Subaru Outback (2015) vs. Mazda Mazda3 (2006) Specs

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2015 Subaru Outback and 2006 Mazda Mazda3 Specifications

Model Year	2015	2006
Model	Subaru Outback	Mazda Mazda3
Engine	3.6L H6 DOHC-4v 256 hp@6000 247 lb-ft@4400	2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 160 hp@6500 150 lb-ft@4500
Transmission	6-speed shiftable CVT	5-speed manual
Drivetrain	AWD	FWD
Body	4dr Wagon	4dr Hatch
			Difference
Wheelbase	108.1 in	103.9 in	4.2 in
Length	189.6 in	176.6 in	13 in
Width	72.4 in	69.1 in	3.3 in
Height	66.1 in	57.7 in	8.4 in
Curb Weight	3810 lb.	2808 lb.	1002 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	14.5 gal.	4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.8 in	39.1 in	1.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	58.1 in	54.9 in	3.2 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.5 in	54.9 in	0.6 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.9 in	41.9 in	1 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.9 in	38.4 in	0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	57.3 in	54.0 in	3.3 in
Hip Room, Row 2	55.0 in	53.9 in	1.1 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.1 in	36.3 in	1.8 in
Total Legroom	81 in (over 2 rows)	78.2 in (over 2 rows)	2.8 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	35.5 ft³	17.1 ft³	18.4 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	73.3 ft³	31.2 ft³	42.1 ft³

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2015 Subaru Outback

2015 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	Through the 2009 model year, the Outback (and the related Legacy sedan) had a tight back seat. Though marketed as a midsize car, it was actually a compact. The 2010 redesign dramatically expanded the Outback's interior, especially in the back seat. The 2015 redesign added another inch of shoulder room, such that the Outback (and Legacy) are now not only truly midsize, but rank among the roomiest midsize cars. Rear air vents are offered--in Outbacks with leather. So the tested car lacked them. Some compact crossovers, including the Cherokee, are about as roomy, but they achieve their specs through a more upright seating position. People in the back seat are closer to the front seats, so they don't feel like they have as much room even though they have just as much space for their legs. But they get rear air vents even in the lower trim levels. see full Subaru Outback review

2015 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	The front seats have an unusually high bulge just below my shoulder blades. This feels more odd than uncomfortable, at least to me. The driver's lumbar adjusts, but this affects the area below said bulge. Partly depending on your height your experience might vary. These seats also provide very little lateral support, which admittedly isn't much of an issue given the non-sporting character (and non-sporting tires) of the Outback. I had no such qualms with the armrest on the door. It's wide and cushy. In the front seats' favor, for 2015 Subaru has added fore-aft adjustability to the headrests, a rarity in recent moderately priced cars. The Jeep's cloth seats are too squishy, but they're more form-fittting than the Subaru's, and I find them more comfortable. see full Subaru Outback review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2015 Subaru Outback

2015 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2016	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	see full Subaru Outback review
2016	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	see full Subaru Outback review
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	The front seats are very comfy, and the seat heaters are powerful and warm up quickly. We compared the car to a 2014 Forrester, and we think the OB seats are more comfy-- they have more thigh support. see full Subaru Outback review
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	The rear seats are much more comfy than in the old Outback. They took a couple of inches out of the cargo area to give the rear seat more room. The reclining seatback for the rear seats is a nice comfort as well. see full Subaru Outback review

2015 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Wagon 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	Minor complaint-- like every other Japanese car I've ever owned, this one also doesn't seem to understand that feet get cold. The heater is great- it provides lots of heat, and quickly. But when you you set it to floor, the hot air hits you in the lower calf, and then rises. The heat never makes it to your feet! see full Subaru Outback 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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