Model Year | 2014 | 2013 | |
Model | Volkswagen Passat | Mazda Mazda3 | |
Engine | 3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 280 hp@6200 258 lb-ft@2500 |
turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 103.9 in | 6.5 in |
Length | 191.6 in | 180.9 in | 10.7 in |
Width | 72.2 in | 69.1 in | 3.1 in |
Height | 58.5 in | 57.9 in | 0.6 in |
Curb Weight | 3446 lb. | 3257 lb. | 189 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.3 in | 38.1 in | 0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 56.9 in | 54.9 in | 2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 53.7 in | -53.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.4 in | 42.0 in | 0.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 37.4 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.0 in | 54.0 in | 3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 52.2 in | -52.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 39.1 in | 36.2 in | 2.9 in |
Total Legroom | 81.5 in (over 2 rows) | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 3.3 in |
Cargo Volume | 15.9 ft3 | 11.8 ft3 | 4.1 ft3 |
2014 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2015 | The Passat's top strength remains a non-sporting attribute: never mind how the specs compare, the midsize Volkswagen has the roomiest interior in its class. Rear seat legroom seems limo-like compared to the merely adequate space inside the Mazda. Up front, there's also plenty of stretch-out space for heads, shoulders, and knees. The Passat's trunk is also among the largest, though in this area the Mazda comes up only a cubic foot short. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2014 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
SEL Premium seating is fantastic. Definitely worth the cost of the upgrade over the mid-grade seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
rear seat room is exceptional. can handle long-legged folks with ease and those with large shoe sizes. enter and exiting with larger folks not a problem either. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2013 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2012 | The Mazda3 also isn't a clear choice if a roomy rear seat is a top priority. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I had little room to spare. The rear seat in the Ford Focus is at least as tight, but has a more comfortably positioned cushion. A Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, or Toyota Corolla has far more rear seat room. If you like how the Mazda3 looks and drives, but need more rear seat legroom, the Mazda6 offers another three inches for another $2,100 to $3,700 (depending on trim level). see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2013 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Nice contoured, form fitting seats offer plenty of support, quite comfortable. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2013 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Rear seat a bit tight, needs more room back there. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
It's a joke. You can't fit anything in the back seat aside from children and/or groceries/shopping. Putting an adult back there will require a sincere apology, and possibly a written note and gift bottle of wine. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Non of either if the front seats are all the way back, but rear seat room is NOT a factor for me. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I bought this car to replace a 2004 Mazda 6i Hatchback that I truly loved (got rear-ended and totaled). I did not like the 2012 Mazda 6 at all (or the milage it got), so I went the 3 with Skyactiv. The rear seat and rear legroom is just a bit too small. If it were a tad larger, this would be a awesome car, but the great mileage I get offsets this to a certain degree. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Rear seat is rather tight, worse than my old Protege5 see full Mazda Mazda3 review |