Mazda Mazda3 (2009) vs. Lexus IS (2017) Specs

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2009 Mazda Mazda3 and 2017 Lexus IS Specifications

Model Year	2009	2017
Model	Mazda Mazda3	Lexus IS
Engine	turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 306 hp@6400 277 lb-ft@4800
Transmission	6-speed manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	RWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.9 in	110.2 in	-6.3 in
Length	178.3 in	184.3 in	-6 in
Width	69.1 in	71.3 in	-2.2 in
Height	57.7 in	56.3 in	1.4 in
Curb Weight	2991 lb.	3593 lb.	-602 lb.
Fuel Capacity	14.5 gal.	17.4 gal.	-2.9 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.1 in	38.2 in	0.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	54.9 in	55.9 in	-1 in
Hip Room, Row 1	54.9 in	54.3 in	0.6 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.9 in	44.8 in	-2.9 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.4 in	36.9 in	0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	54.0 in	53.4 in	0.6 in
Hip Room, Row 2	53.9 in	54.0 in	-0.1 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.3 in	32.2 in	4.1 in
Total Legroom	78.2 in (over 2 rows)	77 in (over 2 rows)	1.2 in
Cargo Volume	11.4 ft³	10.8 ft³	0.6 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

2017 Lexus IS Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2016	For me, the front bucket seats in Lexus F Sport models provide a nearly ideal blend of comfort and support. Even when they don't lack lateral support, the seats in competitors don't fit my form as well. Infiniti doesn't offer the Q50 2.0t in Sport form. The standard car's front seats provide little lateral support. The instrument panel appears larger and more imposing in the Infiniti than in the Lexus. Still, I wish the view forward were a little more open in the latter. (The Cadillac ATS is better in this regard.) Lexus lowered the driving position compared to the previous IS to help the car feel sportier. I raised the seat some to compensate. Adding all-wheel-drive to the Lexus IS (and a V6 engine with it, AWD isn't offered with the 2.0T engine) adds another issue, a large hump beneath the driver's right calf. Some drivers might find they have to adjust how they sit to avoid this hump. see full Lexus IS review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2017 Lexus IS.

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