Model Year | 2012 | 2012 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 256 hp@4300 243 lb-ft@2400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 101.5 in | 2.4 in |
Length | 177.4 in | 165.4 in | 12 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 70.3 in | -1.2 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 58.3 in | -0.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3281 lb. | 3326 lb. | -45 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 0 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 39.3 in | -1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 54.7 in | 0.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.7 in | 0.0 in | 53.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 41.2 in | 0.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.7 in | 38.5 in | -0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 52.8 in | 1.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.2 in | 0.0 in | 52.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.2 in | 35.5 in | 0.7 in |
Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 76.7 in (over 2 rows) | 1.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 17.0 ft3 | 15.0 ft3 | 2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 42.8 ft3 | 46.0 ft3 | -3.2 ft3 |
2012 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 |
2012 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 |
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 |
2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Four adults can easily and comfortably fit in this car, with plenty of room for luggage. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD |
Seats actually fit your body and have proper bolstering, unlike most other seats in this price range which are more like shelves for oversized American behinds. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Good leg room and supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Good leg room for a small car. Supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
I have MS, so comfortable seats are a must. This is the only car that I've been in where I could do a non-stop trip from Michigan to Washington DC in. No fatigue, no stopping for a stretch. It's that good, and VW throws in standard heated seats for the GTI. And they do mean "heated" seats, not "warmed" seats, not "take-the-edge-off" seats. Turn them on full and your bum will be roasting with in a few minutes. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Firm, supportive seats. Not too hard. Should be excellent for long road trips. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Firm, yet comfortable. Excellent lateral support in the turns. Excellent thigh support fro taller driver. Can sit for hours and still feel comfortable. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |