Model Year | 2009 | 2009 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Nissan Altima | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6000 258 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed shiftable CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,639 mm | 2,776 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,529 mm | 4,821 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,755 mm | 1,796 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,466 mm | 1,471 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,357 kg | 1,553 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 55 L | 76 L | -21 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 993 mm | 1,031 mm | 992 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,394 mm | 1,415 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,394 mm | 1,443 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,064 mm | 1,120 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 950 mm | 935 mm | 15 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,372 mm | 1,410 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,369 mm | 1,334 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 922 mm | 909 mm | 13 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,986 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,029 mm (over 2 rows) | -1 mm |
Cargo Volume | 323 L | 433 L | -110 L |
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 |
2009 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Nissan has reputation for reliability see full Nissan Altima review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
I am a big guy who at first did not consider Altima because I did not think I would fit in it. I was surprised to find I fit just fine. I am 6'3" and 252lbs. The front seats provide ample room. I also have a lot of head room. see full Nissan Altima review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
I am 6'3", weigh 235. Being a big guy, I find this car VERY comfortable. I use it in my work daily. I drive it multiple trips/day (there have been as many as 8-10 trips/day-from 2 miles up to 50 miles/each trip). So I am in/out of the car multiple times/day. It's very easy to enter and exit and is very roomy for a mid-sized car and also has a lot of rear leg room. The trunk is large as well and the back seat folds down making the useful trunk space all the more. I also like the console and having the iPod connection in the second storage area of the console-out of the way. Hip room of the front seat is very generous as well. Just yesterday I had a rear seat passenger who commented how much leg room they had in the back. see full Nissan Altima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Comfortable for 6 ft adult. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed manual FWD |
Very comfortable and i found all the controls very intuitive. the driving position is right and everything falls where you would expect it. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Very good for tall people, even with sunroof. Seat is adjustable in 3 directions plus lumbar support. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
I guess these first three are of a piece. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
adjustability see full Nissan Altima review |
2009 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Very difficult to get in and even more difficult to get out. Only teens in good shape can do it easily see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Not much room back there but that is to be expected in a coupe You can get small adults back there for short trips see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
My shoulder room is cramped and i feel like the whole front seating area is a too small. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Difficult entry; Lever in akward position to move front passenger seat forward for rear seat ingress/egress. Headroom, legroom. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
test drove it for 15 minutes and never could found the right driving position see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
tight quarters. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed manual FWD |
Good luck fitting more than one person of or above average size in the back. For one person, I find that having them sit in one seat and putting their legs across behind the other seat creates the illusion of them having more room. see full Nissan Altima review |