Mazda RX-8 (2008) vs. Mazda Mazda3 (2006) Specs

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2008 Mazda RX-8 and 2006 Mazda Mazda3 Specifications

Model Year	2008	2006
Model	Mazda RX-8	Mazda Mazda3
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
Body	4dr Coupe	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	106.4 in	103.9 in	2.5 in
Length	174.3 in	178.3 in	-4 in
Width	69.7 in	69.1 in	0.6 in
Height	52.8 in	57.7 in	-4.9 in
Curb Weight	3045 lb.	2758 lb.	287 lb.
Fuel Capacity	15.9 gal.	14.5 gal.	1.4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	38.2 in	39.1 in	-0.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	54.8 in	54.9 in	-0.1 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.3 in	54.9 in	-1.6 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.7 in	41.9 in	0.8 in
Headroom, Row 2	36.8 in	37.4 in	-0.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	54.9 in	54.0 in	0.9 in
Hip Room, Row 2	48.1 in	53.9 in	-5.8 in
Legroom, Row 2	32.2 in	36.3 in	-4.1 in
Total Legroom	74.9 in (over 2 rows)	78.2 in (over 2 rows)	-3.3 in
Cargo Volume	7.6 ft³	11.4 ft³	-3.8 ft³

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Mazda RX-8

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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2006 Mazda Mazda3

2006 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2007	4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Lots of leg space & head room, and seat adjustments possible. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007	4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Very sporty seats, excellent lumber support. Seats will ensure that you stay where you are supposed to be, even in tight cornering. After a straight 12hr trip, the seat still feels comfortable. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2006	4dr Sedan 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	For a small car there is more than adequate leg and shoulder room for two average sized adults. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2006	4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	One of the very few small cars which have a telescopic steering wheel - great for switching between short and tall drivers, pedals placed well for comfort, gear shifter just the right length, and clutch is goldilocks as well - just right. see full Mazda Mazda3 review

2006 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2007	4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Rear seats are really small and tight legroom. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007	4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	The Mazda 3 has very limited footroom except when the driver is of very small stature.it helps somewhat if you puchsae the model with the height adjustable seat.seat fabric on the none leather models goes bally,and becomes difficult to clean!! see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2007	4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	This IS a smaller car. That being said, if the front seats are all the way back, people in the back had better sit Indian-style on the seats. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2006	4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Front seats are very uncomfortable. The side bolsters are hard and push your shoulders forward. The seat bolsters dig into your leg on the left side. The head restraints push your neck and head too far forward. The seat bottom is too hard. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2006	4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	small rear seat for adults see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2006	4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	If you are over 6 foot like me, make sure you are not in the back. That simple. The folding seats on the hatchback are flexible though for longer items. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2006	4dr Sedan 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	The rear seat is very comfortable for small to average sized people, even for long trips. However, those with long legs will find themselves cramped for legroom. The low roof in the back adds to that cramped feeling. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2006	4dr Sedan 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Not a lot of room for four large adults. In a pinch I have squeezed five in, but for short trips. Trunk opening is oddly shaped and often I find myself loading/unloading through the lowered rear seats for larger items. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2005	4dr Sedan 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	the leather is cheap and the seat is not comfortable see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2005	4dr Hatch 160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	There is none. Its rediculous how little rear leg room there is given the size of the car. My much smaller Mazda Protege that this replaced had substantially more. And don't even think about getting a rear facing car seat back there. see full Mazda Mazda3 review

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