Model Year | 2014 | 2014 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | 2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 184 hp@5700 185 lb-ft@3250 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5300 207 lb-ft@1700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed automated manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 2dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,540 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,460 mm | 4,277 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,796 mm | 1,808 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,455 mm | 1,486 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,362 kg | 1,408 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 50 L | 55 L | -5 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 980 mm | 1,001 mm | 979 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,453 mm | 1,405 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,410 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,072 mm | 1,049 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 955 mm | 942 mm | 13 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,382 mm | 1,245 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,359 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 909 mm | 798 mm | 111 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,981 mm (over 2 rows) | 1,847 mm (over 2 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 572 L | 436 L | 136 L |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 1,334 L | 847 L | -846 L |
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 |
2014 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | Back in the 1960s VW entreated Americans to "think small." Lately, though, the German manufacturers cars have been getting bigger and bigger. The latest redesign added over two inches to the car's length (now 168 inches) and over two inches to its width (now a midsize-like 71.2 inches. Compared to the 146-by-66-inch, 2,822-pound Mini and the 140-by-64-inch, 2,434-pound Fiat, the 3,340-pound Beetle TDI convertible is a big, heavy car. As noted earlier, solidity and ride quality benefit from this additional bulk. But rear seat room does not. Sure, the Beetle Convertible's rear seat is more viable than the MINI's, but bars to clear rarely come lower. The Fiat is in the same (adults-in-a-pinch) ballpark. In addition to the space shortage, the VW's rear seat back is uncomfortably upright. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |
2014 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The back seat, if you could really call it that, leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe another 3 in. That being said it fits a car seat with my 6' frame in the front seat ahead of it, so it gets the job done. Once the top goes down the interior space seems adequate. see full Volkswagen Beetle review |