Model Year | 2008 | 2017 | |
Model | Mazda RX-8 | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | |
Engine | 1.3L R2 OHV-2v 173 kW@8500 216 Nm@5500 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 215 kW@5400 380 Nm@1800 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | RWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Coupe | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,703 mm | 2,637 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,427 mm | 4,255 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,770 mm | 1,791 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,341 mm | 1,453 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,381 kg | 1,487 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 60 L | 50 L | 10 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 970 mm | 975 mm | -5 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,392 mm | 1,420 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,354 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,085 mm | 1,046 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 935 mm | 968 mm | -33 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,394 mm | 1,369 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,222 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 818 mm | 904 mm | -86 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,902 mm (over 2 rows) | 1,951 mm (over 2 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 215 L | 646 L | -431 L |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 7.6 | 1,492 L | 6.6 |
2008 Mazda RX-8 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
Very comfortable Recaro seats, even on long drives. Larger people may not be comfortable so beware. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2009 | 4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
Given the RX-8's compact dimensions, you wouldn't expect rear seat space to be a strength. But thanks to clever packaging and a subtly high roofline, there is actually space for real adults in back, provided those up front are short or move their seats up somewhat. With a pair of pickup-like rear-opening "half" rear doors, ingress and egress for rear seat passengers is a snap. For those who want a sports car but have children or need to transport a few friends occassionally, the RX-8 fits the bill nicely. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2007 | 4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Excellent for long trips. Even though I suffer from spinal stenosis, I did a two-day 1800 mile trip with no troubles and felt great on arrival. Most modern cars have comfortable seats, but these also make me feel like I am part of the car. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
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 |