Model Year | 2008 | 2008 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda5 | Subaru Forester | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Minivan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.3 in | 99.4 in | 8.9 in |
Length | 181.5 in | 176.6 in | 4.9 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 68.3 in | 0.8 in |
Height | 64.2 in | 65.0 in | -0.8 in |
Curb Weight | 3417 lb. | 3165 lb. | 252 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 15.9 gal. | 0 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.7 in | 39.8 in | 0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.5 in | 53.5 in | 2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 52.9 in | 51.6 in | 1.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 40.7 in | 43.6 in | -2.9 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.4 in | 39.7 in | -0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.6 in | 53.6 in | 2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 58.3 in | 51.6 in | 6.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.2 in | 33.7 in | 1.5 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 37.1 in | 0.0 in | 37.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 49.2 in | 0.0 in | 49.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 40.9 in | 0.0 in | 40.9 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 30.7 in | 0.0 in | 30.7 in |
Total Legroom | 106.6 in (over 3 rows) | 77.3 in (over 2 rows) | 29.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 11.3 ft3 | 32.0 ft3 | -20.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 44.4 ft3 | 32.0 | 12.4 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 70.9 ft3 | 57.7 ft3 | 13.2 ft3 |
2008 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Space for two kids or adult to sit comfortably - elderly father sits up straight and can access easily with sliding doors. Pop up seats deal with short term travel with friends/teammates. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Ample space for such a small exterior. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
3rd row in a "car" is nice - we always have the occasional 3rd or 4th child and like that they are somewhat temporarily available. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
One of the smallest vehicles with seating for 6. Going to a full size minivan removes the option for a manual transmission, severely reduces visibility and adds too much weight. SUVs are just way too big see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2007 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Rear seats fit adults or kids in car seats adequately, especially for an economy car. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Not enough leg room overall in the car. As a larger driver (6'3"), I need to push the drivers seat back. So the kid behind me has to get pushed back. Well the third row can't move back, so I've I'm driving, no one can sit in the third row driver's side and have any leg room. This is the worst for kids in full-size car seats, because the seats position their legs higher and forward of where a small adult's would be with no car seat. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2009 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The center seats are adequate for tall adults. Judicious positioning of the front and center seats should get you better results than a subcompact. The third-row rear seats are for kids only. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2009 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The back seat is made for very small folks only. The middle row seat belts are placed somewhat far back. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2009 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The six-chair setup of the 5 means that luggage space is limited, and some may find the "three rows of two" arrangement adds difficulty to monitoring children in the far rear seats. In order to carry significant cargo the seats need to be removed. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2007 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
With the seat all back, there is not much room for anyone over six feet tall. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
ample rear seat room for car seats and adults alike see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Pleanty of room for long legs in the rear seat. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Rear seat has plenty of leg room, and the roof is high for tall drivers. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Rear seats are very comfortable, lots of space, excellent for wife and kid. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Easily fits people over 6 foot in fron with plenty of room in back for passengers - much better than previous generation Forester. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Big enough for growing children; enough leg room for tall driver see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
It fits my kids (three) better than 2001 Outback, the rear seat "hump" is less proeminent than in other Subaru models (Outback namely), good hip and shoulder room see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Lost of room for the kids. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
well padded and shaped, power seat controls allows good positioning. see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
easy to find comfortable position; no problems driving over an hour or more; good upright position see full Subaru Forester review |
2008 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Great for an average women. Too narrow for fit 6 foot man, especially in the back cushion. see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
No thigh or lumbar support, seats hrad, minimal leg room for front passenger see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Not acceptable for an adult in any of the three rear seating positions see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Front driver leg room is a little cramped from side to side. see full Subaru Forester review |