Model Year | 2014 | 2013 | |
Model | Kia Soul | Mazda CX-5 | |
Engine | 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 164 hp@6200 151 lb-ft@4000 |
2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 184 hp@5700 185 lb-ft@3250 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 101.2 in | 106.3 in | -5.1 in |
Length | 163.0 in | 178.7 in | -15.7 in |
Width | 70.9 in | 72.4 in | -1.5 in |
Height | 63.0 in | 65.7 in | -2.7 in |
Curb Weight | 2879 lb. | 3375 lb. | -496 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.2 gal. | 14.8 gal. | -0.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.6 in | 40.1 in | -0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.5 in | 57.5 in | -2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.2 in | 55.2 in | -2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 40.9 in | 41.0 in | -0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.5 in | 39.0 in | 0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.7 in | 55.5 in | -0.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 49.3 in | 53.7 in | -4.4 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 39.1 in | 39.3 in | -0.2 in |
Total Legroom | 80 in (over 2 rows) | 80.3 in (over 2 rows) | -0.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 24.2 ft3 | 34.1 ft3 | -9.9 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 61.3 ft3 | 64.8 ft3 | -3.5 ft3 |
2014 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2015 | Volkswagen managed to package the e-Golf's 24-kWh battery pack so well that neither passenger nor cargo room is reduced. Kia didn't do as well with its 27-kWh pack, and the Soul EV has three fewer inches of rear legroom than the regular Soul as a result. Still, this leaves it with about as much rear legroom as the e-Golf, and more than you'll find in other compact EVs. If you want a compact EV with an adult-friendly back seat, these are the ones to get. Rear seat passengers don't get rear air vents in the Soul EV, but they can get seat heaters. The e-Golf has the vents but doesn't offer back row bun warmers. see full Kia Soul review |
2014 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 0 | Excellent room both up front and in the backseat for tall people. Same as previous model see full Kia Soul review |
2014 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 0 | The front seat is every bit as uncomfortable as the previous model. No improvement here. A tall person will be more comfortable sitting in the rear seat. see full Kia Soul review |
2013 Mazda CX-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | There's plenty of legroom in the rear seat, but the same can be said of most compact crossovers. Based on the official specs the Mazda has 4.4 inches more total legroom than a VW Tiguan, but to me the Tiguan's rear seat seemed slightly roomier and more comfortable owing to a higher position. The rear seat reclines in the VW and some other compact crossovers, but not in the Mazda. The Escape's rear seat is considerably less spacious than the others. Adults will fit, but with less knee room to spare. see full Mazda CX-5 review |
2013 Mazda CX-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | There's no clear winner in rear seat room and comfort, either. The Mazda's rear seat is mounted a little lower than the Toyota's, and when sitting in it my knees are considerably closer (if still not close) to the front seat backs. Also, the Toyota's rear seat reclines, while the Mazda's does not. Neither car has air vents in the rear passenger compartment, but the RAV4 has a large vent high on the instrument panel apparently intended to push cool air into the rear seat via the ceiling. To counter these RAV4 advantages, the CX-5 offers about five inches more rear hip room. So three passengers will fit more comfortably. see full Mazda CX-5 review |
2013 Mazda CX-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr SUV 184-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
While recently shopping for a new car for the first time in over 10 years, I found that driver's seats are now made with high sides. For me, a 5'1" female driver, this makes it a bit awkward getting in and out. Combined with the higher ground clearance of a compact SUV, it's not the ideal setup. The Mazda CX-5 is not as bad as others, but it's still an issue. see full Mazda CX-5 review |
2013 | 4dr SUV 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Could use some more support on the front of the seats, the back seems to fully support me. see full Mazda CX-5 review |
2013 | 4dr SUV 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The rear seat is roomy enough for an average or above average adult, but the seats themselves could be better-- perhaps more sculpted and padded. Not nearly as comfortable as the front seats after an hour or two. I'm sure, however, that this is a common complaint on other smaller SUVs too, having tried them out at dealers, so it's not unique to Mazda. Again, a modest complaint since I'm in the driver's seat most of the time! (which is VERY comfortable, I might add, even for long drives!) see full Mazda CX-5 review |