Model Year | 2014 | 2006 | |
Model | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | Ford Explorer | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 147 kW@5100 281 Nm@1700 |
4.6L V8 OHC-3v 218 kW@5750 407 Nm@3950 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 6-speed automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,578 mm | 2,888 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,201 mm | 4,912 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,786 mm | 1,872 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,481 mm | 1,849 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,402 kg | 2,055 kg | -1 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 55 L | 85 L | -30 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 998 mm | 1,011 mm | 997 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,389 mm | 1,499 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0 mm | 1,407 mm | -1 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,046 mm | 1,077 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 978 mm | 983 mm | -5 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,341 mm | 1,496 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0 mm | 1,410 mm | -1 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 902 mm | 937 mm | -35 mm |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0 mm | 950 mm | -950 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0 mm | 1,349 mm | -1 mm |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0 mm | 1,151 mm | -1 mm |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0 mm | 886 mm | -886 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,948 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,901 mm (over 3 rows) | -1 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 425 L | 385 L | 40 L |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 15.0 | 1,243 L | 14 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 1,303 L | 2,370 L | -1 L |
2014 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 |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 Volkswagen Golf / GTI.
2006 Ford Explorer Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2006 | 4dr SUV 292-horsepower 4.6L V8 6-speed automatic 4WD w/low range |
Have driven from Maryland to Florida and back a couple of times, as well as 3-4 hours trips routinely. Seats are comfortable with no backache and don't have to stop every couple of hours due to fatigue. Could drive and be comfortable all day long. see full Ford Explorer review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range |
Lots of room. Great even in the 3rd rear bench see full Ford Explorer review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 210-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD |
Plenty of leg room see full Ford Explorer review |