Model Year | 2012 | 2015 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Mazda CX-5 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 106.3 in | -2.4 in |
Length | 177.4 in | 178.7 in | -1.3 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 72.4 in | -3.3 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 65.7 in | -7.8 in |
Curb Weight | 2896 lb. | 3194 lb. | -298 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 14.8 gal. | -0.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 40.1 in | -2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 57.5 in | -2.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.7 in | 55.2 in | -1.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 41.0 in | 1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.7 in | 39.0 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 55.5 in | -1.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.2 in | 53.7 in | -1.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.2 in | 39.3 in | -3.1 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 80.3 in (over 2 rows) | -2.1 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 17.0 ft3 | 34.1 ft3 | -17.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 42.8 ft3 | 64.8 ft3 | -22 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 |
2015 Mazda CX-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
There's no clear winner in rear seat room and comfort, either. The Mazda's rear seat is mounted a little lower than the Toyota's, and when sitting in it my knees are considerably closer (if still not close) to the front seat backs. Also, the Toyota's rear seat reclines, while the Mazda's does not. Neither car has air vents in the rear passenger compartment, but the RAV4 has a large vent high on the instrument panel apparently intended to push cool air into the rear seat via the ceiling. To counter these RAV4 advantages, the CX-5 offers about five inches more rear hip room. So three passengers will fit more comfortably. see full Mazda CX-5 review |
2015 Mazda CX-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2015 | 4dr SUV 184-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Soon after I bought the Mazda, I did an 8 hour trip in it. I found the seat comfort to be most satisfactory. I had no trouble finding a comfortable driving position using the power seat, and, the lumbar support. see full Mazda CX-5 review |
2015 Mazda CX-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr SUV 184-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
While recently shopping for a new car for the first time in over 10 years, I found that driver's seats are now made with high sides. For me, a 5'1" female driver, this makes it a bit awkward getting in and out. Combined with the higher ground clearance of a compact SUV, it's not the ideal setup. The Mazda CX-5 is not as bad as others, but it's still an issue. see full Mazda CX-5 review |