Model Year | 2012 | 2016 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Nissan Maxima | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 300 hp@6400 261 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 | 180.9 in | 192.8 in | -11.9 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 73.2 in | -4.1 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 56.5 in | 1.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3257 lb. | 3471 lb. | -214 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 18.0 gal. | -3.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 39.4 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 56.7 in | -1.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.7 in | 54.2 in | -0.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 45.0 in | -3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.4 in | 36.7 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 55.7 in | -1.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.2 in | 53.5 in | -1.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.2 in | 34.2 in | 2 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 79.2 in (over 2 rows) | -1 in |
Cargo Volume | 11.8 ft3 | 14.3 ft3 | -2.5 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 |
2016 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | Starting with the 2013 Altima and continuing with the 2015 Murano, the latest Nissans have had exceptionally comfortable front seats. The new Maxima's seats are based on the Altima's, but have some additional padding. While they don't feel as cushy and form-fitting to me as the Murano's, they're still more comfortable than the Acura TLX's front seats, which are themselves pretty good. The side bolsters are of similarly moderate size and aggressiveness in both cars, but the Maxima SR's Alcantara upholstery prevents sliding much better than the TLX's leather. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2016 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
If you need an especially roomy rear seat, then the Maxima isn't your best bet. The Nissan does have an inch or two more rear knee room than the Acura TLX, and about an inch more rear headroom than the Lincoln MKZ (perhaps enough for someone six-feet tall), but the LaCrosse, Azera, and Avalon offer enough rear seat space for adults to not only fit but stretch out. see full Nissan Maxima review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Nissan Maxima.