Model Year | 2008 | 2015 | |
Model | Saturn ASTRA | Kia Soul | |
Engine | 1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 138 hp@6300 125 lb-ft@3800 |
1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 130 hp@6300 118 lb-ft@4850 |
|
Transmission | 4-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 102.9 in | 101.2 in | 1.7 in |
Length | 170.5 in | 163.0 in | 7.5 in |
Width | 69.0 in | 70.9 in | -1.9 in |
Height | 57.4 in | 63.0 in | -5.6 in |
Curb Weight | 2921 lb. | 2789 lb. | 132 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 12.2 gal. | 14.2 gal. | -2 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.9 in | 39.6 in | -0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 53.9 in | 55.5 in | -1.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 51.8 in | 53.2 in | -1.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 40.9 in | 1.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.3 in | 39.5 in | -1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 52.8 in | 54.7 in | -1.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 51.4 in | 49.3 in | 2.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.3 in | 39.1 in | -3.8 in |
Total Legroom | 77.3 in (over 2 rows) | 80 in (over 2 rows) | -2.7 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 12.5 ft3 | 24.2 ft3 | -11.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 44.8 ft3 | 61.3 ft3 | -16.5 ft3 |
2008 Saturn ASTRA Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Tilt/telescopic steering and with 8 way adjustable drivers seat. I was able to find my near perfect driving position. Every automaker should make a drivers seat manual lumbar standard, then it would be perfect. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Being a 5 door hatch, there is plenty of room in the back for 2 full size adults or 3 children/teens. With the hatch, there is lots of room for bulky stuff. Like a Mini-SUV in cargo hauling. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The European styled seats are great! Very supportive, but not too firm, and the seat back adjustment is exceptionally simple. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Leather seats with lumbar is very comfortable. Lots of leg room, even for tall people. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I run 6', 300# and this is one of the few smaller cars I can drive in reasonable comfort while taking the back roads. Nice lateral support and my back doesn't give me fits when I get out. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I have the cloth seats, which I had read didn't offer good back or thigh support. I find this to be very untrue even without adjustable lumbar support. I did switch out my stock steering wheel with a leather VXR wheel from Britain, which REALLY gave this car a premium feel. The stock seats support my back very well (6'2") and also find there to be just enough leg room with my seat almost all the way back, thigh support is a bit lacking, but for such a tiny car they really did a good job making it feel like a much bigger car. I also highly recommend buying and installing the Boomerang armrest and cup holder to maximize your Astra comfort. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
at 6ft 1 in , has plenty of leg and head room. Comfortable to get in and out of see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Seat fits just right. Plenty of adjustment range between seat and steering wheel. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Harder than most american seats. Very comfortable for long hauls. No need for armrest! see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 Saturn ASTRA Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Narrow seats and tough entry/exit due to low roofline. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
See above. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
My only concern about front seat room isn't about the seats at all, but that the peddles in the 5 speed are very small and very very close together, which for me with size 13 feet can create a problem. I have caught my feet together and accidently stomped on the break when trying to push in the clutch, which upsets everyone driving behind me, but provides a good laugh for me. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2015 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2015 | Volkswagen managed to package the e-Golf's 24-kWh battery pack so well that neither passenger nor cargo room is reduced. Kia didn't do as well with its 27-kWh pack, and the Soul EV has three fewer inches of rear legroom than the regular Soul as a result. Still, this leaves it with about as much rear legroom as the e-Golf, and more than you'll find in other compact EVs. If you want a compact EV with an adult-friendly back seat, these are the ones to get. Rear seat passengers don't get rear air vents in the Soul EV, but they can get seat heaters. The e-Golf has the vents but doesn't offer back row bun warmers. see full Kia Soul review |
2015 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 0 | Excellent room both up front and in the backseat for tall people. Same as previous model see full Kia Soul review |
2015 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 0 | The front seat is every bit as uncomfortable as the previous model. No improvement here. A tall person will be more comfortable sitting in the rear seat. see full Kia Soul review |