Model Year | 2008 | 2012 | |
Model | Subaru Outback | Mercedes-Benz GLK | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 243 hp@6000 241 lb-ft@3600 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 268 hp@6000 258 lb-ft@2400 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed shiftable automatic | 7-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 108.5 in | -3.4 in |
Length | 188.7 in | 178.3 in | 10.4 in |
Width | 69.7 in | 72.4 in | -2.7 in |
Height | 63.2 in | 66.9 in | -3.7 in |
Curb Weight | 3605 lb. | 4034 lb. | -429 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.9 gal. | 17.4 gal. | -0.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.5 in | 39.8 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.4 in | 55.2 in | -0.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 51.0 in | 53.2 in | -2.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 44.1 in | 41.8 in | 2.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.1 in | 39.7 in | -0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.7 in | 55.4 in | -1.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.6 in | 52.5 in | 0.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 33.9 in | 35.1 in | -1.2 in |
Total Legroom | 78 in (over 2 rows) | 76.9 in (over 2 rows) | 1.1 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 33.5 ft3 | 23.3 ft3 | 10.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 66.2 ft3 | 54.7 ft3 | 11.5 ft3 |
2008 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
A little tight in the left portion of the footwell; small dead pedal. see full Subaru Outback review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Footroom too short. see full Subaru Outback review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
not long enough for a 6 foot 2 inch frame but I manage see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I was amazed at how small the back seat is in this car. Really no bigger than a compact sedan, eg Civic or Corolla. I can't fit my 3 kids (in car seats) back there, and feel bad when co-workers pile in to go to lunch. Surprisingly small for a vehicle this size, and marketed as a "family car." If you plan to put adults or 3 kids back there regularly, look at the '10 or newer (or at something else -- the rear seat in my co-worker's Accord is far bigger and more comfortable). see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Leg and head room lacking for over 6 footers. see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Seat back a bit low for 6 footers. see full Subaru Outback review |
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2011 | Expect the GLK to grow when it is next fully redesigned. A smaller MLK is on the way to battle the upcoming Audi Q3 and just-arrived BMW X1. For 2013, the GLK's body structure remains essentially the same, so rear seat knee room remains just sufficient for a man of average height sitting behind another such man. (Headroom, on the other hand, is abundant.) Among competitors, only the Infiniti EX37 has a tighter rear seat. The Audi, BMW, and Volvo all offer knees another inch or three. Seat comfort is debatable. To my bottom, the GLK's seats feel overly firm. Cargo space is similarly short of the segment average. The GLK's 54.7 cubic feet isn't far behind the Audi's 57.3 but well below the X3's 63.3. That truncated tail has a downside beyond aesthetics. But do these shortcomings really matter? For most people nearly all of the time, there's enough space. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I have a problem with headroom. So many cars give me less than a half inch from my scalp to the frame on the sunroof. That hurts over bumps, not to mention what my hair looks like when I get out. GLK has over an inch of space for me. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 168hp 2.1L I4 Diesel 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
We are a couple with no kids and we rarely have visitors so the cramped rear seating is not a problem. Someone with teenage kids will want to seriously reconsider before getting a GLK. I know my Mom would not appreciate the ingress/egress ease as she has some limited mobility. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |
2011 | 4dr SUV 268-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
If you are 6' plus like me, you will have to adjust the front seat forward if you want passengers to ride with you unless they are quite small. But this is a perfect city hauler for a single or couple. see full Mercedes-Benz GLK review |