Model Year | 2012 | 2014 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Ford Fiesta | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 197 hp@6000 202 lb-ft@2500 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 98.0 in | 5.9 in |
Length | 180.9 in | 173.6 in | 7.3 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 67.8 in | 1.3 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 58.1 in | -0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3257 lb. | 2783 lb. | 474 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 12.4 gal. | 2.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 39.1 in | -1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 52.7 in | 2.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.7 in | 50.6 in | 3.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 42.2 in | -0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.4 in | 37.1 in | 0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 49.0 in | 5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.2 in | 49.2 in | 3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.2 in | 31.2 in | 5 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 73.4 in (over 2 rows) | 4.8 in |
Cargo Volume | 11.8 ft3 | 12.8 ft3 | -1 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 |
2014 Ford Fiesta Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Just as the Ford Fiesta has some clear strengths, it also has some clear weaknesses. Its rear seat, though comfortably positioned well off the floor, is the tightest in the segment. At 5-9, I can barely squeeze behind myself. The Fit's rear seat is far roomier. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2014 Ford Fiesta Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Narrow car with narrow seats. If you are a taller/bigger person, expect that the seats will feel like doll furniture after an hour. see full Ford Fiesta review |