Model Year | 2014 | 2008 | |
Model | Kia Soul | Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 101.2 in | 101.5 in | -0.3 in |
Length | 163.0 in | 165.8 in | -2.8 in |
Width | 70.9 in | 68.3 in | 2.6 in |
Height | 63.0 in | 58.4 in | 4.6 in |
Curb Weight | 2714 lb. | 3071 lb. | -357 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.2 gal. | 14.5 gal. | -0.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.6 in | 39.3 in | 0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.5 in | 54.7 in | 0.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.2 in | 0.0 in | 53.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 40.9 in | 41.2 in | -0.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.5 in | 38.5 in | 1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.7 in | 54.6 in | 0.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 49.3 in | 0.0 in | 49.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 39.1 in | 35.3 in | 3.8 in |
Total Legroom | 80 in (over 2 rows) | 76.5 in (over 2 rows) | 3.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 24.2 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | 9.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 61.3 ft3 | 41.8 ft3 | 19.5 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 |
2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD |
Plenty of shoulder/elbow/head room. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2009 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD |
Adequate for 2 adults to sit comfortably. High roof, adequate legroom. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2009 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Quite possibly the most comfortable front seats I have ever sat in. It is as if they were pulled straight from an Audi and placed in the GTI. An added bonus is the heated cloth, which is unusual because usually you need to option cold leather for heat. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Front seats are extremely supportive and even heated with the Interlagos cloth option see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Plenty of space, good lumbar support, nice side bolstering. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
well bolstered, firm, both driver and passenger seats have height and lumbar adjust see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
Fits me perfectly, all controls ideal for me. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
With the 4 door GTI I can drive 4 full size adults around in comfort. Easy ingress-egress. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD |
With only one car, I needed a sporty car with legitimate rear seat room and an automatic for the other users. I have had 2 6ft passengers in the back seat without complaint. The cushion could use a little more height/angle to aid in leg support. Nitpickin see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The front seats offer great lateral support. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
It works fine for me, but if you have adults that use the rear seat often they may find it a little uncomfortable for long trips. The legroom is decent, but the seats are a bit hard and not all that ergonomic. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Great for my kids (4 and 7) but small for adults. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review |