Model Year | 2006 | 2008 | |
Model | BMW 3-Series | Mazda Mazda3 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.7 in | 103.9 in | 4.8 in |
Length | 178.2 in | 178.3 in | -0.1 in |
Width | 71.5 in | 69.1 in | 2.4 in |
Height | 55.9 in | 57.7 in | -1.8 in |
Curb Weight | 3285 lb. | 2758 lb. | 527 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 1.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.5 in | 39.1 in | -0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.4 in | 54.9 in | 0.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 54.9 in | -54.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.5 in | 41.9 in | -0.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 37.4 in | 0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.1 in | 54.0 in | 1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 53.9 in | -53.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 36.3 in | -1.7 in |
Total Legroom | 76.1 in (over 2 rows) | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | -2.1 in |
Cargo Volume | 12.0 ft3 | 11.4 ft3 | 0.6 ft3 |
2006 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
More padding, slightly larger than e46 sport seats, fully adjustable side bolsters and the Dakota leather seems thicker and softer than the e-46 leather. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
back support see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Heated, 8-way, with lumbar control: seems to have comfort covered for most drivers (wheel does not telescope). see full BMW 3-Series review |
2005 | 2dr Coupe 333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
My M3 is the only sports car I found that will comfortably fit a baby seat in the rear. :) see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
very little leg room. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
I have the coupe, the back seats are just an afterthought. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Too small & cramped. Fit and finish was much less desirable than my past 1998 5 series BMW. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Small. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Entering and exiting and overall seat comfort are not designed for taller or larger drivers see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A little tight for taller adults. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The rear seats are comfortable, but due to the size of/shortness of the car there is not much legroom, a full size adult will have trouble getting their feet into the footwells. Mind you, the trunk space is immense for such a small car. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
There is little foot room and the ride is rough. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
cramped see full BMW 3-Series review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
what room see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Kids easily able to get in/out of back (4-doors) and often able to take co-workers to lunch (both of which is much more of a hassle with 2-doors). see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Lots of leg room even with the seat all the way back see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Very sporty seats, excellent lumber support. Seats will ensure that you stay where you are supposed to be, even in tight cornering. After a straight 12hr trip, the seat still feels comfortable. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Lots of leg space & head room, and seat adjustments possible. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2008 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Not enough comfort-room for my son (which meant that the Mazda failed the test). see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
good for a small child, but i would not want to ride back there for long see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Too cramped for an adult see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tight and uncomfortable as are most other cars in this class. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Well, when the front seats are back, there is little leg room in the back seat -- to be expected in a compact. But, the rear seats are very comfortable and can handle a wider person. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
This IS a smaller car. That being said, if the front seats are all the way back, people in the back had better sit Indian-style on the seats. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The Mazda 3 has very limited footroom except when the driver is of very small stature.it helps somewhat if you puchsae the model with the height adjustable seat.seat fabric on the none leather models goes bally,and becomes difficult to clean!! see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Rear seats are really small and tight legroom. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |