Don't you have to have the rear-facing seat for a while? It takes up more room doesn't it? I guess that's why you usually see Mom or Dad in the back seat behind the driver with the kid on the right and the front seat shoved all the way forward.
I just went out and measured both the Golf ('06) and my E300. When I move the passengers seat as far forward as I can tolerate (for a cross town drive), the Golf provides 28" of space between the base of the seat back and the back of the front seat. Surprisingly, the E300 - a much bigger car only offers 4 more inches at 32. However, the E300 "looks" like it has much more room.
Another thing to consider is that I would not use a 210 as a Winter car. You'd be asaulting the spring perches - a known weak spot, with salt all season long, then putting it away to rot for the summer.
On the filp side, if you'd entertain the idea of a truck, a Toyota Tundra is a very safe vehicle. The Doublecab version has tons of room in back with it's four full-sized doors. I'd even venture to say it's smoother and quieter than my E300...
My GF's 4wd version gets around 15 MPG in the city and about 18 on the highway.