Mazda Mazda3 Mazda Mazda3 2006 Toyota Highlander Toyota Highlander 2012

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Mazda Mazda3 (2006) vs. Toyota Highlander (2012) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2006 Mazda Mazda3 and 2012 Toyota Highlander specs.

2006 Mazda Mazda3 and 2012 Toyota Highlander Specifications

Model Year 2006 2012  
Model Mazda Mazda3 Toyota Highlander  
Engine 2.3L I4
DOHC-4v
160 hp@6500
150 lb-ft@4500
3.5L V6
DOHC-4v
270 hp@6200
248 lb-ft@4700
 
Transmission 5-speed manual 5-speed shiftable automatic  
Drivetrain FWD FWD  
Body 4dr Hatch 4dr SUV  
      Difference
Wheelbase 103.9 in 109.8 in -5.9 in
Length 176.6 in 188.4 in -11.8 in
Width 69.1 in 75.2 in -6.1 in
Height 57.7 in 68.1 in -10.4 in
Curb Weight 2808 lb. 4045 lb. -1237 lb.
Fuel Capacity 14.5 gal. 19.2 gal. -4.7 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 39.1 in 40.6 in -1.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 54.9 in 59.7 in -4.8 in
Hip Room, Row 1 54.9 in 56.7 in -1.8 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.9 in 43.2 in -1.3 in
Headroom, Row 2 38.4 in 40.1 in -1.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 54.0 in 59.5 in -5.5 in
Hip Room, Row 2 53.9 in 56.5 in -2.6 in
Legroom, Row 2 36.3 in 38.3 in -2 in
Headroom, Row 3 0.0 in 36.3 in -36.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3 0.0 in 55.0 in -55 in
Hip Room, Row 3 0.0 in 42.3 in -42.3 in
Legroom, Row 3 0.0 in 29.2 in -29.2 in
Total Legroom 78.2 in (over 2 rows) 110.7 in (over 3 rows) -32.5 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 17.1 ft3 10.3 ft3 6.8 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 17.1 42.3 ft3 -25.2
Cargo Volume, Maximum 31.2 ft3 95.4 ft3 -64.2 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2006 Mazda Mazda3

2006 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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 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
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 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
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
2006 4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Front seats are very uncomfortable. The side bolsters are hard and push your shoulders forward. The seat bolsters dig into your leg on the left side. The head restraints push your neck and head too far forward. The seat bottom is too hard. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2006 4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed manual FWD
small rear seat for adults 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
2006 4dr Sedan 160-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Not a lot of room for four large adults. In a pinch I have squeezed five in, but for short trips. Trunk opening is oddly shaped and often I find myself loading/unloading through the lowered rear seats for larger items. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2005 4dr Sedan 160-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed manual FWD
the leather is cheap and the seat is not comfortable see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2005 4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4
5-speed manual FWD
There is none. Its rediculous how little rear leg room there is given the size of the car. My much smaller Mazda Protege that this replaced had substantially more. And don't even think about getting a rear facing car seat back there. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Toyota Highlander

2012 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Perfect for two car seats. Really neat trick - the middle seat for the 2nd row rolls up into the center console. I did not remove it nor attempt to sit in it but that does make the 3rd row more likely to be used for those with car seats. I did not attempt to sit in the 3rd row (looked at it before folding into the floor for cargo space for the entire trip) so cannot opine on it. Use at your own risk. see full Toyota Highlander review
2012 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I am 6 foot tall, and there is plenty of head and leg room in the driving position. Easy access as well. see full Toyota Highlander review
2012 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
3rd row seats are useless to me. Too little room for adults. Should have been an option for families with small children. With 3rd row seating, you lose storage space. see full Toyota Highlander review
2011 4dr SUV 245-horsepower 3.5L V6 Hybrid
CVT AWD
Third row minimal legroom see full Toyota Highlander review
 
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