Model Year | 2006 | 2009 | |
Model | Subaru Outback | Mazda Mazda5 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr Minivan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 108.3 in | -3.2 in |
Length | 188.7 in | 181.5 in | 7.2 in |
Width | 69.7 in | 69.1 in | 0.6 in |
Height | 63.2 in | 64.2 in | -1 in |
Curb Weight | 3320 lb. | 3417 lb. | -97 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.9 gal. | 15.9 gal. | 1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.5 in | 40.7 in | -0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.4 in | 55.5 in | -1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 51.0 in | 52.9 in | -1.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 44.1 in | 40.7 in | 3.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.1 in | 39.4 in | -0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.7 in | 55.6 in | -1.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.6 in | 58.3 in | -5.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 33.9 in | 35.2 in | -1.3 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 | 78 in (over 2 rows) | 106.6 in (over 3 rows) | -28.6 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 33.5 ft3 | 11.3 ft3 | 22.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 33.5 | 44.4 ft3 | -10.9 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 66.2 ft3 | 70.9 ft3 | -4.7 ft3 |
2006 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Leg and head room lacking for over 6 footers. see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Seat back a bit low for 6 footers. see full Subaru Outback review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I was amazed at how small the back seat is in this car. Really no bigger than a compact sedan, eg Civic or Corolla. I can't fit my 3 kids (in car seats) back there, and feel bad when co-workers pile in to go to lunch. Surprisingly small for a vehicle this size, and marketed as a "family car." If you plan to put adults or 3 kids back there regularly, look at the '10 or newer (or at something else -- the rear seat in my co-worker's Accord is far bigger and more comfortable). see full Subaru Outback review |
2006 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Too small for kids see full Subaru Outback review |
2006 | 4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Too short! I am 6ft tall and the front passenger seat leaves me feeling very cramped. Drivers position is better. Seats also too narrow. Maybe plenty of room for skinny folks, but not for us folks that are large boned :-) see full Subaru Outback review |
2005 | 4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
The Outback is much smaller (but not cheaper) than the XC70. see full Subaru Outback review |
2005 | 4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
very tight and narrow rear seat room. feels much bumpier in the rear seat than the front seat. see full Subaru Outback review |
2009 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 | 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 shiftable automatic FWD |
CAN SEAT 6 PEOPLE see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
One of the smallest vehicles with seating for 6. Going to a full size minivan removes the option for a manual transmission, severely reduces visibility and adds too much weight. SUVs are just way too big see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Ample space for such a small exterior. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Space for two kids or adult to sit comfortably - elderly father sits up straight and can access easily with sliding doors. Pop up seats deal with short term travel with friends/teammates. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
3rd row in a "car" is nice - we always have the occasional 3rd or 4th child and like that they are somewhat temporarily available. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2009 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
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 |
LAST ROW TOO SMALL FOR ADULTS 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 |
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 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 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 |