Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2014 BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series 2008

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Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2014) vs. BMW 3-Series (2008) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2014 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2008 BMW 3-Series specs.

2014 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2008 BMW 3-Series Specifications

Model Year 2014 2008  
Model Volkswagen Golf / GTI BMW 3-Series  
Engine  
Transmission  
Drivetrain  
Body 4dr Hatch 4dr Wagon  
      Difference
Wheelbase 101.5 in 108.7 in -7.2 in
Length 165.4 in 178.2 in -12.8 in
Width 70.3 in 71.5 in -1.2 in
Height 58.3 in 55.8 in 2.5 in
Curb Weight 2968 lb. 3462 lb. -494 lb.
Fuel Capacity 14.5 gal. 15.9 gal. -1.4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 39.3 in 38.5 in 0.8 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 54.7 in 55.4 in -0.7 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.2 in 41.5 in -0.3 in
Headroom, Row 2 38.5 in 38.0 in 0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 52.8 in 55.1 in -2.3 in
Legroom, Row 2 35.5 in 34.6 in 0.9 in
Total Legroom 76.7 in (over 2 rows) 76.1 in (over 2 rows) 0.6 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 15.0 ft3 24.8 ft3 -9.8 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 46.0 ft3 58.0 ft3 -12 ft3

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2014 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2014 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearComment
2015 The original Golf revolutionized the automotive world by demonstrating how practical a small car could be. Though the latest, seventh-generation Golf is much larger than the original, and every major auto maker now offers a Golf-like compact, the Volkswagen continues to impress with its practicality. Let's start with the front seat. The seat itself is shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The performance buckets in the GTI and R have firmer bolsters that provide more lateral support, but the regular Golf's buckets are cushier and more comfortably contoured. The e-Golf uses the same exemplary seats. In comparison, the seats in the Soul EV are merely okay. The view forward from the e-Golf's driver seat is also about as good as it gets in a current compact, with a reasonably-sized instrument panel and an expansive, comfortably raked windshield flanked by relatively thin pillars. This said, some people might prefer the higher driving position in the quasi-crossover Soul EV. For me, a conventional car's lower position continues to feel more natural, especially in turns. Battery packs take up space. Even with the (roughly) 1.5-kWh battery packs used by hybrids cargo capacity usually takes a hit. In the Soul EV, rear seat legroom suffers a three-inch reduction due to the underfloor location of the car's 27-kWh battery pack. But VW engineers managed to design and package a 24-kWh battery pack so cleverly that the e-Golf's passenger and cargo room are identical to those of a regular Golf. Adults will comfortably fit in the car's back seat. The same can't be said about most other EVs--the Soul being a second exception. Even with the three-inch cut, the Kia's back seat is about as roomy as the Golf's. The i3's back seat is far tighter. Which EV treats its passengers best depends on the season. The e-Golf includes rear air vents, while the Soul EV+ includes rear seat bun warmers. Moving to the cargo area, the Soul EV's battery pack eats up a dozen cubic feet, leaving just under 50. The uncompromised e-Golf can contain a couple more. But these figures don't convey the differing proportions of the cars' cargo holds. The e-Golf's is a few inches longer, while the Soul EV's is a few inches taller. Which is the better cargo hauler depends on the shape of your cargo. The much larger Tesla Model S can hold a few more cubic feet, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class about the same as the e-Golf. No other EV comes close, especially not the 12-cube BMW i3. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 BMW 3-Series

2008 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2008 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Sport seats fit me exceptionally well. Plush enough for the wife to enjoy a long drive. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
I found the sport package seats comfortable see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8
6-speed manual RWD
Power seats are very comfortable, even for long hauls. see full BMW 3-Series review
2007 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
More padding, slightly larger than e46 sport seats, fully adjustable side bolsters and the Dakota leather seems thicker and softer than the e-46 leather. see full BMW 3-Series review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
back support see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Limited for adults see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8
7-speed automated manual RWD
Wish the rear seats had 1" more legroom. see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed manual AWD
With a 6-foot driver, rear seat room is barely adequate for adults, for short trips. This is typical for this car segment, though. see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 0 Not much room in rear see if driver is 6 feet tall see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Too small for most adults. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
ride is very jiggly, can feel every imperfection in the road. I think the tires may be very poor for this car. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
It has a back seat, but unless it is a short trip it is very tight for adults. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
A bit small for me, both in the seat and in the cabin in general. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Tighter quarters in rear than RX see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
With a young family, not much room in the back seat for children in car seats. see full BMW 3-Series review
 
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