Model Year | 2009 | 2010 | |
Model | Mazda RX-8 | Mazda Mazda5 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Coupe | 4dr Minivan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 106.4 in | 108.3 in | -1.9 in |
Length | 175.6 in | 181.5 in | -5.9 in |
Width | 69.7 in | 69.1 in | 0.6 in |
Height | 52.8 in | 64.2 in | -11.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3064 lb. | 3417 lb. | -353 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 15.9 gal. | 0 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.2 in | 40.7 in | -2.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.8 in | 55.5 in | -0.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.3 in | 52.9 in | 0.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.7 in | 40.7 in | 2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 39.4 in | -2.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.9 in | 55.6 in | -0.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 48.1 in | 58.3 in | -10.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 32.2 in | 35.2 in | -3 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 37.1 in | -37.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 49.2 in | -49.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 40.9 in | -40.9 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 30.7 in | -30.7 in |
Total Legroom | 74.9 in (over 2 rows) | 106.6 in (over 3 rows) | -31.7 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 7.6 ft3 | 11.3 ft3 | -3.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 7.6 | 44.4 ft3 | -36.8 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 7.6 ft3 | 70.9 ft3 | -63.3 ft3 |
2009 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 |
2009 Mazda RX-8 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD |
The R3 Recaro seats had side bolsters that were a bit tight for us. I am below average in size as a male, and my wife is also very small and we found the bolsters cut into our hips far more than was comfortable. The seats are racing oriented only. see full Mazda RX-8 review |
2010 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
CAN SEAT 6 PEOPLE see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2010 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
2nd-row seat slide fore/aft and recline. Ample room even for larger passengers to be comfortable on long trips. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2010 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
6-passenger seating adequate for older teens, stows away for hauling capacity. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2010 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
LAST ROW TOO SMALL FOR ADULTS see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2010 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Not great support in either the seat cushion or back. However, driving position is fine. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2010 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Too small for a road trip with 6 grown men. The 2nd row is tight but not uncomfortable for me (6 ft tall). The 3rd row is for children or pets only. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
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 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 |
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 |