Model Year | 2019 | 2017 | |
Model | Lexus ES | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 302 hp@6600 267 lb-ft@4700 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 292 hp@5400 280 lb-ft@1800 |
|
Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 113.0 in | 103.8 in | 9.2 in |
Length | 195.9 in | 167.5 in | 28.4 in |
Width | 73.4 in | 70.8 in | 2.6 in |
Height | 56.9 in | 57.2 in | -0.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3649 lb. | 3340 lb. | 309 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 2.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 37.5 in | 38.4 in | -0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 55.9 in | 0 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 0.0 in | 55 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.4 in | 41.2 in | 1.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 38.1 in | -0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 53.9 in | 0.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 0.0 in | 54.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 39.2 in | 35.6 in | 3.6 in |
Total Legroom | 81.6 in (over 2 rows) | 76.8 in (over 2 rows) | 4.8 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.7 ft3 | 22.8 ft3 | -6.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.7 ft3 | 52.7 ft3 | -36 ft3 |
2019 Lexus ES Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2019 | From 2014 on Mazdas have had their front wheels located farther from the passenger compartment than the typical front-wheel-drive car. This opens up space for larger exhaust manifolds behind the engine, for improved performance and efficiency. It also gives the cars more attractive, rear-wheel-drive-like proportions. But it has a price: reduced rear legroom. The Lexus ES provides rear seat passengers with much more room to stretch their legs. Sitting in the rear seat, I can barely reach the front seatback with an outstretched arm. While the first few generations of the Lexus ES were related to the Toyota Camry, the 2013 and 2019 are related to the larger Toyota Avalon. This said, I should also note that the rear seat cushion is the Lexus is mounted somehwat low to the floor, so rear seat passengers also have more need to stretch out if they desire under-thigh support. The new Lexus ES is the sleekest and sportiest to date, and sporty rear roof line's also have a price. see full Lexus ES review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2019 Lexus ES.
2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | As I've noted before (when reviewing the e-Golf), the seventh-generation Golf's front seats are shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The CX-5's driver seat also fit me well, but not quite as well as the Volkswagen's. Compared to other compact hatchbacks and its ancestors, the current Golf has a roomy rear seat. I can sit behind my 5-9 self with about five inches of air ahead of my knees. Unless unusually tall people populate both rows, the amount of space should be beyond adequate. Compare the Golf SportWagen's rear seat to that in the CX-5, and a funny thing happens. On paper, the Mazda provides about 3.5 more inches of legroom. When sitting behind myself in both vehicles, though, I had about half as much space ahead of my knees in the CX-5. I've noticed in the past that VW measures rear legroom very conservatively, and apparently they continue to do so. The Golf's interior is roomier than the official specs suggest. Plus its rear seat passengers get air vents. The Mazda's do not. This said, I'm not entirely comfortable in the Golf SportWagen's rear seat. To me it feels overly reclined. In neither the GSW nor the CX-5 is the degree of recline adjustable. It is in some compact crossovers. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2017 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 |