Model Year | 2012 | 2009 | |
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 shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 103.0 in | 0.9 in |
Length | 177.4 in | 179.5 in | -2.1 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 70.1 in | -1 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 65.9 in | -8 in |
Curb Weight | 3281 lb. | 3440 lb. | -159 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 16.9 gal. | -2.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 41.6 in | -3.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 56.1 in | -1.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.7 in | 0.0 in | 53.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 43.1 in | -1.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.7 in | 40.0 in | -2.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 55.6 in | -1.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.2 in | 0.0 in | 52.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.2 in | 38.0 in | -1.8 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | -2.9 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 17.0 ft3 | 33.5 ft3 | -16.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 42.8 ft3 | 68.3 ft3 | -25.5 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 |
2009 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
leather seat "baquet" has very good lateral control, but leather is slippery on braking see full Subaru Forester review |
2010 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Enough room to feel comfortable, even at 6 feet tall. The fact that the Premium Trim package allows rear seats to recline a bit helps a lot as well. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
ample rear seat room for car seats and adults alike see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Rear seat has plenty of leg room, and the roof is high for tall drivers. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Rear seats are very comfortable, lots of space, excellent for wife and kid. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Easily fits people over 6 foot in fron with plenty of room in back for passengers - much better than previous generation Forester. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Pleanty of room for long legs in the rear seat. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Big enough for growing children; enough leg room for tall driver see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
well padded and shaped, power seat controls allows good positioning. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
It fits my kids (three) better than 2001 Outback, the rear seat "hump" is less proeminent than in other Subaru models (Outback namely), good hip and shoulder room see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Great for an average women. Too narrow for fit 6 foot man, especially in the back cushion. see full Subaru Forester review |