Model Year | 2013 | 2011 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Kia Soul | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 100.4 in | 3.5 in |
Length | 177.4 in | 161.6 in | 15.8 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 70.3 in | -1.2 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 63.4 in | -5.5 in |
Curb Weight | 2896 lb. | 2560 lb. | 336 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 12.7 gal. | 1.8 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 40.2 in | -2.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 55.2 in | -0.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.7 in | 53.3 in | 0.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 42.1 in | -0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.7 in | 39.6 in | -1.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 55.1 in | -1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.2 in | 52.7 in | -0.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.2 in | 39.0 in | -2.8 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | -2.9 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 17.0 ft3 | 19.3 ft3 | -2.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 42.8 ft3 | 53.4 ft3 | -10.6 ft3 |
2013 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2012 | The Mazda3 also isn't a clear choice if a roomy rear seat is a top priority. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I had little room to spare. The rear seat in the Ford Focus is at least as tight, but has a more comfortably positioned cushion. A Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, or Toyota Corolla has far more rear seat room. If you like how the Mazda3 looks and drives, but need more rear seat legroom, the Mazda6 offers another three inches for another $2,100 to $3,700 (depending on trim level). see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2013 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 |
2013 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 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 |
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 |
2011 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The seats are similarly sufficient for casual around-town driving but subpar for even moderate distances. Less than half way through our four-hour drive the hard, flat cushions grew uncomfortable. see full Kia Soul review |
2011 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Lots of head, hip, knee, and foot room. The cushions seem to get less comfortable after a solid 2-3 hours driving. But, at least around town, this is one car in which you can ask friends to sit in the back without being ashamed. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Lots of headroom and legroom. Seat and wheel adjustments easy to make. Feels larger than it actually is. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Tons of headroom. My daughter has lots of visibility in the back while in her car seat. Full size adults can sit back there in comfort. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 122-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Comfort of an intermediate-size car, with everything in easy reach. Able to maintain comfortable safety belt adjustment. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 122-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Large enought for two adults see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I am over 6 feet tall and even with the moon roof, I have a ton of headroom and leg room. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
My kids are tall too and with my seat adjusted to my liking, there is a ton of head room and leg room in the back. Love the folding rear seats. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
You can fit another two big people behind you even when you are a 6 footer. Headrests for all passangers. Safety side curtains for all passengers. see full Kia Soul review |
2011 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
It felt smaller than the measurements suggested, relative to its competitors. see full Kia Soul review |