Model Year | 2014 | 2010 | |
Model | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | Ford Focus | |
Engine | 2.5L I5 DOHC-4v 170 hp@5700 177 lb-ft@4250 |
2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 140 hp@6000 136 lb-ft@4250 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 4-speed automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 101.5 in | 102.9 in | -1.4 in |
Length | 165.4 in | 175.0 in | -9.6 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 66.7 in | 3.6 in |
Height | 58.3 in | 58.6 in | -0.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3025 lb. | 2645 lb. | 380 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 13.5 gal. | 1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.3 in | 39.2 in | 0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.7 in | 53.5 in | 1.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 50.4 in | -50.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 41.7 in | -0.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.5 in | 38.3 in | 0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 52.8 in | 53.7 in | -0.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 50.9 in | -50.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.5 in | 36.1 in | -0.6 in |
Total Legroom | 76.7 in (over 2 rows) | 77.8 in (over 2 rows) | -1.1 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.0 ft3 | 13.8 ft3 | 1.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 46.0 ft3 | 13.8 ft3 | 32.2 ft3 |
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.
2010 Ford Focus Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Head room was great and the seat adjusted vertically with an easy to use lever. see full Ford Focus review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
I am ranking the driver's seat high in comfort even though 10 minutes is not enough to be sure. The seat has a lot of adjustability, including height. It feels like sitting on a platform rather than a hammock. The seat felt supportive without being hard. I can imagine it would allow for long distance travel in comfort. see full Ford Focus review |
2009 | 2dr Coupe 143-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
2 door is easy to get in and out of. The leather seating option makes for a comfortable ride especially for such a small car. see full Ford Focus review |
2010 Ford Focus Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Like sitting on concrete. One minor positive was that the lumbar support was decent, but overall lacking in comfort. see full Ford Focus review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
It's tight in the back. Entry and egress are a bit cumbersome in particular for the feet. My shoe size is 9.5. see full Ford Focus review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Air conditioner doesn't cool car. see full Ford Focus review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
No rear armrest. Only one cupholder. see full Ford Focus review |
2009 | 2dr Coupe 143-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Limited space for larger passengers. see full Ford Focus review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Due to the lack of rear seat room, you must slide the front seats forward to prevent a child from kicking their feet on the back of the seats. Only a booster seat with the front seats forward will minimize this problem. see full Ford Focus review |