Model Year | 2013 | 2015 | |
Model | Volkswagen Passat | Fiat 500L | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 102.8 in | 7.6 in |
Length | 191.6 in | 167.3 in | 24.3 in |
Width | 72.2 in | 69.8 in | 2.4 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 65.7 in | -7.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3166 lb. | 3203 lb. | -37 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 | 56.9 in | 57.3 in | -0.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 54.9 in | -54.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.4 in | 40.0 in | 2.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 38.7 in | -0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.0 in | 54.6 in | 2.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 49.4 in | -49.4 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 39.1 in | 36.7 in | 2.4 in |
Total Legroom | 81.5 in (over 2 rows) | 76.7 in (over 2 rows) | 4.8 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.9 ft3 | 22.4 ft3 | -6.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 15.9 ft3 | 68.0 ft3 | -52.1 ft3 |
2013 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2012 | Volkswagen's research must have found that Americans highly value rear legroom, because the Passat has an abundance of it. Unless you're an NBA center you'll have plenty of room to stretch out in the back of this sedan. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2013 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
SEL Premium seating is fantastic. Definitely worth the cost of the upgrade over the mid-grade seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
rear seat room is exceptional. can handle long-legged folks with ease and those with large shoe sizes. enter and exiting with larger folks not a problem either. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Older teenagers like the extra room see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
HUGE amount of rear legroom! see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tons of room while driving. I am 6'4" and have plenty of leg and headroom. 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 |