Model Year | 2007 | 2009 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Saturn ASTRA | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 102.9 in | 1 in |
Length | 176.6 in | 170.5 in | 6.1 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 69.0 in | 0.1 in |
Height | 57.7 in | 57.4 in | 0.3 in |
Curb Weight | 2808 lb. | 2921 lb. | -113 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 12.2 gal. | 2.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.1 in | 38.9 in | 0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 53.9 in | 1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 51.8 in | 3.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.9 in | 42.0 in | -0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.4 in | 38.3 in | 0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 52.8 in | 1.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 51.4 in | 2.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.3 in | 35.3 in | 1 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 77.3 in (over 2 rows) | 0.9 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 17.1 ft3 | 12.5 ft3 | 4.6 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 31.2 ft3 | 44.8 ft3 | -13.6 ft3 |
2007 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Lots of leg space & head room, and seat adjustments possible. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Very sporty seats, excellent lumber support. Seats will ensure that you stay where you are supposed to be, even in tight cornering. After a straight 12hr trip, the seat still feels comfortable. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2006 | 4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
One of the very few small cars which have a telescopic steering wheel - great for switching between short and tall drivers, pedals placed well for comfort, gear shifter just the right length, and clutch is goldilocks as well - just right. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
For a small car there is more than adequate leg and shoulder room for two average sized adults. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 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 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 |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
This IS a smaller car. That being said, if the front seats are all the way back, people in the back had better sit Indian-style on the seats. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Rear seats are really small and tight legroom. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The Mazda 3 has very limited footroom except when the driver is of very small stature.it helps somewhat if you puchsae the model with the height adjustable seat.seat fabric on the none leather models goes bally,and becomes difficult to clean!! see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2006 | 4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
If you are over 6 foot like me, make sure you are not in the back. That simple. The folding seats on the hatchback are flexible though for longer items. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2006 | 4dr Sedan 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
The rear seat is very comfortable for small to average sized people, even for long trips. However, those with long legs will find themselves cramped for legroom. The low roof in the back adds to that cramped feeling. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2009 Saturn ASTRA Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Tilt/telescopic steering and with 8 way adjustable drivers seat. I was able to find my near perfect driving position. Every automaker should make a drivers seat manual lumbar standard, then it would be perfect. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2009 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Being a 5 door hatch, there is plenty of room in the back for 2 full size adults or 3 children/teens. With the hatch, there is lots of room for bulky stuff. Like a Mini-SUV in cargo hauling. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The European styled seats are great! Very supportive, but not too firm, and the seat back adjustment is exceptionally simple. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Leather seats with lumbar is very comfortable. Lots of leg room, even for tall people. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I run 6', 300# and this is one of the few smaller cars I can drive in reasonable comfort while taking the back roads. Nice lateral support and my back doesn't give me fits when I get out. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I have the cloth seats, which I had read didn't offer good back or thigh support. I find this to be very untrue even without adjustable lumbar support. I did switch out my stock steering wheel with a leather VXR wheel from Britain, which REALLY gave this car a premium feel. The stock seats support my back very well (6'2") and also find there to be just enough leg room with my seat almost all the way back, thigh support is a bit lacking, but for such a tiny car they really did a good job making it feel like a much bigger car. I also highly recommend buying and installing the Boomerang armrest and cup holder to maximize your Astra comfort. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
at 6ft 1 in , has plenty of leg and head room. Comfortable to get in and out of see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Seat fits just right. Plenty of adjustment range between seat and steering wheel. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Harder than most american seats. Very comfortable for long hauls. No need for armrest! see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2009 Saturn ASTRA Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Narrow seats and tough entry/exit due to low roofline. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 2dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
See above. see full Saturn ASTRA review |
2008 | 4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
My only concern about front seat room isn't about the seats at all, but that the peddles in the 5 speed are very small and very very close together, which for me with size 13 feet can create a problem. I have caught my feet together and accidently stomped on the break when trying to push in the clutch, which upsets everyone driving behind me, but provides a good laugh for me. see full Saturn ASTRA review |