Saturn ASTRA Saturn ASTRA 2009 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2012

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Saturn ASTRA (2009) vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2012) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2009 Saturn ASTRA and 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI specs.

2009 Saturn ASTRA and 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Specifications

Model Year 2009 2012  
Model Saturn ASTRA Volkswagen Golf / GTI  
Engine  
Transmission  
Drivetrain  
Body 4dr Hatch 4dr Hatch  
      Difference
Wheelbase 102.9 in 101.5 in 1.4 in
Length 170.5 in 165.4 in 5.1 in
Width 69.0 in 70.3 in -1.3 in
Height 57.4 in 58.3 in -0.9 in
Curb Weight 2921 lb. 2968 lb. -47 lb.
Fuel Capacity 12.2 gal. 14.5 gal. -2.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.9 in 39.3 in -0.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 53.9 in 54.7 in -0.8 in
Hip Room, Row 1 51.8 in 0.0 in 51.8 in
Legroom, Row 1 42.0 in 41.2 in 0.8 in
Headroom, Row 2 38.3 in 38.5 in -0.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 52.8 in 52.8 in 0 in
Hip Room, Row 2 51.4 in 0.0 in 51.4 in
Legroom, Row 2 35.3 in 35.5 in -0.2 in
Total Legroom 77.3 in (over 2 rows) 76.7 in (over 2 rows) 0.6 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 12.5 ft3 15.0 ft3 -2.5 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 44.8 ft3 46.0 ft3 -1.2 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2009 Saturn ASTRA

2009 Saturn ASTRA Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Tilt/telescopic steering and with 8 way adjustable drivers seat. I was able to find my near perfect driving position. Every automaker should make a drivers seat manual lumbar standard, then it would be perfect. see full Saturn ASTRA review
2009 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Being a 5 door hatch, there is plenty of room in the back for 2 full size adults or 3 children/teens. With the hatch, there is lots of room for bulky stuff. Like a Mini-SUV in cargo hauling. see full Saturn ASTRA review
2008 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
The European styled seats are great! Very supportive, but not too firm, and the seat back adjustment is exceptionally simple. see full Saturn ASTRA review
2008 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
Leather seats with lumbar is very comfortable. Lots of leg room, even for tall people. see full Saturn ASTRA review
2008 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
I run 6', 300# and this is one of the few smaller cars I can drive in reasonable comfort while taking the back roads. Nice lateral support and my back doesn't give me fits when I get out. see full Saturn ASTRA review
2008 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD

I have the cloth seats, which I had read didn't offer good back or thigh support. I find this to be very untrue even without adjustable lumbar support. I did switch out my stock steering wheel with a leather VXR wheel from Britain, which REALLY gave this car a premium feel. The stock seats support my back very well (6'2") and also find there to be just enough leg room with my seat almost all the way back, thigh support is a bit lacking, but for such a tiny car they really did a good job making it feel like a much bigger car. I also highly recommend buying and installing the Boomerang armrest and cup holder to maximize your Astra comfort.

see full Saturn ASTRA review
2008 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
at 6ft 1 in , has plenty of leg and head room. Comfortable to get in and out of see full Saturn ASTRA review
2008 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Seat fits just right. Plenty of adjustment range between seat and steering wheel. see full Saturn ASTRA review
2008 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Harder than most american seats. Very comfortable for long hauls. No need for armrest! see full Saturn ASTRA review
2009 Saturn ASTRA Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2008 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
Narrow seats and tough entry/exit due to low roofline. see full Saturn ASTRA review
2008 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
4-speed automatic FWD
See above. see full Saturn ASTRA review
2008 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4
5-speed manual FWD

My only concern about front seat room isn't about the seats at all, but that the peddles in the 5 speed are very small and very very close together, which for me with size 13 feet can create a problem. I have caught my feet together and accidently stomped on the break when trying to push in the clutch, which upsets everyone driving behind me, but provides a good laugh for me.

see full Saturn ASTRA review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Four adults can easily and comfortably fit in this car, with plenty of room for luggage. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
Seats actually fit your body and have proper bolstering, unlike most other seats in this price range which are more like shelves for oversized American behinds. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Good leg room and supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Good leg room for a small car. Supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
I have MS, so comfortable seats are a must. This is the only car that I've been in where I could do a non-stop trip from Michigan to Washington DC in. No fatigue, no stopping for a stretch. It's that good, and VW throws in standard heated seats for the GTI. And they do mean "heated" seats, not "warmed" seats, not "take-the-edge-off" seats. Turn them on full and your bum will be roasting with in a few minutes. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed automated manual FWD
Firm, supportive seats. Not too hard. Should be excellent for long road trips. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
2011 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
Firm, yet comfortable. Excellent lateral support in the turns. Excellent thigh support fro taller driver. Can sit for hours and still feel comfortable. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 
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