Model Year | 2012 | 2007 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Subaru Forester | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 224 hp@5600 226 lb-ft@3600 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 4-speed automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 99.4 in | 4.5 in |
Length | 177.4 in | 176.6 in | 0.8 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 68.3 in | 0.8 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 65.0 in | -7.1 in |
Curb Weight | 3281 lb. | 3350 lb. | -69 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 15.9 gal. | -1.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 39.8 in | -1.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 53.5 in | 1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.7 in | 51.6 in | 2.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 43.6 in | -1.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.7 in | 39.7 in | -2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 53.6 in | 0.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.2 in | 51.6 in | 0.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.2 in | 33.7 in | 2.5 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 77.3 in (over 2 rows) | 0.9 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 17.0 ft3 | 32.0 ft3 | -15 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 42.8 ft3 | 57.7 ft3 | -14.9 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 |
2007 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
easy to find comfortable position; no problems driving over an hour or more; good upright position see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Front driver leg room is a little cramped from side to side. see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
No thigh or lumbar support, seats hrad, minimal leg room for front passenger see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Not acceptable for an adult in any of the three rear seating positions see full Subaru Forester review |
2006 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Again, cramped and too small for larger people. see full Subaru Forester review |
2006 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
This is honesty the only complaint i have about the 2006 XT. The rear seat is a bit tight. We took three other adults on about a 4 hour trip and it was a tight fit - good thing we're good friends! My wife's 2009 Forester is much better in the rear legroom department. see full Subaru Forester review |