Model Year | 2011 | 2006 | |
Model | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | Mazda Mazda3 | |
Engine | 2.5L I5 DOHC-4v 170 hp@5700 177 lb-ft@4250 |
2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 150 hp@6500 135 lb-ft@4500 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 5-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 101.5 in | 103.9 in | -2.4 in |
Length | 165.4 in | 176.6 in | -11.2 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 69.1 in | 1.2 in |
Height | 58.3 in | 57.7 in | 0.6 in |
Curb Weight | 3025 lb. | 2735 lb. | 290 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 14.5 gal. | 0 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.3 in | 39.1 in | 0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.7 in | 54.9 in | -0.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 54.9 in | -54.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 41.9 in | -0.7 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.5 in | 38.4 in | 0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 52.8 in | 54.0 in | -1.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 53.9 in | -53.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.5 in | 36.3 in | -0.8 in |
Total Legroom | 76.7 in (over 2 rows) | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | -1.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.0 ft3 | 17.1 ft3 | -2.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 46.0 ft3 | 31.2 ft3 | 14.8 ft3 |
2011 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Four adults can easily and comfortably fit in this car, with plenty of room for luggage. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
I have MS, so comfortable seats are a must. This is the only car that I've been in where I could do a non-stop trip from Michigan to Washington DC in. No fatigue, no stopping for a stretch. It's that good, and VW throws in standard heated seats for the GTI. And they do mean "heated" seats, not "warmed" seats, not "take-the-edge-off" seats. Turn them on full and your bum will be roasting with in a few minutes. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD |
Seats actually fit your body and have proper bolstering, unlike most other seats in this price range which are more like shelves for oversized American behinds. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Good leg room and supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Good leg room for a small car. Supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Firm, supportive seats. Not too hard. Should be excellent for long road trips. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Firm, yet comfortable. Excellent lateral support in the turns. Excellent thigh support fro taller driver. Can sit for hours and still feel comfortable. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
They are supportive with good leg support. The seat side bolsters hold driver in place. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Good room for a small car. Four adults can ride comfortably. Plenty of cargo room with the rear seats down. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
A lot of rear leg rrom when compared to the Mazda3 and A3 which I also looked at. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
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 |