Model Year | 2012 | 2013 | |
Model | Ford Fiesta | Nissan Altima | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 98.0 in | 109.3 in | -11.3 in |
Length | 173.6 in | 191.5 in | -17.9 in |
Width | 66.8 in | 72.0 in | -5.2 in |
Height | 58.0 in | 57.9 in | 0.1 in |
Curb Weight | 2578 lb. | 3108 lb. | -530 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 11.9 gal. | 18.0 gal. | -6.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.1 in | 40.0 in | -0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 52.7 in | 56.4 in | -3.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 50.6 in | 54.0 in | -3.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 45.0 in | -2.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.1 in | 37.1 in | 0 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 49.0 in | 56.4 in | -7.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 49.2 in | 52.1 in | -2.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 31.2 in | 36.1 in | -4.9 in |
Total Legroom | 73.4 in (over 2 rows) | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | -7.7 in |
Cargo Volume | 12.8 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | -2.6 ft3 |
2012 Ford Fiesta Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Narrow car with narrow seats. If you are a taller/bigger person, expect that the seats will feel like doll furniture after an hour. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2012 Ford Fiesta Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed automatic FWD |
I was told that it is comfortable for a short ride but after 45 minutes my passengers were complaining about lack of room and comfort. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed automatic FWD |
Smallish like all b-segment cars. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed automatic FWD |
Its cramped, but seems about the same as any other car in its size range. It was easier to get in and out of compared to a Mazda 2 and about the same as current generation Prius C. I wouldn't take anyone long distances in the rear, but I didn't expect to. We have a 2009 Prius which is our long distance carry people car. I wanted something with good handling and economy that was well built and that's what I got. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Rear seat narrow and limited headroom see full Ford Fiesta review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed automatic FWD |
while it felt my family of 5 comfortably, it might not fit others.... see full Ford Fiesta review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed automatic FWD |
Rear seat legroom is limited, especially if front seat passengers adjust their seats rearward. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Basically, it is a two seater. Car seats and small children will fit ok in the back. Essentially it is a great commuter car. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed automatic FWD |
rear seat leg room is tight. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed automatic FWD |
Very tiny. Had to squeeze in. Not very comfortable for long term. Feels a bit crowded. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2013 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | I'm already stuck. In just about every other way aside from fuel economy the Altima is a good, even very good car, yet an unremarkable one. Either this, or a strength must be qualified with a "but." The latter is the case with the front seats. Inspired by the "zero gravity" seats designed by NASA for ultra-long-distance travel, the Altima's buckets feel substantial and fit like a glove. BUT...also check the reasons not to buy an Altima. Move to the back seat, and Nissan's midsize sedan has a clearer advantage. The comfortably padded rear seat cushions in both the Altima and the Fushion provide good thigh support--those in many competitors do not. The Altima's rear seat isn't quite the roomiest, but it is roomier than the Fusion's. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The NASA-inspired driver's seat is very comfortable and supportive, BUT its headrest juts so far forward that I had to remove it and reinsert it turned around. This severely compromises safety, but otherwise the headrest presses very uncomfortably against the back of my head. For this reason I doubt I could own an Altima. The average person, with a less vertical neck, won't have this problem. Just be sure to pay attention to this during your test drive. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Superb see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Adequate see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
The seats are quite comfortable. They feel like they have memory foam in them. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
best seats... most comfortable! I wont go back to Honda. dang. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
I bought this car because of the front seat leg room. I'm 6' 5" tall with a 36" inseam. This is the first car I've ever owned that I fit in perfectly. The cloth bucket seats are very comfortable. Every control is in easy reach even though I have the seat as far back as it can go. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel is great. This is the first mid size sedan since I've owned. It has more interior room than a 1999 Buick LeSabre I owned 10 years ago. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
The seats are very comfortable, I would have been happy if both the driver and passenger were electronic. The lumbar support is fantastic and the driver seats is 8-way adjustable. For tall people this car will be a great ride. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Huge back seat for a sedan (legroom) and even three abreast is not that terrible. Big guys did not complain. see full Nissan Altima review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Roomy front seat room. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Kids in the back seat love the limoesque space. I do enjoy anchor locks and the well placed seat belts. There is definitely some intelligent design and practice into everything and anything in this car. see full Nissan Altima review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Very comfortable. see full Nissan Altima review |