Model Year | 2008 | 2014 | |
Model | Mazda RX-8 | Honda Fit | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Coupe | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 106.4 in | 98.4 in | 8 in |
Length | 174.3 in | 161.6 in | 12.7 in |
Width | 69.7 in | 66.7 in | 3 in |
Height | 52.8 in | 60.0 in | -7.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3045 lb. | 3252 lb. | -207 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 10.6 gal. | 5.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.2 in | 40.4 in | -2.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.8 in | 52.7 in | 2.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.3 in | 51.5 in | 1.8 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.7 in | 41.3 in | 1.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 39.0 in | -2.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.9 in | 51.3 in | 3.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 48.1 in | 51.3 in | -3.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 32.2 in | 34.5 in | -2.3 in |
Total Legroom | 74.9 in (over 2 rows) | 75.8 in (over 2 rows) | -0.9 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 7.6 ft3 | 20.6 ft3 | -13 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 7.6 ft3 | 57.3 ft3 | -49.7 ft3 |
2008 Mazda RX-8 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
Very comfortable Recaro seats, even on long drives. Larger people may not be comfortable so beware. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2009 | 4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
Given the RX-8's compact dimensions, you wouldn't expect rear seat space to be a strength. But thanks to clever packaging and a subtly high roofline, there is actually space for real adults in back, provided those up front are short or move their seats up somewhat. With a pair of pickup-like rear-opening "half" rear doors, ingress and egress for rear seat passengers is a snap. For those who want a sports car but have children or need to transport a few friends occassionally, the RX-8 fits the bill nicely. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2007 | 4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Excellent for long trips. Even though I suffer from spinal stenosis, I did a two-day 1800 mile trip with no troubles and felt great on arrival. Most modern cars have comfortable seats, but these also make me feel like I am part of the car. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2014 Honda Fit Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The new Honda Fit's first row has a a few more inches of elbow room than those in the Versa Note and Fiesta. Consequently, it feels like a larger car--unless you also need leg room. Then it's no better than the Nissan. Drivers with long legs will wish the front seat could slide back farther--but this would cramp the magic style of the rear seat. Even drivers of middling height (e.g. me) might find the driver seat uncomfortable. The headrest and non-adjustable lumbar bulge both jut well forward. Depending on your personal size and shape, this might or might not be an issue. Pay close attention before you buy. see full Honda Fit review |
2014 Honda Fit Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
The best in this category (when you take into consideration the size of the trunk). see full Honda Fit review |
2014 Honda Fit Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Seat bottoms are typical Japanese style short bottomed and not conducive to long duration drives. see full Honda Fit review |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 117-horsepower 1.5L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
One more thing. Rear seat comfort was obviously not a big selling point, nor a necessary feature. But one piece of it was worse than it had to be: the rear seat headrests. The artful circular shape and limited adjustment made the rear seats even harder to use; the headrest would tend to jab passengers in their spine. A better solution which was more even with the seat back would really have helped here. see full Honda Fit review |