Model Year | 2015 | 2006 | |
Model | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | Mazda Mazda5 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr Minivan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.5 in | 108.3 in | -4.8 in |
Length | 179.6 in | 181.5 in | -1.9 in |
Width | 70.8 in | 69.1 in | 1.7 in |
Height | 58.3 in | 64.2 in | -5.9 in |
Curb Weight | 3063 lb. | 3333 lb. | -270 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 15.9 gal. | -2.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.6 in | 40.7 in | -2.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 55.5 in | 0.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 52.9 in | -52.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 40.7 in | 0.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.6 in | 39.4 in | -0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 55.6 in | -1.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 58.3 in | -58.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.6 in | 35.2 in | 0.4 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 37.1 in | -37.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 49.2 in | -49.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 40.9 in | -40.9 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 30.7 in | -30.7 in |
Total Legroom | 76.8 in (over 2 rows) | 106.6 in (over 3 rows) | -29.8 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 30.4 ft3 | 11.3 ft3 | 19.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 30.4 | 44.4 ft3 | -14 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 66.5 ft3 | 70.9 ft3 | -4.4 ft3 |
2015 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 |
2015 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 |
2006 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Rear seats fit adults or kids in car seats adequately, especially for an economy car. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Great, height adjustable driver seat, with good lumbar support. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Second row seats have lots of room, can slide fore and aft, and can recline. The passenger seats up in a chair-like posture, with great support for thighs. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tons of rear seat room, and the second row seats can slide back/forth and recline. Third row is reserved for small children, however. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Can easily and comfortably seat six (6!) adults in a small package with storage space remaining. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
The rear doors are the sliding type, which is the most practical (and brilliant) type of rear doors for children. I also like the fact that the middle seats recline and slide, they have storage under the cushions, and a third row of usable seating! see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Very practical and roomy for the size of car. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Good driving position, everything to hand see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
six seats, what else can i say see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Flexible layout. Individual captains chairs in the middle row provides ample space. 3rd row is best left for kids under pre teens, but a short trip would be ok for adults. 2nd and 3rd rows seats can be folded down flat individually. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
With the seat all back, there is not much room for anyone over six feet tall. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tight fit once the front seats are slid back. Third row is useless if the second row is slid back. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |