Model Year | 2012 | 2007 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Audi A3 | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000 |
3.2L V6 DOHC-4v 250 hp@6300 236 lb-ft@2800 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 101.5 in | 2.4 in |
Length | 177.4 in | 168.7 in | 8.7 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 69.5 in | -0.4 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 56.0 in | 1.9 in |
Curb Weight | 3281 lb. | 3660 lb. | -379 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 15.0 gal. | -0.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 38.1 in | 0 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 54.3 in | 0.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.7 in | 0.0 in | 53.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 41.2 in | 0.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.7 in | 36.9 in | 0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 52.8 in | 1.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.2 in | 0.0 in | 52.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.2 in | 34.8 in | 1.4 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 76 in (over 2 rows) | 2.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 17.0 ft3 | 13.1 ft3 | 3.9 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 42.8 ft3 | 54.6 ft3 | -11.8 ft3 |
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 |
2007 Audi A3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Really just a 4 place vehicle...3 across in the rear is not comfortably possible. see full Audi A3 review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Slightly too close to each other in arm room. see full Audi A3 review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Due to the position of the doors it is hard to get in and out of the car. see full Audi A3 review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The back seat is too small for most adults. I hadn't thought about it much when I bought the car, but it became apparent. I'd take friends to lunch and they are uncomfortable.Even ifa personplans on sitting small children in the back, they grow and the useful life of the car is affected. I wish the Europeans would figure that out. see full Audi A3 review |
2006 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The Subaru has a more comfortable and roomy back seat, with easier ingress/egress. see full Audi A3 review |