Model Year | 2008 | 2012 | |
Model | Ford Focus | Nissan Altima | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,614 mm | 2,776 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,445 mm | 4,844 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,694 mm | 1,796 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,488 mm | 1,471 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,190 kg | 1,442 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 51 L | 76 L | -25 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 996 mm | 1,031 mm | 995 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,359 mm | 1,415 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,280 mm | 1,443 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,059 mm | 1,120 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 973 mm | 935 mm | 38 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,364 mm | 1,410 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,293 mm | 1,334 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 917 mm | 909 mm | 8 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,976 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,029 mm (over 2 rows) | -1 mm |
Cargo Volume | 391 L | 433 L | -42 L |
2008 Ford Focus Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 2dr Coupe 143-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
2 door is easy to get in and out of. The leather seating option makes for a comfortable ride especially for such a small car. see full Ford Focus review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
The first-generation Focus has great seats -- cushy, well-bolstered, and high off the floor. see full Ford Focus review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
It was a pleasant surprise when we discovered how comfortable the front seats were for long road trips. They are contoured enough so I can lay the seat back, with a small pillow and take a nice long nap. This is probably highly subjective, but for us, the car seats have been just what we wanted. see full Ford Focus review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
The front seat has more room than one would expect. I have yet to encounter someone who has not fit inside comfortably, despite their size. Being over 6ft tall, I drive daily without feeling cramped or enclosed. see full Ford Focus review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Ample room. see full Ford Focus review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Lots of room for a big guy like me. see full Ford Focus review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Can drive for long distances without succuming to fatigue. see full Ford Focus review |
2008 Ford Focus Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 2dr Coupe 143-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Limited space for larger passengers. see full Ford Focus review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Due to the lack of rear seat room, you must slide the front seats forward to prevent a child from kicking their feet on the back of the seats. Only a booster seat with the front seats forward will minimize this problem. see full Ford Focus review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
No rear armrest. Only one cupholder. see full Ford Focus review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch 136-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Not the best, but ok for a 2 door hatch. see full Ford Focus review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 151-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Another two inches of legroom sure would be nice. see full Ford Focus review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 151-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Very average for its class. Not a place for grownups for long. see full Ford Focus review |
2012 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 |
2012 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 |
2012 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
2012 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 |