Model Year | 2017 | 2011 | |
Model | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | BMW 5-Series | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 292 hp@5400 280 lb-ft@1800 |
turbocharged 4.4L V8 DOHC-4v 400 hp@5500 450 lb-ft@1750 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 8-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,637 mm | 2,969 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,255 mm | 4,905 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,798 mm | 1,859 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,453 mm | 1,463 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,515 kg | 2,050 kg | -1 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 50 L | 70 L | -20 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 975 mm | 1,029 mm | 974 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,420 mm | 1,481 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,046 mm | 1,052 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 968 mm | 973 mm | -5 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,369 mm | 1,427 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 904 mm | 917 mm | -13 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,951 mm (over 2 rows) | 1,969 mm (over 2 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 646 L | 521 L | 125 L |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 1,492 L | 18.4 | -17.4 L |
2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | As I've noted before (when reviewing the e-Golf), the seventh-generation Golf's front seats are shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The CX-5's driver seat also fit me well, but not quite as well as the Volkswagen's. Compared to other compact hatchbacks and its ancestors, the current Golf has a roomy rear seat. I can sit behind my 5-9 self with about five inches of air ahead of my knees. Unless unusually tall people populate both rows, the amount of space should be beyond adequate. Compare the Golf SportWagen's rear seat to that in the CX-5, and a funny thing happens. On paper, the Mazda provides about 3.5 more inches of legroom. When sitting behind myself in both vehicles, though, I had about half as much space ahead of my knees in the CX-5. I've noticed in the past that VW measures rear legroom very conservatively, and apparently they continue to do so. The Golf's interior is roomier than the official specs suggest. Plus its rear seat passengers get air vents. The Mazda's do not. This said, I'm not entirely comfortable in the Golf SportWagen's rear seat. To me it feels overly reclined. In neither the GSW nor the CX-5 is the degree of recline adjustable. It is in some compact crossovers. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2016 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Difficult ingress and egress see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
All I need. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2011 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
People 5 foot 3 and above cannot sit comfortably in the back seat on long trips. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Almost limo sized with very comfortable shaping. see full BMW 5-Series review |