Mazda Mazda3 (2010) vs. Mercedes-Benz GL (2012) Specs

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2010 Mazda Mazda3 and 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL Specifications

Model Year	2010	2012
Model	Mazda Mazda3	Mercedes-Benz GL
Engine	turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000	5.5L V8 DOHC-4v 382 hp@6000 391 lb-ft@2800
Transmission	6-speed manual	7-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	AWD
Body	4dr Hatch	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.9 in	121.1 in	-17.2 in
Length	177.4 in	200.6 in	-23.2 in
Width	69.1 in	76.0 in	-6.9 in
Height	57.9 in	72.4 in	-14.5 in
Curb Weight	3221 lb.	5545 lb.	-2324 lb.
Fuel Capacity	15.9 gal.	26.0 gal.	-10.1 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	38.9 in	40.1 in	-1.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	54.9 in	58.3 in	-3.4 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.0 in	40.3 in	1.7 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.0 in	40.6 in	-2.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	54.0 in	58.9 in	-4.9 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.2 in	39.5 in	-3.3 in
Headroom, Row 3	0.0 in	38.2 in	-38.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	0.0 in	50.5 in	-50.5 in
Legroom, Row 3	0.0 in	34.2 in	-34.2 in
Total Legroom	78.2 in (over 2 rows)	114 in (over 3 rows)	-35.8 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	17.0 ft³	14.3 ft³	2.7 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	17.0	43.8 ft³	-26.8
Cargo Volume, Maximum	43.8 ft³	83.3 ft³	-39.5 ft³

2010 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

2010 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
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
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
2010	4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD	Rear seat space can be tight see full Mazda Mazda3 review

2012 Mercedes-Benz GL Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is just a little longer than the Audi Q7 (201.6 vs. 200.3 inches), and isn't as wide (76.4 vs. 78.1 inches). But the Mercedes is considerably taller (72.8 vs. 68.4 inches) and not nearly as curvy. Which might explain how it is far roomier than the much sleeker Audi. Combined legroom for all three rows is 107.6 inches in the Q7 vs. 113.8 inches in the GL-Class, a large difference. The Q7's space deficit grows the farther back you sit. For adults to even fit in the Audi's third row without extreme discomfort, those in the second row must slide their seats forward to the point that they are themselves short on knee room. While the new GL350's third row sits too low to provide thigh support, it's not nearly as cramped. Further evidence that Audi didn't intend the Q7's third row for frequent use: the second-row seat doesn't do a good job of getting out of the way, making the path in and out of the way-back perhaps the tightest I've experienced. The second-row seat in the GL-Class tips forward to open up a much wider path. If manually tipping the seat is too much of a chore (perhaps because you'e a five-year-old and haven't yet learned to read this), $400 buys a power assist. But even with this option the seat must be manually returned to its upright position, so the point eludes me. see full Mercedes-Benz GL review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL.

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