Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2017) vs. Subaru WRX (2016) Specs

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2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2016 Subaru WRX Specifications

Model Year	2017	2016
Model	Volkswagen Golf / GTI	Subaru WRX
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 292 hp@5400 280 lb-ft@1800	turbocharged 2.0L H4 DOHC-4v 268 hp@5600 258 lb-ft@2000
Transmission	6-speed automated manual	6-speed manual
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr Hatch	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.8 in	104.3 in	-0.5 in
Length	167.5 in	180.9 in	-13.4 in
Width	70.8 in	70.7 in	0.1 in
Height	57.2 in	58.1 in	-0.9 in
Curb Weight	3340 lb.	3267 lb.	73 lb.
Fuel Capacity	13.2 gal.	15.9 gal.	-2.7 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	38.4 in	39.8 in	-1.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.9 in	55.6 in	0.3 in
Hip Room, Row 1	0.0 in	52.2 in	-52.2 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.2 in	43.3 in	-2.1 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.1 in	37.1 in	1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	53.9 in	54.2 in	-0.3 in
Hip Room, Row 2	0.0 in	53.1 in	-53.1 in
Legroom, Row 2	35.6 in	35.4 in	0.2 in
Total Legroom	76.8 in (over 2 rows)	78.7 in (over 2 rows)	-1.9 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	22.8 ft³	12.0 ft³	10.8 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	52.7 ft³	12.0 ft³	40.7 ft³

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

2016 Subaru WRX Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	The Subaru WRX has always been fun to drive. But it used to be cramped inside, especially in the back seat. This is no longer an issue. The new car has more rear seat legroom than the one-size-up Legacy had during its 2005-2009 glory days. Unless your friends and family are tall, they'll fit in back. While the GTI's back seat is nearly as roomy, the Focus ST's isn't in the same ballpark. If you want rear air vents for your passengers, though, you'll have to get the VW or the Ford. Subaru doesn't offer them in the WRX. see full Subaru WRX review

2016 Subaru WRX Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2016	4dr Sedan turbocharged 268hp 2.0L H4 6-speed manual AWD	Anyone whose owned a previous-gen WRX knows rear seat space, especially leg room, as "OK" at best. Subaru has revised the rear seats to where there is now more leg room for the lucky passengers in the rear. With the driver seat adjusted to how I sit (I'm 6-feet tall and have a more upright seating position), there is about 1.5 inches of space between my knees and the driver seat back (vs. no space on the previous gen!). Comfort is pretty good, although the seats take on more of a lean on the seat back, which may/may not jive well with your passengers backs. see full Subaru WRX review

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