Model Year | 2012 | 2014 | |
Model | Subaru Impreza / WRX | Mazda Mazda3 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 104.1 in | 106.3 in | -2.2 in |
Length | 180.3 in | 180.3 in | 0 in |
Width | 68.5 in | 70.7 in | -2.2 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 57.3 in | 0.3 in |
Curb Weight | 2911 lb. | 2799 lb. | 112 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.6 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 1.4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.7 in | 38.6 in | 1.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.6 in | 57.2 in | -1.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.2 in | 55.5 in | -2.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.5 in | 42.2 in | 1.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 37.5 in | -0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.2 in | 54.4 in | -0.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.2 in | 53.5 in | -1.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.4 in | 35.8 in | -0.4 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 78 in (over 2 rows) | 0.9 in |
Cargo Volume | 12.0 ft3 | 12.4 ft3 | -0.4 ft3 |
2012 Subaru Impreza / WRX Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 CVT AWD |
I've driven between the SF Bay Area and San Diego several times with no comfort issues. As a point of comparison, I am comfortable with long drives in a 2002 Honda Civic and I would like to burn the seats in a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
I am 6'4" tall and this is one of the few compact cars I fit into easily with room to spare. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
The rear seats actually have enough space to comfortably fit full size adults or child car seats. The doors open wide making ingress and egress easy. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Amongst small cars, this had quite comfortable rear seat room, which accommodated our car seat better than our previous Volkswagen Jetta. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Roomy inside, as well as pretty large greenhouse see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2012 Subaru Impreza / WRX Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
The lumbar support is slightly lacking for me, but I have dancer-like posture so it could just be my preference. The seats are very plush and well-designed otherwise... go sit in one. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Seats only adjust two ways, and manual adjustments at that. They're adequate for short trips but uncomfortable if you have to sit for hours. I wish there was an option for multiple power adjustments with memory. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Coming from both an MX-5 and Buick Century the cabin of the WRX is very spacious. There is good room for driver and passenger. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
I drove he car for a better part of 2 hours today. The seats were very comfortable all around in rush hour traffic on city and highway roads. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
There is no lumbar support which makes it tough for drives over 2 hours. The seats could be better for its class. I think Subaru remedied this issue in the new body style, however. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX review |
2014 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The Mazda3 also isn't a clear choice if a roomy rear seat is a top priority. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I had little room to spare. The rear seat in the Ford Focus is at least as tight, but has a more comfortably positioned cushion. A Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, or Toyota Corolla has far more rear seat room. If you like how the Mazda3 looks and drives, but need more rear seat legroom, the Mazda6 offers another three inches for another $2,100 to $3,700 (depending on trim level). see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2014 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Nice contoured, form fitting seats offer plenty of support, quite comfortable. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
2014 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Rear seat a bit tight, needs more room back there. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |