TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Honda Accord
2017 Honda Accord Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year
Comment
2018
Back in the day, Hondas weren't roomy by any absolute yardstick, but were surprisingly capacious considering their small exterior dimensions. Honda knew how to make the most of a small package.
The Accord grew dramatically over the years. The second-generation 1982 sedan that put the model on the map (literally, they were everywhere) was 173.6 inches long and 65.0 inches wide, on a 96.5-inch wheelbase. The eighth-generation 2008 Accord was over 20 inches longer and 7.7 inches wider, on a 110.2-inch wheelbase.
For the ninth-generation Accord, Honda regained enough of its former space efficiency skills to maintain interior space while slightly shrinking the car's exterior. For the tenth-generation car, they've pulled off a magic trick. Even though the new Accord is 0.3 inches less lengthy, Honda managed to increase total legroom by 1.7 inches. A two-inch wheelbase stretch contributed; to reduce overall length Honda trimmed the car's overhangs. Rear seat passengers now enjoy over 40 inches of rear legroom, a dramatic 2.4 inches more than in the Camry. They will feel like they're in a limo.
What's the catch? Well, those rear seat occupants best not have tall torsos. The lower (by six-tenths of an inch), sleeker roof line cuts into rear headroom. The Camry provides another 0.7 inches for the heads of rear passengers. This might not sound like much until you have a rear seat passenger a bit over six feet in height. Also, Honda only managed as much rear headroom as it did by positioning the rear seat cushion somewhat low to the floor. Some--but not many--competitors have more comfortably positioned rear seat cushions.
I'll note here that the new Accord also has a larger trunk than last year's Accord, the Camry, and every other competitor--but most are within a cubic foot. I'd trade a cubic foot for the interior trunk handle they appear to have considered, then left off the car. Keep the car clean or you'll dirty a hand closing the lid.
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Honda Accord
2017 Honda Accord Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year
Body/Powertrain
Comment
2016
4dr Sedan 278-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD
There is not quite enough adjustment in the front seat for me. I feel there is an un-natural curve in the front seat that I can't remove with the lumbar support. I sit on a folded towel to get the curve of the seat in the right place for my back. I'm 5'11" if that puts it into perspective for you.
The steering wheel should telescope out more for optimal arm position and the orientation of the HUGE speedometer makes it get chopped in half by the steering wheel. No digital speedo readout on this model. Note that the touring gauges are a little different than the standard V6.
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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
2017 Chevrolet Cruze Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year
Comment
2016
The old Chevrolet Cruze, like the Ford Focus, had a rear seat on the tight side even by compact sedan standards. According to the specs, the new one has only gained a few tenths of legroom. But the improvement feels much larger. Chevrolet claims that rear knee room (not a standard spec) has increased by two inches, and this aligns much better with my perceptions.
Some competitors, including the Honda Civic, continue to offer more rear seat space. But the new Cruze's back seat could be the most comfortable in the class for two average-sized men. With a position well above the floor, the rear seat cushion provides much better thigh support than the typical sedan, much less the typical compact sedan. The Civic has a lower rear cushion and insufficient foot space under its front seats, squandering its on-paper legroom advantage.
Up front the Cruze has comfortable seats (though, like those in the Civic, without adjustable lumbar support) but shoulder room typical of a compact car. The Civic has two more inches of shoulder room and feels more like a midsize sedan in the front seat. Both cars have good driving positions with reasonably compact instrument panels.
In L and LS trim, the new Cruze has a 14.9-cubic-foot trunk, nearly identical to that of the new Civic and about as large as you'll find in the class. But the LT and Premier have a compact spare tire that reduces cargo volume to 13.6 cubic feet. Still pretty good.
Next year both cars will also be available as hatchbacks.
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
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