Model Year | 2017 | 2011 | |
Model | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | Mini Hardtop | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 2dr Hatch | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.8 in | 97.1 in | 6.7 in |
Length | 167.5 in | 145.6 in | 21.9 in |
Width | 70.5 in | 66.3 in | 4.2 in |
Height | 57.2 in | 55.4 in | 1.8 in |
Curb Weight | 2901 lb. | 2546 lb. | 355 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 10.6 gal. | 2.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.4 in | 38.8 in | -0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 50.3 in | 5.6 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 41.4 in | -0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.1 in | 37.6 in | 0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 44.7 in | 9.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.6 in | 29.9 in | 5.7 in |
Total Legroom | 76.8 in (over 2 rows) | 71.3 in (over 2 rows) | 5.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 22.8 ft3 | 5.7 ft3 | 17.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 52.7 ft3 | 24.0 ft3 | 28.7 ft3 |
2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | As I've noted before (when reviewing the e-Golf), the seventh-generation Golf's front seats are shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The CX-5's driver seat also fit me well, but not quite as well as the Volkswagen's. Compared to other compact hatchbacks and its ancestors, the current Golf has a roomy rear seat. I can sit behind my 5-9 self with about five inches of air ahead of my knees. Unless unusually tall people populate both rows, the amount of space should be beyond adequate. Compare the Golf SportWagen's rear seat to that in the CX-5, and a funny thing happens. On paper, the Mazda provides about 3.5 more inches of legroom. When sitting behind myself in both vehicles, though, I had about half as much space ahead of my knees in the CX-5. I've noticed in the past that VW measures rear legroom very conservatively, and apparently they continue to do so. The Golf's interior is roomier than the official specs suggest. Plus its rear seat passengers get air vents. The Mazda's do not. This said, I'm not entirely comfortable in the Golf SportWagen's rear seat. To me it feels overly reclined. In neither the GSW nor the CX-5 is the degree of recline adjustable. It is in some compact crossovers. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2017 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 |
2011 Mini Hardtop Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 2dr Hatch 121-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Rear seat room is extremely limited but it's a Mini...not a mini van! see full Mini Hardtop review |
2012 | 2dr Hatch 121-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
We're tall and have room to spare. see full Mini Hardtop review |
2011 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 181hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Small children, petite women and Hobbits may sit in the back on short trips. Otherwise, forget it. It's a MINI! see full Mini Hardtop review |