Model Year | 2012 | 2007 | |
Model | Chevrolet Sonic | Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI | |
Engine | 1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 138 hp@6300 125 lb-ft@3800 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5500 207 lb-ft@1800 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed manual | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 99.4 in | 101.5 in | -2.1 in |
Length | 173.1 in | 179.3 in | -6.2 in |
Width | 68.3 in | 70.1 in | -1.8 in |
Height | 59.7 in | 57.4 in | 2.3 in |
Curb Weight | 2727 lb. | 3352 lb. | -625 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 12.2 gal. | 14.5 gal. | -2.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.7 in | 38.5 in | 0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 53.4 in | 54.8 in | -1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 51.4 in | 0.0 in | 51.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.8 in | 41.2 in | 0.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 37.2 in | 0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.0 in | 53.1 in | -0.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 51.6 in | 0.0 in | 51.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 35.4 in | -0.8 in |
Total Legroom | 76.4 in (over 2 rows) | 76.6 in (over 2 rows) | -0.2 in |
Cargo Volume | 14.0 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | -2 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 |
2007 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Plenty of space, good lumbar support, nice side bolstering. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
With only one car, I needed a sporty car with legitimate rear seat room and an automatic for the other users. I have had 2 6ft passengers in the back seat without complaint. The cushion could use a little more height/angle to aid in leg support. Nitpickin see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
well bolstered, firm, both driver and passenger seats have height and lumbar adjust see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
With the 4 door GTI I can drive 4 full size adults around in comfort. Easy ingress-egress. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
Fits me perfectly, all controls ideal for me. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
most comfortable seats out of the Totoya Matrix, Mazda 3, Honda fit, Nissan Versa see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Excellent seats and comfort, however occasionally find the seats a bit narrow and the foot well can be tight in some shoes. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The sport seats in the basic black leatherette are nicely bolstered though not overly enveloping like seats in my FR-S. This means it hits a nice middle ground of comfort but still keeping you from being thrown around in aggressive driving. The manually adjusted seats are easily positioned to a comfortable state after you figure out which of the 4 levers is doing what. The adjustible thigh support is especially nice and not something I often see in this segment. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The front seats offer great lateral support. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Zero fatigue on long drives, natural driving position see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
It works fine for me, but if you have adults that use the rear seat often they may find it a little uncomfortable for long trips. The legroom is decent, but the seats are a bit hard and not all that ergonomic. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Great for my kids (4 and 7) but small for adults. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2006 | 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Seats could be firmer though adequate. It has no lumbar support and expended use probably will change the shape of the foam used in the seat. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |