Model Year | 2008 | 2006 | |
Model | Saab 9-3 | Mazda Mazda3 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 105.3 in | 103.9 in | 1.4 in |
Length | 182.5 in | 178.3 in | 4.2 in |
Width | 69.0 in | 69.1 in | -0.1 in |
Height | 56.8 in | 57.7 in | -0.9 in |
Curb Weight | 3230 lb. | 2758 lb. | 472 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.4 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 1.9 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.9 in | 39.1 in | -0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 56.3 in | 54.9 in | 1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 54.9 in | -54.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.3 in | 41.9 in | 0.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.0 in | 37.4 in | -0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.1 in | 54.0 in | 1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 53.9 in | -53.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.1 in | 36.3 in | -1.2 in |
Total Legroom | 77.4 in (over 2 rows) | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | -0.8 in |
Cargo Volume | 15.0 ft3 | 11.4 ft3 | 3.6 ft3 |
2008 Saab 9-3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Great seats! see full Saab 9-3 review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Great seats. Very supportive of back and upper thighs. Don't have tightness in shoulders and neck anymore on long drives. see full Saab 9-3 review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I can drive this car further than any other car I have driven and still be comfortable see full Saab 9-3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Very, very confortable seats. see full Saab 9-3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Front seat was firm and comfortable in recent 3 hour rides. see full Saab 9-3 review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Particularly comfortable for tall drivers see full Saab 9-3 review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Plenty of shoulder and leg room. Seats are deep enough. see full Saab 9-3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Saabs have had great seats forever. Nothing has changed... nice and firm, perfect bolstering. see full Saab 9-3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Big seats that support long legged people, and comfortable on long drives. see full Saab 9-3 review |
2008 Saab 9-3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Limited knee room in front with rear facing car seat behind. see full Saab 9-3 review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The seats are very comfortable, but those with longer legs (especially thighs) might have trouble getting in a comfortable position. Tall drivers may find some awkwardness with all around reach. I.E. The steering wheel doesn't telescope far enough f see full Saab 9-3 review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual AWD |
No space. see full Saab 9-3 review |
2007 | 2dr Convertible turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD |
not bad for a convertible but if you regularly have more than 2 passengers rear seat is tight to get in and out with top up. see full Saab 9-3 review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Seemed narrow and cramped. see full Saab 9-3 review |
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 |