Model Year | 2016 | 2010 | |
Model | Subaru Outback | Mazda Mazda5 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr Minivan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,746 mm | 2,751 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,816 mm | 4,610 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,839 mm | 1,755 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,679 mm | 1,631 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,630 kg | 1,550 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 70 L | 60 L | 10 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 1,036 mm | 1,034 mm | 0 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,476 mm | 1,410 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,410 mm | 1,344 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,090 mm | 1,034 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 988 mm | 1,001 mm | 987 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,455 mm | 1,412 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,397 mm | 1,481 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 968 mm | 894 mm | 74 mm |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0 mm | 942 mm | -942 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0 mm | 1,250 mm | -1 mm |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0 mm | 1,039 mm | -1 mm |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0 mm | 780 mm | -780 mm |
Total Legroom | 2,057 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,708 mm (over 3 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 1,005 L | 320 L | -319 L |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 35.5 | 1,257 L | 34.5 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 2,076 L | 2,008 L | 0 L |
2016 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 |
2016 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 |
2016 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 |
2010 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
CAN SEAT 6 PEOPLE 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 manual FWD |
6-passenger seating adequate for older teens, stows away for hauling capacity. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2010 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
LAST ROW TOO SMALL FOR ADULTS 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 |
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 |
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 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 |
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 back seat is made for very small folks only. The middle row seat belts are placed somewhat far back. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |