Model Year | 2006 | 2012 | |
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 | 180.9 in | -2.7 in |
Width | 71.5 in | 69.1 in | 2.4 in |
Height | 55.9 in | 57.9 in | -2 in |
Curb Weight | 3285 lb. | 2872 lb. | 413 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 1.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.5 in | 38.1 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.4 in | 54.9 in | 0.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 53.7 in | -53.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.5 in | 42.0 in | -0.5 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 | 52.2 in | -52.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 36.2 in | -1.6 in |
Total Legroom | 76.1 in (over 2 rows) | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | -2.1 in |
Cargo Volume | 12.0 ft3 | 11.8 ft3 | 0.2 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 |
2012 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 |
2012 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 manual FWD |
Rear seat is rather tight, worse than my old Protege5 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 |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 104-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Seating room is borderline for 2 adults, particularly leg room. 3 adults virtually impossible. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The Mazda3 is not a vehicle for transporting more than 2 people. The backseat is cramped for a full-size adult. However, when required, they will fit. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |