Model Year | 2007 | 2015 | |
Model | Volkswagen Passat | Fiat 500L | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 106.7 in | 102.8 in | 3.9 in |
Length | 188.0 in | 167.3 in | 20.7 in |
Width | 71.7 in | 69.8 in | 1.9 in |
Height | 59.7 in | 65.7 in | -6 in |
Curb Weight | 3473 lb. | 3203 lb. | 270 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 5.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.3 in | 40.7 in | -2.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.7 in | 57.3 in | -1.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 54.9 in | -54.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.4 in | 40.0 in | 1.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.6 in | 38.7 in | -0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.6 in | 54.6 in | 0 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 49.4 in | -49.4 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.7 in | 36.7 in | 1 in |
Total Legroom | 79.1 in (over 2 rows) | 76.7 in (over 2 rows) | 2.4 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 35.8 ft3 | 22.4 ft3 | 13.4 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 61.7 ft3 | 68.0 ft3 | -6.3 ft3 |
2007 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Lots of rear legroom and space for car seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Passat provided more interior space especially in the rear than the Audi A4 see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Compared to other sporty wagons (BMW, Subaru) the Passat has about 3" more rear leg room - enough to put my full-size parents and/or friends in the back seat without making them do contortions. Easier to get a child in and out of a rear safety seat, too. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Extremely comfortable front drivers seat w/ 12 way electronic adjustment. Able to find perfect driving position. Very little fatigue even after 12 - 14 hours of driving (taking breaks for food / gas of course). Lumbar adjusts both up/down and in/out. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
This version of the Passat can easily fit 3 across seating in the rear see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
More than large enough for American size bodies! see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 280-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
larger than chief competitors (BMW 3 series, Audi A4) see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Well bolstered seat, best seat heaters I ever had (have had Land Rovers and own a SAAB). see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Plenty of room in the front seat without squeezing the backseat. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Plenty of room in the back seats. Room for three comfortably. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
No thigh support, not as comfortable as my 2000 Passat see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
My two teenagers complain that the rear seat cushion is low and not very comfortable to sit on for long distances. the leg room is great. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2015 Fiat 500L Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | The front seats in the 500 (no L) aren't my favorite aspect of the car (to put it lightly). Those in the 500L are totally different. They're not luxurious. They're not sporty. But they're firm without being overly firm and the way the seatback angles forward from its midpoint provides excellent mid-back support. A power lumbar adjuster is available, but the tested car lacked this feature and I didn't miss it. The Soul's front seats are flatter, firmer, lacking in lumbar support, and generally much less comfortable. see full Fiat 500L review |
2015 Fiat 500L Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The 500L's rear seat, which slides and reclines, is mounted very high off the floor, and consequently provides better thigh support than most. Slide it all the way back, and legroom is plentiful (if still not as plentiful as in the Kia). But combine the high cushion with the optional panoramic sunroof, and even though I'm only 5-9 my scalp nearly touched the headliner. Anyone who intends to carry people over 5-10 in the back seat best skip the sunroof. Without it the 500L has much more rear headroom. see full Fiat 500L review |
2015 Fiat 500L Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 160hp 1.4L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
This isn't a problem for me exactly, but I've noticed other reviewers have mentioned it. The front seats are firm and I've been told that the seat fabric in some of the other models can be a bit slick. It took me a few days to get fully accustomed to the seats and find the position that works best for me. I like the firmness because it gives extra support. It's certainly something you'll want to pay attention to when you test drive it. see full Fiat 500L review |