Subaru Outback (2015) vs. BMW X1 (2014) Specs

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2015 Subaru Outback and 2014 BMW X1 Specifications

Model Year	2015	2014
Model	Subaru Outback	BMW X1
Engine	3.6L H6 DOHC-4v 256 hp@6000 247 lb-ft@4400	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 240 hp@5000 260 lb-ft@1250
Transmission	6-speed shiftable CVT	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr Wagon	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	108.1 in	108.7 in	-0.6 in
Length	189.6 in	176.5 in	13.1 in
Width	72.4 in	70.8 in	1.6 in
Height	66.1 in	60.8 in	5.3 in
Curb Weight	3810 lb.	3726 lb.	84 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	16.6 gal.	1.9 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.8 in	41.3 in	-0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	58.1 in	55.0 in	3.1 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.5 in	0.0 in	55.5 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.9 in	41.4 in	1.5 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.9 in	39.7 in	-0.8 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	57.3 in	54.6 in	2.7 in
Hip Room, Row 2	55.0 in	0.0 in	55 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.1 in	34.9 in	3.2 in
Total Legroom	81 in (over 2 rows)	76.3 in (over 2 rows)	4.7 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	35.5 ft³	14.8 ft³	20.7 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	73.3 ft³	47.7 ft³	25.6 ft³

2015 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	Through the 2009 model year, the Outback (and the related Legacy sedan) had a tight back seat. Though marketed as a midsize car, it was actually a compact. The 2010 redesign dramatically expanded the Outback's interior, especially in the back seat. The 2015 redesign added another inch of shoulder room, such that the Outback (and Legacy) are now not only truly midsize, but rank among the roomiest midsize cars. Rear air vents are offered--in Outbacks with leather. So the tested car lacked them. Some compact crossovers, including the Cherokee, are about as roomy, but they achieve their specs through a more upright seating position. People in the back seat are closer to the front seats, so they don't feel like they have as much room even though they have just as much space for their legs. But they get rear air vents even in the lower trim levels. see full Subaru Outback review

2015 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	The front seats have an unusually high bulge just below my shoulder blades. This feels more odd than uncomfortable, at least to me. The driver's lumbar adjusts, but this affects the area below said bulge. Partly depending on your height your experience might vary. These seats also provide very little lateral support, which admittedly isn't much of an issue given the non-sporting character (and non-sporting tires) of the Outback. I had no such qualms with the armrest on the door. It's wide and cushy. In the front seats' favor, for 2015 Subaru has added fore-aft adjustability to the headrests, a rarity in recent moderately priced cars. The Jeep's cloth seats are too squishy, but they're more form-fittting than the Subaru's, and I find them more comfortable. see full Subaru Outback review

2015 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2016	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	see full Subaru Outback review
2016	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	see full Subaru Outback review
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	The front seats are very comfy, and the seat heaters are powerful and warm up quickly. We compared the car to a 2014 Forrester, and we think the OB seats are more comfy-- they have more thigh support. see full Subaru Outback review
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	The rear seats are much more comfy than in the old Outback. They took a couple of inches out of the cargo area to give the rear seat more room. The reclining seatback for the rear seats is a nice comfort as well. see full Subaru Outback review

2015 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	Minor complaint-- like every other Japanese car I've ever owned, this one also doesn't seem to understand that feet get cold. The heater is great- it provides lots of heat, and quickly. But when you you set it to floor, the hot air hits you in the lower calf, and then rises. The heat never makes it to your feet! see full Subaru Outback review

2014 BMW X1 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	BMW makes great sport seats, with support in the right places and power-adjustable side bolsters. This said, those in the X1 Sport Line feel less cushy, and so less overtly comfortable, than I recall from other BMWs. The Evoque's front buckets lack adjustable side bolsters, but feel more luxurious. While the BMW wins on support, the Land Rover wins on comfort. Another tie. Update: when I later had an Evoque for a week its seats felt less comfortable than they had during the dealer test drive. So I'm revising this rating in favor of the BMW. see full BMW X1 review

2014 BMW X1 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	The BMW X1's interior dimensions also closely resemble those of the previous-generation 3-Series. Up front, there's a little less space to stretch out than in the X3. But abundant headroom. About half of the X1's additional height is over one's head--you sit only a couple inches higher than in the 3-Series. This additional airspace also distinguishes the X1 from the allroad. Rear seat room could be more of an issue. As in the old 3 and the new allroad, a couple of average-sized adults will fit behind a couple more with perhaps an inch or two of clearance for their knees, while a third would be a squeeze. The seat back reclines, but the seat cushion is too low to provide good thigh support. The Evoque is similarly a less-than-ideal choice for four-plus adults taking a long trip. see full BMW X1 review

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