Mazda Mazda3 Mazda Mazda3 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2012

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

Mazda Mazda3 (2012) vs. Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2012) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Mazda Mazda3 and 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI specs.

2012 Mazda Mazda3 and 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Specifications

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 2,639 mm 2,578 mm 0 mm
Length 4,506 mm 4,201 mm 0 mm
Width 1,755 mm 1,786 mm 0 mm
Height 1,471 mm 1,481 mm 0 mm
Curb Weight 1,488 kg 1,509 kg 0 kg
Fuel Capacity 55 L 55 L 0 L
Headroom, Row 1 968 mm 998 mm -30 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 1 1,394 mm 1,389 mm 0 mm
Hip Room, Row 1 1,364 mm 0 mm 1 mm
Legroom, Row 1 1,067 mm 1,046 mm 0 mm
Headroom, Row 2 958 mm 978 mm -20 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 2 1,372 mm 1,341 mm 0 mm
Hip Room, Row 2 1,326 mm 0 mm 1 mm
Legroom, Row 2 919 mm 902 mm 17 mm
Total Legroom 1,986 mm (over 2 rows) 1,948 mm (over 2 rows) 0 mm
Cargo Volume, Minimum 481 L 425 L 56 L
Cargo Volume, Maximum 1,212 L 1,303 L 0 L

Return to top

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 2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Hatchbacks.
See TrueDelta's information for all Mazda models.