswagen Passat review |