Model Year | 2012 | 2013 | |
Model | Chevrolet Sonic | Kia Forte | |
Engine | 1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 138 hp@6300 125 lb-ft@3800 |
2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 156 hp@6200 144 lb-ft@4300 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 99.4 in | 104.3 in | -4.9 in |
Length | 173.1 in | 178.3 in | -5.2 in |
Width | 68.3 in | 69.9 in | -1.6 in |
Height | 59.7 in | 57.5 in | 2.2 in |
Curb Weight | 2727 lb. | 2791 lb. | -64 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 12.2 gal. | 13.7 gal. | -1.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.7 in | 40.0 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 53.4 in | 55.7 in | -2.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 51.4 in | 53.0 in | -1.6 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.8 in | 43.3 in | -1.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 37.8 in | 0 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.0 in | 54.7 in | -1.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 51.6 in | 53.3 in | -1.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 35.0 in | -0.4 in |
Total Legroom | 76.4 in (over 2 rows) | 78.3 in (over 2 rows) | -1.9 in |
Cargo Volume | 14.0 ft3 | 14.7 ft3 | -0.7 ft3 |
2012 Chevrolet Sonic Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
For a little car, the front seat room is very nice for the average person. see full Chevrolet Sonic review |
2012 Chevrolet Sonic Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The front seating position is cramped, but even worse is the footroom !!!! I have the 6 speed manual transmission and the clutch pedal feels like it was an afterthought. The wheel well intrudest so much that is difficult to engage the clutch without my foot being moved inward due to the lack of room. I have a mens 9 shoe so it is not because I have huge feet. My leg hits the center console while using the gas pedalso far to the right. IT IS SO BAD I TOOK THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECE AT THE GAS PEDAL OFF TO HAVE MORE ROOM !!! I have a friend in England he told me it was not as much of a problem due to the placenet of the pedals in the right hand drive models. It also makes sense this car sells more in right hand driving counties, the radio control are on the right hand side of the steering wheel. This is a stupid position considering having to change gears with the right hand. I am not a small guy, but I am not huge. I am 240 at 5"9'. with a passenger of similar size I feel very cramped. I had a buddy with me, He is a mountain of a man at 6'3" and having very broad shoulders like my self. It was a scream! We were smashed together. I had to work hard to change gears. The car is about 3" to narrow. I previously owned a Nissan Versa. It was considered a narrow car but we never had this problem. It was so cramped if it was a much longer ride, I would have had him get in the back seat. CRAMPED IN THE FRONT TO THE EXTREME DEGREE !!!!!!!! see full Chevrolet Sonic review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
THE SEATS ARE LIKE MIDIEVAL TORTURE DEVICES !!! I am not a huge guy. I have am 5'9" tall with a 40" waist. I have a wide stance. I did take a long test drive in this car. I noticed that the seats were not terribly comfortable but I had run into that with several cars. The seats got better as the broke in. THESE GOT WORSE !!!! It got so bad that I had themreupholstered!!!!! It helped very little !!!! They are too narrow, overbolstered....poorly padded....no lumbar support...the armrest is usless (it sits too low and angled down)....If i could trade it in tomorrow it would be gone. I drive 4 hours a week at a mininimum to school round trip. the next day I am sore. I am going in for time 2 to see if I can FIX the seat comfort.....ARGG see full Chevrolet Sonic review |
2013 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | People who need a roomy rear seat don't often buy coupes. So with the Civic Si the coupe is an inch and a half shorter (in both height and length) than the sedan, which translates to nearly three inches less headroom and nearly five inches less legroom in back, making it a very tight fit for even modestly sized adults. Those who do want a roomy rear seat in their coupe will be much happier with the Forte. Compared to the sedan, Kia shaved the Koup's roofline an inch but kept the wheelbase the same. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I had about an inch of clearance over my head and a hand's-width ahead of my knees. Switch to the four-door body styles, and both cars are about equally roomy in back. But only Forte rear seat passengers enjoy rear air vents--in every body style. see full Kia Forte review |
2013 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
One of the best of his kind. Almost unbeatable for a car of this price. see full Kia Forte review |