Subaru Forester (2006) vs. Mazda Mazda3 (2008) Specs

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2006 Subaru Forester and 2008 Mazda Mazda3 Specifications

Model Year	2006	2008
Model	Subaru Forester	Mazda Mazda3
Engine	turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 230 hp@5600 235 lb-ft@3600	turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 263 hp@5500 280 lb-ft@3000
Transmission	5-speed manual	6-speed manual
Drivetrain	AWD	FWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Hatch
			Difference
Wheelbase	99.4 in	103.9 in	-4.5 in
Length	176.6 in	176.6 in	0 in
Width	68.3 in	69.1 in	-0.8 in
Height	65.0 in	57.7 in	7.3 in
Curb Weight	3310 lb.	3041 lb.	269 lb.
Fuel Capacity	15.9 gal.	14.5 gal.	1.4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.8 in	39.1 in	0.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	53.5 in	54.9 in	-1.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1	51.6 in	54.9 in	-3.3 in
Legroom, Row 1	43.6 in	41.9 in	1.7 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.7 in	38.4 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	53.6 in	54.0 in	-0.4 in
Hip Room, Row 2	51.6 in	53.9 in	-2.3 in
Legroom, Row 2	33.7 in	36.3 in	-2.6 in
Total Legroom	77.3 in (over 2 rows)	78.2 in (over 2 rows)	-0.9 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	32.0 ft³	17.1 ft³	14.9 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	57.7 ft³	43.8 ft³	13.9 ft³

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2006 Subaru Forester

2006 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2007	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	easy to find comfortable position; no problems driving over an hour or more; good upright position see full Subaru Forester review
2005	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	There is leg room. The seat is adjustable enough. see full Subaru Forester review

2006 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2007	4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Front driver leg room is a little cramped from side to side. see full Subaru Forester review
2007	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	No thigh or lumbar support, seats hrad, minimal leg room for front passenger see full Subaru Forester review
2007	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	Not acceptable for an adult in any of the three rear seating positions see full Subaru Forester review
2006	4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Again, cramped and too small for larger people. see full Subaru Forester review
2006	4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	This is honesty the only complaint i have about the 2006 XT. The rear seat is a bit tight. We took three other adults on about a 4 hour trip and it was a tight fit - good thing we're good friends! My wife's 2009 Forester is much better in the rear legroom department. see full Subaru Forester review
2005	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	Rear seat is just too small, but that has been fixed for the 2009 models. The front seat, actually the cabin of the car is just a bit too narrow. It needs more elbow room. see full Subaru Forester review
2005	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	Not enough elbow room. see full Subaru Forester review
2005	4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	Rear seat room is a bit tight for larger people. Car seats are a little tight in both rear and forward facing positions. see full Subaru Forester review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Mazda Mazda3

2008 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD	Kids easily able to get in/out of back (4-doors) and often able to take co-workers to lunch (both of which is much more of a hassle with 2-doors). see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008	4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Lots of leg room even with the seat all the way back 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
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

2008 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Not enough comfort-room for my son (which meant that the Mazda failed the test). see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008	4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD	good for a small child, but i would not want to ride back there for long see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008	4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Too cramped for an adult see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008	4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Tight and uncomfortable as are most other cars in this class. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2008	4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Well, when the front seats are back, there is little leg room in the back seat -- to be expected in a compact. But, the rear seats are very comfortable and can handle a wider person. 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
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 manual FWD	Rear seats are really small and tight legroom. see full Mazda Mazda3 review

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs

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