Mazda Mazda3 Mazda Mazda3 2012 Toyota Highlander Toyota Highlander 2008

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Mazda Mazda3 (2012) vs. Toyota Highlander (2008) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Mazda Mazda3 and 2008 Toyota Highlander specs.

2012 Mazda Mazda3 and 2008 Toyota Highlander Specifications

Model Year 2012 2008  
Model Mazda Mazda3 Toyota Highlander  
Engine turbocharged
2.3L I4
DOHC-4v
263 hp@5500
280 lb-ft@3000
3.5L V6
DOHC-4v
270 hp@6200
248 lb-ft@4700
 
Transmission 6-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 177.4 in 188.4 in -11 in
Width 69.1 in 75.2 in -6.1 in
Height 57.9 in 68.1 in -10.2 in
Curb Weight 3281 lb. 3979 lb. -698 lb.
Fuel Capacity 14.5 gal. 19.2 gal. -4.7 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.1 in 40.6 in -2.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 54.9 in 59.7 in -4.8 in
Hip Room, Row 1 53.7 in 56.7 in -3 in
Legroom, Row 1 42.0 in 43.2 in -1.2 in
Headroom, Row 2 37.7 in 40.1 in -2.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 54.0 in 59.5 in -5.5 in
Hip Room, Row 2 52.2 in 56.5 in -4.3 in
Legroom, Row 2 36.2 in 38.3 in -2.1 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 17.0 ft3 10.3 ft3 6.7 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 17.0 42.3 ft3 -25.3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 42.8 ft3 95.4 ft3 -52.6 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Mazda Mazda3

2012 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Toyota Highlander

2008 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2008 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Third row seating and 2nd row has more leg room than the Murano by about 1". see full Toyota Highlander review
2008 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
4 cup holders see full Toyota Highlander review
2008 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Limo-like leg room and captains chairs see full Toyota Highlander review
2008 4dr SUV 209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid
CVT AWD
The widest seats of all Midsize SUVs (X5, Q7, Tourag, Cayenne, etc.) see full Toyota Highlander review
2008 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
seats were hard and flat. Even top of the line luxury model seats were a big disappointment . . . one of the principal reasons we did not choose this vehicle see full Toyota Highlander review
2009 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Only two seats in the 2nd row, very small leg room in the 3rd row. see full Toyota Highlander review
2008 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
3rd row seat is full bench seat and individual side can not be raised or lowered independently. Access and available room much less than MDX. see full Toyota Highlander review
 
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