Model Year | 2009 | 2014 | |
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 251 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 7-speed shiftable CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 109.3 in | -5.4 in |
Length | 178.3 in | 191.5 in | -13.2 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 72.0 in | -2.9 in |
Height | 57.7 in | 57.9 in | -0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 2991 lb. | 3295 lb. | -304 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 18.0 gal. | -3.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.1 in | 40.0 in | -0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 56.4 in | -1.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 54.0 in | 0.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.9 in | 45.0 in | -3.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.4 in | 37.1 in | 0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 56.4 in | -2.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 52.1 in | 1.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.3 in | 36.1 in | 0.2 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | -2.9 in |
Cargo Volume | 11.4 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | -4 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 |
2014 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | I'm already stuck. In just about every other way aside from fuel economy the Altima is a good, even very good car, yet an unremarkable one. Either this, or a strength must be qualified with a "but." The latter is the case with the front seats. Inspired by the "zero gravity" seats designed by NASA for ultra-long-distance travel, the Altima's buckets feel substantial and fit like a glove. BUT...also check the reasons not to buy an Altima. Move to the back seat, and Nissan's midsize sedan has a clearer advantage. The comfortably padded rear seat cushions in both the Altima and the Fushion provide good thigh support--those in many competitors do not. The Altima's rear seat isn't quite the roomiest, but it is roomier than the Fusion's. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The NASA-inspired driver's seat is very comfortable and supportive, BUT its headrest juts so far forward that I had to remove it and reinsert it turned around. This severely compromises safety, but otherwise the headrest presses very uncomfortably against the back of my head. For this reason I doubt I could own an Altima. The average person, with a less vertical neck, won't have this problem. Just be sure to pay attention to this during your test drive. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
best seats... most comfortable! I wont go back to Honda. dang. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
I bought this car because of the front seat leg room. I'm 6' 5" tall with a 36" inseam. This is the first car I've ever owned that I fit in perfectly. The cloth bucket seats are very comfortable. Every control is in easy reach even though I have the seat as far back as it can go. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel is great. This is the first mid size sedan since I've owned. It has more interior room than a 1999 Buick LeSabre I owned 10 years ago. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Superb see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Adequate see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
The seats are quite comfortable. They feel like they have memory foam in them. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Huge back seat for a sedan (legroom) and even three abreast is not that terrible. Big guys did not complain. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
The seats are very comfortable, I would have been happy if both the driver and passenger were electronic. The lumbar support is fantastic and the driver seats is 8-way adjustable. For tall people this car will be a great ride. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Kids in the back seat love the limoesque space. I do enjoy anchor locks and the well placed seat belts. There is definitely some intelligent design and practice into everything and anything in this car. see full Nissan Altima review |