Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2015 Mazda Mazda3 Mazda Mazda3 2008

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Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2015) vs. Mazda Mazda3 (2008) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2015 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2008 Mazda Mazda3 specs.

2015 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2008 Mazda Mazda3 Specifications

Model Year 2015 2008  
Model Volkswagen Golf / GTI Mazda Mazda3  
Engine turbocharged
2.0L I4
DOHC-4v
292 hp@5400
280 lb-ft@1800
turbocharged
2.3L I4
DOHC-4v
263 hp@5500
280 lb-ft@3000
 
Transmission 6-speed automated manual 6-speed manual  
Drivetrain AWD FWD  
Body 4dr Hatch 4dr Hatch  
      Difference
Wheelbase 103.8 in 103.9 in -0.1 in
Length 167.5 in 176.6 in -9.1 in
Width 70.8 in 69.1 in 1.7 in
Height 57.2 in 57.7 in -0.5 in
Curb Weight 3340 lb. 3041 lb. 299 lb.
Fuel Capacity 13.2 gal. 14.5 gal. -1.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.4 in 39.1 in -0.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 55.9 in 54.9 in 1 in
Hip Room, Row 1 0.0 in 54.9 in -54.9 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.2 in 41.9 in -0.7 in
Headroom, Row 2 38.1 in 38.4 in -0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 53.9 in 54.0 in -0.1 in
Hip Room, Row 2 0.0 in 53.9 in -53.9 in
Legroom, Row 2 35.6 in 36.3 in -0.7 in
Total Legroom 76.8 in (over 2 rows) 78.2 in (over 2 rows) -1.4 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 22.8 ft3 17.1 ft3 5.7 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 52.7 ft3 43.8 ft3 8.9 ft3

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2015 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearComment
2015 The original Golf revolutionized the automotive world by demonstrating how practical a small car could be. Though the latest, seventh-generation Golf is much larger than the original, and every major auto maker now offers a Golf-like compact, the Volkswagen continues to impress with its practicality. Let's start with the front seat. The seat itself is shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The performance buckets in the GTI and R have firmer bolsters that provide more lateral support, but the regular Golf's buckets are cushier and more comfortably contoured. The e-Golf uses the same exemplary seats. In comparison, the seats in the Soul EV are merely okay. The view forward from the e-Golf's driver seat is also about as good as it gets in a current compact, with a reasonably-sized instrument panel and an expansive, comfortably raked windshield flanked by relatively thin pillars. This said, some people might prefer the higher driving position in the quasi-crossover Soul EV. For me, a conventional car's lower position continues to feel more natural, especially in turns. Battery packs take up space. Even with the (roughly) 1.5-kWh battery packs used by hybrids cargo capacity usually takes a hit. In the Soul EV, rear seat legroom suffers a three-inch reduction due to the underfloor location of the car's 27-kWh battery pack. But VW engineers managed to design and package a 24-kWh battery pack so cleverly that the e-Golf's passenger and cargo room are identical to those of a regular Golf. Adults will comfortably fit in the car's back seat. The same can't be said about most other EVs--the Soul being a second exception. Even with the three-inch cut, the Kia's back seat is about as roomy as the Golf's. The i3's back seat is far tighter. Which EV treats its passengers best depends on the season. The e-Golf includes rear air vents, while the Soul EV+ includes rear seat bun warmers. Moving to the cargo area, the Soul EV's battery pack eats up a dozen cubic feet, leaving just under 50. The uncompromised e-Golf can contain a couple more. But these figures don't convey the differing proportions of the cars' cargo holds. The e-Golf's is a few inches longer, while the Soul EV's is a few inches taller. Which is the better cargo hauler depends on the shape of your cargo. The much larger Tesla Model S can hold a few more cubic feet, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class about the same as the e-Golf. No other EV comes close, especially not the 12-cube BMW i3. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2015 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Difficult ingress and egress see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Mazda Mazda3

2008 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Kids easily able to get in/out of back (4-doors) and often able to take co-workers to lunch (both of which is much more of a hassle with 2-doors). see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Lots of leg room even with the seat all the way back see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Very sporty seats, excellent lumber support. Seats will ensure that you stay where you are supposed to be, even in tight cornering. After a straight 12hr trip, the seat still feels comfortable. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Lots of leg space & head room, and seat adjustments possible. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2008 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Not enough comfort-room for my son (which meant that the Mazda failed the test). see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4
6-speed manual FWD
good for a small child, but i would not want to ride back there for long see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Too cramped for an adult see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Tight and uncomfortable as are most other cars in this class. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Well, when the front seats are back, there is little leg room in the back seat -- to be expected in a compact. But, the rear seats are very comfortable and can handle a wider person. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
This IS a smaller car. That being said, if the front seats are all the way back, people in the back had better sit Indian-style on the seats. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4
4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The Mazda 3 has very limited footroom except when the driver is of very small stature.it helps somewhat if you puchsae the model with the height adjustable seat.seat fabric on the none leather models goes bally,and becomes difficult to clean!! see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Rear seats are really small and tight legroom. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
 
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