Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2016 Subaru Outback Subaru Outback 2011

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Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2016) vs. Subaru Outback (2011) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2011 Subaru Outback specs.

2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2011 Subaru Outback Specifications

Model Year 2016 2011  
Model Volkswagen Golf / GTI Subaru Outback  
Engine turbocharged
2.0L I4
DOHC-4v
292 hp@5400
280 lb-ft@1800
3.6L H6
DOHC-4v
256 hp@6000
247 lb-ft@4400
 
Transmission 6-speed automated manual 5-speed shiftable automatic  
Drivetrain AWD AWD  
Body 4dr Wagon 4dr Wagon  
      Difference
Wheelbase 103.5 in 107.9 in -4.4 in
Length 179.6 in 188.2 in -8.6 in
Width 70.8 in 71.7 in -0.9 in
Height 58.3 in 65.7 in -7.4 in
Curb Weight 3440 lb. 3544 lb. -104 lb.
Fuel Capacity 13.2 gal. 18.5 gal. -5.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.6 in 40.8 in -2.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 55.9 in 56.3 in -0.4 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.2 in 43.0 in -1.8 in
Headroom, Row 2 38.6 in 39.3 in -0.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 53.9 in 56.1 in -2.2 in
Legroom, Row 2 35.6 in 37.8 in -2.2 in
Total Legroom 76.8 in (over 2 rows) 80.8 in (over 2 rows) -4 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 30.4 ft3 34.3 ft3 -3.9 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 66.5 ft3 71.3 ft3 -4.8 ft3

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2016 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
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Difficult ingress and egress see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2011 Subaru Outback

2011 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
I am a big guy. 5'10 and about 290 lbs. This car is very comfortable for me. I can reach the controls nicely, love the heated leather seats. see full Subaru Outback review
2012 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
I have found our 2012 Outback to be very comfortable for long drives. The driver's seat has plenty of adjustment to accommodate my frame. Legroom is outstanding. My wife got so spoiled with the heated seats in our 99 Outback Limited that she balks at cars without. So our 2010 and now the 2012 have had the heated seats. see full Subaru Outback review
2012 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
Rear seat comfort is excellent even for very tall teenagers and 20 somethings. The redesign of the Outback in 2010 noticeably improved rear seat space. One note when flipping down the back seats. Make sure your head is out of the way when you lift the release lever. The seat back springs forward quickly. The angle of the rear seat can also be reclined for additional comfort. The fold down center cup holder is a nice touch. The seating position is high so visibility is great. see full Subaru Outback review
2012 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
Very comfortable. see full Subaru Outback review
2012 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
0 see full Subaru Outback review
2011 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
Wide space with lots of shoulder, hip, leg and head room. Seats are comfy too without being decadent. see full Subaru Outback review
2011 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
Impressed with the seat comfort/adjustability/durability. 12+hours in the chair is no problem. see full Subaru Outback review
2010 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed manual AWD
It seems to have as much room as my Chevy Suburban. see full Subaru Outback review
2010 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed manual AWD
More then enough room for my children and their car seats. Much more room compared to my VW Passat Wagon I traded in. see full Subaru Outback review
2010 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
This is a big one for me since I'm 6'6". The seat is very comfortable, even with my long legs. With it all the way back, I can fit in the rear seat as well. Also, heated seats are a wonderful thing. see full Subaru Outback review
2011 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4
6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
One complaint is the hard, short driver's seat. I use a gel cushion. I had after market leather installed. see full Subaru Outback review
2010 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
There are no adjustements for height, lumbar or tilt for the passenger in any of the available trim levels. We would have bought this car new from the dealer otherwise. see full Subaru Outback review
 
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