It also feels as though the seat is lower to the floor than on the
Skylane. I feel like my feet are more out in front of me than in the
Skylane.

That (I believe) is where the perception of a smaller cockpit comes
from. The more laid-back "roadster" seating position of the Cherokee,
versus the "minivan" seating position of the Cessna, makes for a higher
center of gravity (so to speak) in the Skylane, pushing the window
sills down lower in relation to your line of sight. (It also helps
that the windows open right at your elbows.)

This is also why (to me) Cessnas felt like the roof was too low.
Turning in the pattern only accentuated that feeling, as the runway
alternately disappears and reappears... I always felt like I was
flying with my baseball hat brim pulled down too low over my eyes.

In truth, I think the cockpits are pretty comparable in size.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"