TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI
2016 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.
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2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Honda Accord
2012 Honda Accord Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year
Comment
2013
Compared to any midsize sedan, the Accord Coupe's rear seat is tight and difficult to get into and out of. At 5-9 I can sit behind myself, but with only an inch between my scalp and the rear window and about the same between my knees and the front seat back. The rear seat is only in the "whys" here because it's being compared to the rear seats in other coupes, including the Hyundai's, and these are even tighter.
Same story with cargo capacity. The Accord Coupe's 13.7 cubic-foot trunk would be marginally competitive in a midsize sedan, but it compares very well to those in other coupes. The Genesis Coupe checks in at 10.0.
see full Honda Accord review
What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Honda Accord
2012 Honda Accord Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year
Body/Powertrain
Comment
2011
4dr Sedan 190-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
Another reason I'm glad I got the EX model. The power lumbar on the drivers seat is my backs best friend. Even after 16 hour days and 1100 miles, my back is fine. Excellent seats!
see full Honda Accord review
2011
4dr Sedan 177-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed automatic FWD
6'4" and plenty of head and leg room. Leather seats and lumbar support fit me well.
see full Honda Accord review
2012 Honda Accord Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year
Body/Powertrain
Comment
2013
4dr Sedan 278-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD
Many reviews online state how comforable the seats are in the Accord, I cannot agree with them. I have owned a 2013 Altima as well and it is much more comfortable, but that car has a stability problem on the highway.
see full Honda Accord review
2013
4dr Sedan 185-horsepower 2.4L I4 CVT FWD
Front headrests are inclined too far forward, making the seats very uncomfortable for shorter drivers. Drivers taller than 6'3" won't have a problem. But as a shorter driver, the uncomfortable seats have caused extreme upper back pain.
see full Honda Accord review