Model Year | 2007 | 2011 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 265 hp@6000 244 lb-ft@4000 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 5-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 103.1 in | 0.8 in |
Length | 178.3 in | 180.3 in | -2 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 68.5 in | 0.6 in |
Height | 57.7 in | 58.1 in | -0.4 in |
Curb Weight | 2991 lb. | 3208 lb. | -217 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 16.9 gal. | -2.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.1 in | 40.3 in | -1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 54.8 in | 0.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 0.0 in | 54.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.9 in | 43.5 in | -1.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.4 in | 37.6 in | -0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 53.2 in | 0.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 0.0 in | 53.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.3 in | 33.5 in | 2.8 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 77 in (over 2 rows) | 1.2 in |
Cargo Volume | 11.4 ft3 | 11.3 ft3 | 0.1 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 |
2011 Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 CVT AWD |
I've driven between the SF Bay Area and San Diego several times with no comfort issues. As a point of comparison, I am comfortable with long drives in a 2002 Honda Civic and I would like to burn the seats in a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
I am 6'4" tall and this is one of the few compact cars I fit into easily with room to spare. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
The rear seats actually have enough space to comfortably fit full size adults or child car seats. The doors open wide making ingress and egress easy. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Amongst small cars, this had quite comfortable rear seat room, which accommodated our car seat better than our previous Volkswagen Jetta. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Roomy inside, as well as pretty large greenhouse see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2011 Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Coming from both an MX-5 and Buick Century the cabin of the WRX is very spacious. There is good room for driver and passenger. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
I drove he car for a better part of 2 hours today. The seats were very comfortable all around in rush hour traffic on city and highway roads. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Seats only adjust two ways, and manual adjustments at that. They're adequate for short trips but uncomfortable if you have to sit for hours. I wish there was an option for multiple power adjustments with memory. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
There is no lumbar support which makes it tough for drives over 2 hours. The seats could be better for its class. I think Subaru remedied this issue in the new body style, however. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |