Model Year | 2008 | 2020 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda5 | Subaru Legacy | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Minivan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.3 in | 108.3 in | 0 in |
Length | 181.5 in | 190.6 in | -9.1 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 72.4 in | -3.3 in |
Height | 64.2 in | 59.1 in | 5.1 in |
Curb Weight | 3417 lb. | 3499 lb. | -82 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 18.5 gal. | -2.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.7 in | 39.4 in | 1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.5 in | 58.1 in | -2.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 52.9 in | 0.0 in | 52.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 40.7 in | 42.8 in | -2.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.4 in | 37.2 in | 2.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.6 in | 57.4 in | -1.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 58.3 in | 0.0 in | 58.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.2 in | 39.5 in | -4.3 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) | 82.3 in (over 2 rows) | 24.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 11.3 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | -3.8 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 44.4 ft3 | 15.1 | 29.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 70.9 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | 55.8 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 |
2020 Subaru Legacy Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2021 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 260hp 2.4L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Front seats are softly padded in a way that is uncommon in modern vehicles. Driver's seat adjustments are above average, as there is an adjustable thigh support. Passenger seats lack lumbar adjustment and thigh support extensions, but have full 8-way power including seat-bottom tilt and height adjustment.
---
Some drivers complain the lumbar support is intrusive, while others complain it's too subtle. Remember to sit in a seat and get a feel for yourself, as it is very subjective.
---
The driver's seat has the option of a facial recognition system that is fairly reliable if used correctly and a useful feature that is not common in other cars. Memory buttons remain on the door for those that prefer them.
---
The details that count: According to the owner's manual, the facial recognition system's software is open-source and data remains in the vehicle.
---
|
2020 Subaru Legacy Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2021 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 260hp 2.4L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
The Mazda6 has a smaller rear seat, no way around it. That being said, I find it to be more richly appointed than the Legacy's with the same great materials as up-front and cool touches: the USB ports are in the center armrest with a covered storage cubby, and the rear seat heaters are 3-level with controls in the armrest. These touches are reminiscent of very high-end luxury cars and are more convenient locations in general. The Mazda's heated rear seats also seem to be stronger than the Legacy's. --- The seats follow the same theme as the front in both cars- softer/plusher in the Legacy, firmer but well shaped in the Mazda. --- The front seat-backs are more upscale in the Mazda, and the rear seat of the Mazda has ambient lighting in the door pockets (unlike the Legacy). Overall, the rear cabin of the Mazda is snugger but remains comfortable while carrying on the quality and elegance of the front. For space though, the Legacy still grabs a Win here. see full Subaru Legacy review |