Model Year | 2017 | 2006 | |
Model | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | Mazda RX-8 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 2dr Hatch | 4dr Coupe | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.8 in | 106.4 in | -2.6 in |
Length | 167.5 in | 174.3 in | -6.8 in |
Width | 70.5 in | 69.7 in | 0.8 in |
Height | 57.2 in | 52.8 in | 4.4 in |
Curb Weight | 2901 lb. | 3045 lb. | -144 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 15.9 gal. | -2.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.4 in | 38.2 in | 0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 54.8 in | 1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 53.3 in | -53.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 42.7 in | -1.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.1 in | 36.8 in | 1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 54.9 in | -1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 48.1 in | -48.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.6 in | 32.2 in | 3.4 in |
Total Legroom | 76.8 in (over 2 rows) | 74.9 in (over 2 rows) | 1.9 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 22.8 ft3 | 7.6 ft3 | 15.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 52.7 ft3 | 7.6 ft3 | 45.1 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 |
2006 Mazda RX-8 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Excellent for long trips. Even though I suffer from spinal stenosis, I did a two-day 1800 mile trip with no troubles and felt great on arrival. Most modern cars have comfortable seats, but these also make me feel like I am part of the car. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2006 | 4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
Rear seats are functional for adults, which is unique for a sports car. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2005 | 4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
Adults my height (5-9) can actually fit in the back seat of the RX-8. And getting in and out is aided by a second set of rear-hinged doors. Other sports cars have no rear seat or a very small one. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2005 | 4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
Unlike most sports cars, the RX-8 has a rear seat that adults can get into (using rear doors) and fit into. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2006 Mazda RX-8 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2005 | 4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
Head room is low with sunroof see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2005 | 4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
Ok for small women and children. Not really made for full sized male adults see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2005 | 4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
it is POSSIBLE to fit an adult in the back...but really anyone over 10-12 years old will be uncomfortable. see full Mazda RX-8 review |