Model Year | 2014 | 2021 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 184 hp@5700 185 lb-ft@3250 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 295 hp@6600 263 lb-ft@4700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 112.2 in | -5.9 in |
Length | 175.6 in | 194.9 in | -19.3 in |
Width | 70.7 in | 76.0 in | -5.3 in |
Height | 57.3 in | 68.1 in | -10.8 in |
Curb Weight | 3002 lb. | 4145 lb. | -1143 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 17.9 gal. | -4.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.6 in | 41.2 in | -2.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.2 in | 59.0 in | -1.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.5 in | 57.2 in | -1.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 42.0 in | 0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 39.4 in | -1.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.4 in | 58.7 in | -4.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.5 in | 57.0 in | -3.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.8 in | 41.0 in | -5.2 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 36.1 in | -36.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 45.6 in | -45.6 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 27.7 in | -27.7 in |
Total Legroom | 78 in (over 2 rows) | 110.7 in (over 3 rows) | -32.7 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 20.2 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | 4.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 20.2 | 48.4 ft3 | -28.2 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 47.1 ft3 | 84.3 ft3 | -37.2 ft3 |
2014 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The Mazda3 also isn't a clear choice if a roomy rear seat is a top priority. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I had little room to spare. The rear seat in the Ford Focus is at least as tight, but has a more comfortably positioned cushion. A Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, or Toyota Corolla has far more rear seat room. If you like how the Mazda3 looks and drives, but need more rear seat legroom, the Mazda6 offers another three inches for another $2,100 to $3,700 (depending on trim level). see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2014 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
2014 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
2021 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2020 | With each redesign (for 2008, 2014, and 2020) Toyota has enlarged the Highlander, yet the crossover's third-row seat remains uncomforably low and tight. For adults to be even passably comfortable in the way-back the second row must be slid forward, rendering legroom there also marginal. Some three-row crossovers have much roomier and more comfortable third-row seats. But if you want to be able to squeeze in eight people, Highlanders with a second-row bench can do this. Because they have significantly narrower third-row seats, the Ford Explorer and Kia Sorento cannot fit three people back there even in a pinch, so in hybrid form the former has a maximum capacity of seven people and the latter only six. (The Sorento PHEV will be able to seat seven.) This noted, if you want your adult passengers to have plenty of room, the practical capacity of each is four people. see full Toyota Highlander review |
2021 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2020 | 4dr SUV 295-horsepower 3.5L V6 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The 3rd row seating is just not for adults at all, and I'm not certain that children would be easy to fit back there as well. I'm not sure what Toyota was thinking, even making the 2020 longer didn't make any difference at all. My one complaint is it is just TOO SMALL! see full Toyota Highlander review |