Model Year | 2011 | 2012 | |
Model | Ford Taurus | Nissan Altima | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 112.9 in | 109.3 in | 3.6 in |
Length | 202.9 in | 190.7 in | 12.2 in |
Width | 76.2 in | 70.7 in | 5.5 in |
Height | 60.7 in | 57.9 in | 2.8 in |
Curb Weight | 4015 lb. | 3180 lb. | 835 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 20.0 gal. | 20.0 gal. | 0 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 40.6 in | -1.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.9 in | 55.7 in | 2.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 56.3 in | 56.8 in | -0.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.9 in | 44.1 in | -2.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 36.8 in | 1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.9 in | 55.5 in | 1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 55.8 in | 52.5 in | 3.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.1 in | 35.8 in | 2.3 in |
Total Legroom | 80 in (over 2 rows) | 79.9 in (over 2 rows) | 0.1 in |
Cargo Volume | 20.1 ft3 | 15.3 ft3 | 4.8 ft3 |
2011 Ford Taurus Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Three adult room in the back seat - comfortably! see full Ford Taurus review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 365hp 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The front and rear seats are very comfortable. The back can be cramped with three passengers. The SL has heated front and rear seats which works great and are needed as the car heater is very slow to initially get warm. The heated steering wheel is also a nice touch. The seat fabric is soft but the light color might not wear well. see full Ford Taurus review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Leather appointed seats are like sitting in an easy chair. see full Ford Taurus review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 365hp 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Independently adjustable lumbar and cushion supports, individual front seat heaters, coolers and massagers for both the seat cushion and the back. Need I say more? see full Ford Taurus review |
2011 Ford Taurus Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 0 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The front seats are horrible- similar to airline seats, and no amount of adjusting or adding cushions helped. I'm 6'2 and my wife is 5'3.and neither of us could get comfortable. After 2 weeks, it was actually painful to drive this car. see full Ford Taurus review |
2012 | 0 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Not enough headroom for adults in the rear seat. Seat comfort is as poor as the front seats. see full Ford Taurus 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 |