Model Year | 2013 | 2012 | |
Model | Kia Forte | Volkswagen Jetta | |
Engine | 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 156 hp@6200 144 lb-ft@4300 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 104.4 in | -0.1 in |
Length | 178.3 in | 182.2 in | -3.9 in |
Width | 69.9 in | 70.0 in | -0.1 in |
Height | 57.5 in | 57.2 in | 0.3 in |
Curb Weight | 2729 lb. | 3157 lb. | -428 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 13.7 gal. | 14.5 gal. | -0.8 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.0 in | 38.2 in | 1.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.7 in | 55.2 in | 0.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 0.0 in | 53 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.3 in | 41.2 in | 2.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 37.1 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.7 in | 53.6 in | 1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.3 in | 0.0 in | 53.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.0 in | 38.1 in | -3.1 in |
Total Legroom | 78.3 in (over 2 rows) | 79.3 in (over 2 rows) | -1 in |
Cargo Volume | 14.7 ft3 | 15.5 ft3 | -0.8 ft3 |
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 |
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The Jetta is a little longer than the ILX (182 vs. 179 inches), and all of the additional inches appear to have gone into the rear seat. While the average adult will barely fit into the back seat of the Acura (those over 5-9 will be on close terms with the headliner), the Jetta has significantly more rear headroom and more rear legroom than the average midsize sedan, much less the average compact. If you like a roomy rear seat, you'll love the Jetta. Room is one thing, comfort another. The rear seat feels overly hard, and neither the cushion nor the backrest was set at a comfortable angle for me. Clearly some German engineer found these angles optimal, though. So maybe it's just me. see full Volkswagen Jetta review |
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
While the Jetta is extremely roomy and comfortable, the center console is slightly too close and can interfere with the driver's right knee and calf. see full Volkswagen Jetta review |