Model Year | 2008 | 2015 | |
Model | Lexus ES | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 272 hp@6200 254 lb-ft@4700 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 292 hp@5400 280 lb-ft@1800 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 103.8 in | 5.5 in |
Length | 191.1 in | 167.5 in | 23.6 in |
Width | 71.1 in | 70.8 in | 0.3 in |
Height | 57.1 in | 57.2 in | -0.1 in |
Curb Weight | 3580 lb. | 3340 lb. | 240 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 5.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 37.4 in | 38.4 in | -1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.3 in | 55.9 in | 1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 0.0 in | 55.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 41.2 in | 1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 38.1 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.3 in | 53.9 in | 2.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.8 in | 0.0 in | 52.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.9 in | 35.6 in | 0.3 in |
Total Legroom | 78.1 in (over 2 rows) | 76.8 in (over 2 rows) | 1.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 14.7 ft3 | 22.8 ft3 | -8.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 14.7 ft3 | 52.7 ft3 | -38 ft3 |
2008 Lexus ES Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Similar to the front seats, super comfortable and soft. A lot of leg room with an average-sized driver + passenger up front. Rear moonroof gives off the feel of a huge ceiling. see full Lexus ES review |
2008 Lexus ES Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
the seams in a seat should run front to rear vs. left to right this would make the seat more comfortable. the Toyota Camry leather seats are definitely more comparable... I think Lexis wanted a sportier looking seat but sacrificed comfort in doing see full Lexus ES review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
There is simply not enough legroom and three passengers will probably feel very cramped in the back as well. see full Lexus ES review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Had a ton of trouble with front seat comfort - had to trade it in after only 4 mos. Even my daughter's Sonata was more comfortable. Did everything i could to rectifiy - even had firmer cushions put into driver seat. Others have had the same issue. see full Lexus ES review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Most awful front seats i have ever experienced in 40 yrs of driving. I have done everything i can to make it comfortable. Even had extra firmer padding added to the driver seat. Pain in my leg and lower back is unbearable - check forums for Lexus owners - seems to be a problem with taller men and even some women. Never ever had a problem like this in any car i have had or driven. Strange issue. see full Lexus ES review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 272-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
If tall person sits in front seat, rear seat will not have a lot of legroom. Otherwise, very comfortable. Poor interior lighting in rear (front is bad, too, but slightly better). see full Lexus ES review |
2015 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2015 | The original Golf revolutionized the automotive world by demonstrating how practical a small car could be. Though the latest, seventh-generation Golf is much larger than the original, and every major auto maker now offers a Golf-like compact, the Volkswagen continues to impress with its practicality. Let's start with the front seat. The seat itself is shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The performance buckets in the GTI and R have firmer bolsters that provide more lateral support, but the regular Golf's buckets are cushier and more comfortably contoured. The e-Golf uses the same exemplary seats. In comparison, the seats in the Soul EV are merely okay. The view forward from the e-Golf's driver seat is also about as good as it gets in a current compact, with a reasonably-sized instrument panel and an expansive, comfortably raked windshield flanked by relatively thin pillars. This said, some people might prefer the higher driving position in the quasi-crossover Soul EV. For me, a conventional car's lower position continues to feel more natural, especially in turns. Battery packs take up space. Even with the (roughly) 1.5-kWh battery packs used by hybrids cargo capacity usually takes a hit. In the Soul EV, rear seat legroom suffers a three-inch reduction due to the underfloor location of the car's 27-kWh battery pack. But VW engineers managed to design and package a 24-kWh battery pack so cleverly that the e-Golf's passenger and cargo room are identical to those of a regular Golf. Adults will comfortably fit in the car's back seat. The same can't be said about most other EVs--the Soul being a second exception. Even with the three-inch cut, the Kia's back seat is about as roomy as the Golf's. The i3's back seat is far tighter. Which EV treats its passengers best depends on the season. The e-Golf includes rear air vents, while the Soul EV+ includes rear seat bun warmers. Moving to the cargo area, the Soul EV's battery pack eats up a dozen cubic feet, leaving just under 50. The uncompromised e-Golf can contain a couple more. But these figures don't convey the differing proportions of the cars' cargo holds. The e-Golf's is a few inches longer, while the Soul EV's is a few inches taller. Which is the better cargo hauler depends on the shape of your cargo. The much larger Tesla Model S can hold a few more cubic feet, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class about the same as the e-Golf. No other EV comes close, especially not the 12-cube BMW i3. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2015 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2016 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Difficult ingress and egress see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |