Model Year | 2009 | 2013 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Chevrolet Sonic | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 99.4 in | 4.5 in |
Length | 178.3 in | 173.1 in | 5.2 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 68.3 in | 0.8 in |
Height | 57.7 in | 59.7 in | -2 in |
Curb Weight | 2758 lb. | 2727 lb. | 31 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 12.2 gal. | 2.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.1 in | 38.7 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 53.4 in | 1.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 51.4 in | 3.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.9 in | 41.8 in | 0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.4 in | 37.8 in | -0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 53.0 in | 1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 51.6 in | 2.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.3 in | 34.6 in | 1.7 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 76.4 in (over 2 rows) | 1.8 in |
Cargo Volume | 11.4 ft3 | 14.9 ft3 | -3.5 ft3 |
2009 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Tilt and telescopic wheel plus the adjustments with the drivers seat had me in a very good/comfortable driving position. Being comfortable allows me to concentrate on the drive ahead instead of being distracted by squirming around in the seat. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Being a 5 door hatch, there is plenty of room back for 2 full size adults or 3 kids/teenagers. The versatility of the hatch makes it feel like a Mini SUV. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Very comfortable and form fitting. My butt and back feel supported. Leg room is great. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
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 |
2009 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Rear seat space can be tight see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
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 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 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 |
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 |
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 |
2013 Chevrolet Sonic Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
For a little car, the front seat room is very nice for the average person. see full Chevrolet Sonic review |
2013 Chevrolet Sonic Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The front seating position is cramped, but even worse is the footroom !!!! I have the 6 speed manual transmission and the clutch pedal feels like it was an afterthought. The wheel well intrudest so much that is difficult to engage the clutch without my foot being moved inward due to the lack of room. I have a mens 9 shoe so it is not because I have huge feet. My leg hits the center console while using the gas pedalso far to the right. IT IS SO BAD I TOOK THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECE AT THE GAS PEDAL OFF TO HAVE MORE ROOM !!! I have a friend in England he told me it was not as much of a problem due to the placenet of the pedals in the right hand drive models. It also makes sense this car sells more in right hand driving counties, the radio control are on the right hand side of the steering wheel. This is a stupid position considering having to change gears with the right hand. I am not a small guy, but I am not huge. I am 240 at 5"9'. with a passenger of similar size I feel very cramped. I had a buddy with me, He is a mountain of a man at 6'3" and having very broad shoulders like my self. It was a scream! We were smashed together. I had to work hard to change gears. The car is about 3" to narrow. I previously owned a Nissan Versa. It was considered a narrow car but we never had this problem. It was so cramped if it was a much longer ride, I would have had him get in the back seat. CRAMPED IN THE FRONT TO THE EXTREME DEGREE !!!!!!!! see full Chevrolet Sonic review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
THE SEATS ARE LIKE MIDIEVAL TORTURE DEVICES !!! I am not a huge guy. I have am 5'9" tall with a 40" waist. I have a wide stance. I did take a long test drive in this car. I noticed that the seats were not terribly comfortable but I had run into that with several cars. The seats got better as the broke in. THESE GOT WORSE !!!! It got so bad that I had themreupholstered!!!!! It helped very little !!!! They are too narrow, overbolstered....poorly padded....no lumbar support...the armrest is usless (it sits too low and angled down)....If i could trade it in tomorrow it would be gone. I drive 4 hours a week at a mininimum to school round trip. the next day I am sore. I am going in for time 2 to see if I can FIX the seat comfort.....ARGG see full Chevrolet Sonic review |