Mazda Mazda3 (2008) vs. Subaru Outback (2009) Specs

vs.

◆

2008 Mazda Mazda3 and 2009 Subaru Outback Specifications

Model Year	2008	2009
Model	Mazda Mazda3	Subaru Outback
Engine	turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000	turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 243 hp@6000 241 lb-ft@3600
Transmission	6-speed manual	5-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	AWD
Body	4dr Hatch	4dr Wagon
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.9 in	105.1 in	-1.2 in
Length	176.6 in	188.7 in	-12.1 in
Width	69.1 in	69.7 in	-0.6 in
Height	57.7 in	63.2 in	-5.5 in
Curb Weight	3041 lb.	3605 lb.	-564 lb.
Fuel Capacity	14.5 gal.	16.9 gal.	-2.4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.1 in	40.5 in	-1.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	54.9 in	54.4 in	0.5 in
Hip Room, Row 1	54.9 in	51.0 in	3.9 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.9 in	44.1 in	-2.2 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.4 in	39.1 in	-0.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	54.0 in	53.7 in	0.3 in
Hip Room, Row 2	53.9 in	52.6 in	1.3 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.3 in	33.9 in	2.4 in
Total Legroom	78.2 in (over 2 rows)	78 in (over 2 rows)	0.2 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	17.1 ft³	33.5 ft³	-16.4 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	43.8 ft³	66.2 ft³	-22.4 ft³

Return to top

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Mazda Mazda3

2008 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD	Kids easily able to get in/out of back (4-doors) and often able to take co-workers to lunch (both of which is much more of a hassle with 2-doors). see full Mazda Mazda3 review
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 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
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

2008 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
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
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	Tight and uncomfortable as are most other cars in this class. 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
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 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
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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2009 Subaru Outback

2009 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	This is a big one for me since I'm 6'6". The seat is very comfortable, even with my long legs. With it all the way back, I can fit in the rear seat as well. Also, heated seats are a wonderful thing. see full Subaru Outback review
2010	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	It seems to have as much room as my Chevy Suburban. see full Subaru Outback review
2010	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	More then enough room for my children and their car seats. Much more room compared to my VW Passat Wagon I traded in. see full Subaru Outback review
2010	4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The driver's seat with its 10 way adjustments was rival to Volvo's orthopedic chair. The passenger seat, however was akin to something out of a Yaris & this was the main reason we did not buy this car. see full Subaru Outback review

2009 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	There are no adjustements for height, lumbar or tilt for the passenger in any of the available trim levels. We would have bought this car new from the dealer otherwise. see full Subaru Outback review
2010	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	One complaint is the hard, short driver's seat. I use a gel cushion. I had after market leather installed. see full Subaru Outback review
2008	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	A little tight in the left portion of the footwell; small dead pedal. see full Subaru Outback review
2008	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Footroom too short. see full Subaru Outback review
2008	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	not long enough for a 6 foot 2 inch frame but I manage see full Subaru Outback review

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Hatchbacks.

See TrueDelta's information for all Mazda models.