Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2016) vs. Kia Sorento (2011) Specs

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2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2011 Kia Sorento Specifications

Model Year	2016	2011
Model	Volkswagen Golf / GTI	Kia Sorento
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 292 hp@5400 280 lb-ft@1800	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 276 hp@6300 248 lb-ft@5000
Transmission	6-speed automated manual	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr Wagon	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.5 in	106.3 in	-2.8 in
Length	179.6 in	183.9 in	-4.3 in
Width	70.8 in	74.2 in	-3.4 in
Height	58.3 in	67.3 in	-9 in
Curb Weight	3440 lb.	3935 lb.	-495 lb.
Fuel Capacity	13.2 gal.	19.8 gal.	-6.6 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	38.6 in	39.2 in	-0.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.9 in	59.3 in	-3.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1	0.0 in	56.3 in	-56.3 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.2 in	41.3 in	-0.1 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.6 in	39.2 in	-0.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	53.9 in	58.7 in	-4.8 in
Hip Room, Row 2	0.0 in	55.9 in	-55.9 in
Legroom, Row 2	35.6 in	37.6 in	-2 in
Headroom, Row 3	0.0 in	36.7 in	-36.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	0.0 in	53.8 in	-53.8 in
Hip Room, Row 3	0.0 in	44.4 in	-44.4 in
Legroom, Row 3	0.0 in	31.3 in	-31.3 in
Total Legroom	76.8 in (over 2 rows)	110.2 in (over 3 rows)	-33.4 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	30.4 ft³	9.1 ft³	21.3 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	30.4	37.0 ft³	-6.6
Cargo Volume, Maximum	66.5 ft³	72.5 ft³	-6 ft³

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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. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2016 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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2011 Kia Sorento

2011 Kia Sorento Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr SUV 276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Very comfortable seats up front with tons of leg room. see full Kia Sorento review
2012	4dr SUV 276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The Kia Sorento had very good seating positions in the front for a very tall person, I'm almost 6'5" and was able to fit with the sunroof / panaramic roof. You get a feeling of control and confidence. You do loose about 1" or so with the see full Kia Sorento review
2011	4dr SUV 276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Need 7 passenger seating and the Sorento has delivered. Used 3rd row quite a few times with children AND adults. No complaints, although 3rd ride was usually no more than one hour. see full Kia Sorento review
2011	4dr SUV 276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The third seat was a major factor in our decision process. see full Kia Sorento review
2011	4dr SUV 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Good size second row seat. Plenty of room for adults and can fit three child car seats. see full Kia Sorento review

2011 Kia Sorento Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr SUV 276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Needs an adjustable second row and a little more cargo room when the third row seat is up. see full Kia Sorento review
2011	4dr SUV 276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	3rd row is tiny, and you are forced to get it, if you want the V-6 see full Kia Sorento review

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