TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI
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
What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI
2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2010 Mazda RX-8
2010 Mazda RX-8 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year
Body/Powertrain
Comment
2009
4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD
Very comfortable Recaro seats, even on long drives. Larger people may not be comfortable so beware.
see full Mazda RX-8 review
2009
4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD
Given the RX-8's compact dimensions, you wouldn't expect rear seat space to be a strength. But thanks to clever packaging and a subtly high roofline, there is actually space for real adults in back, provided those up front are short or move their seats up somewhat.
With a pair of pickup-like rear-opening "half" rear doors, ingress and egress for rear seat passengers is a snap.
For those who want a sports car but have children or need to transport a few friends occassionally, the RX-8 fits the bill nicely.
see full Mazda RX-8 review
2010 Mazda RX-8 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year
Body/Powertrain
Comment
2010
4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD
The R3 Recaro seats had side bolsters that were a bit tight for us. I am below average in size as a male, and my wife is also very small and we found the bolsters cut into our hips far more than was comfortable. The seats are racing oriented only.
see full Mazda RX-8 review
