Mazda Mazda3 (2008) vs. Subaru Outback (2016) Specs

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2008 Mazda Mazda3 and 2016 Subaru Outback Specifications

Model Year	2008	2016
Model	Mazda Mazda3	Subaru Outback
Engine	turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000	3.6L H6 DOHC-4v 256 hp@6000 247 lb-ft@4400
Transmission	6-speed manual	6-speed shiftable CVT
Drivetrain	FWD	AWD
Body	4dr Hatch	4dr Wagon
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.9 in	108.1 in	-4.2 in
Length	176.6 in	189.6 in	-13 in
Width	69.1 in	72.4 in	-3.3 in
Height	57.7 in	66.1 in	-8.4 in
Curb Weight	3041 lb.	3810 lb.	-769 lb.
Fuel Capacity	14.5 gal.	18.5 gal.	-4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.1 in	40.8 in	-1.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	54.9 in	58.1 in	-3.2 in
Hip Room, Row 1	54.9 in	55.5 in	-0.6 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.9 in	42.9 in	-1 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.4 in	38.9 in	-0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	54.0 in	57.3 in	-3.3 in
Hip Room, Row 2	53.9 in	55.0 in	-1.1 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.3 in	38.1 in	-1.8 in
Total Legroom	78.2 in (over 2 rows)	81 in (over 2 rows)	-2.8 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	17.1 ft³	35.5 ft³	-18.4 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	43.8 ft³	73.3 ft³	-29.5 ft³

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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

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Subaru Outback

2016 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	Through the 2009 model year, the Outback (and the related Legacy sedan) had a tight back seat. Though marketed as a midsize car, it was actually a compact. The 2010 redesign dramatically expanded the Outback's interior, especially in the back seat. The 2015 redesign added another inch of shoulder room, such that the Outback (and Legacy) are now not only truly midsize, but rank among the roomiest midsize cars. Rear air vents are offered--in Outbacks with leather. So the tested car lacked them. Some compact crossovers, including the Cherokee, are about as roomy, but they achieve their specs through a more upright seating position. People in the back seat are closer to the front seats, so they don't feel like they have as much room even though they have just as much space for their legs. But they get rear air vents even in the lower trim levels. see full Subaru Outback review

2016 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	The front seats have an unusually high bulge just below my shoulder blades. This feels more odd than uncomfortable, at least to me. The driver's lumbar adjusts, but this affects the area below said bulge. Partly depending on your height your experience might vary. These seats also provide very little lateral support, which admittedly isn't much of an issue given the non-sporting character (and non-sporting tires) of the Outback. I had no such qualms with the armrest on the door. It's wide and cushy. In the front seats' favor, for 2015 Subaru has added fore-aft adjustability to the headrests, a rarity in recent moderately priced cars. The Jeep's cloth seats are too squishy, but they're more form-fittting than the Subaru's, and I find them more comfortable. see full Subaru Outback review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Subaru Outback

2016 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2016	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	see full Subaru Outback review
2016	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	see full Subaru Outback review

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