Volkswagen Golf / GTI Volkswagen Golf / GTI 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Mazda Mazda3 2012

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Volkswagen Golf / GTI (2017) vs. Mazda Mazda3 (2012) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2012 Mazda Mazda3 specs.

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI and 2012 Mazda Mazda3 Specifications

Model Year 2017 2012  
Model Volkswagen Golf / GTI Mazda Mazda3  
Engine  
Transmission  
Drivetrain  
Body 4dr Hatch 4dr Hatch  
      Difference
Wheelbase 103.8 in 103.9 in -0.1 in
Length 167.5 in 177.4 in -9.9 in
Width 70.8 in 69.1 in 1.7 in
Height 57.2 in 57.9 in -0.7 in
Curb Weight 2963 lb. 2896 lb. 67 lb.
Fuel Capacity 13.2 gal. 14.5 gal. -1.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.4 in 38.1 in 0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 55.9 in 54.9 in 1 in
Hip Room, Row 1 0.0 in 53.7 in -53.7 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.2 in 42.0 in -0.8 in
Headroom, Row 2 38.1 in 37.7 in 0.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 53.9 in 54.0 in -0.1 in
Hip Room, Row 2 0.0 in 52.2 in -52.2 in
Legroom, Row 2 35.6 in 36.2 in -0.6 in
Total Legroom 76.8 in (over 2 rows) 78.2 in (over 2 rows) -1.4 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 22.8 ft3 17.0 ft3 5.8 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 52.7 ft3 42.8 ft3 9.9 ft3

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearComment
2016 As I've noted before (when reviewing the e-Golf), the seventh-generation Golf's front seats are shaped and padded to provide nearly ideal comfort and support in daily driving. The CX-5's driver seat also fit me well, but not quite as well as the Volkswagen's. Compared to other compact hatchbacks and its ancestors, the current Golf has a roomy rear seat. I can sit behind my 5-9 self with about five inches of air ahead of my knees. Unless unusually tall people populate both rows, the amount of space should be beyond adequate. Compare the Golf SportWagen's rear seat to that in the CX-5, and a funny thing happens. On paper, the Mazda provides about 3.5 more inches of legroom. When sitting behind myself in both vehicles, though, I had about half as much space ahead of my knees in the CX-5. I've noticed in the past that VW measures rear legroom very conservatively, and apparently they continue to do so. The Golf's interior is roomier than the official specs suggest. Plus its rear seat passengers get air vents. The Mazda's do not. This said, I'm not entirely comfortable in the Golf SportWagen's rear seat. To me it feels overly reclined. In neither the GSW nor the CX-5 is the degree of recline adjustable. It is in some compact crossovers. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI

2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Difficult ingress and egress see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Mazda Mazda3

2012 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
2012 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
2012 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Rear seat is rather tight, worse than my old Protege5 see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2012 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
It's a joke. You can't fit anything in the back seat aside from children and/or groceries/shopping. Putting an adult back there will require a sincere apology, and possibly a written note and gift bottle of wine. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2012 4dr Sedan 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Non of either if the front seats are all the way back, but rear seat room is NOT a factor for me. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2012 4dr Sedan 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I bought this car to replace a 2004 Mazda 6i Hatchback that I truly loved (got rear-ended and totaled). I did not like the 2012 Mazda 6 at all (or the milage it got), so I went the 3 with Skyactiv. The rear seat and rear legroom is just a bit too small. If it were a tad larger, this would be a awesome car, but the great mileage I get offsets this to a certain degree. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2011 4dr Sedan 104-horsepower 1.6L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Seating room is borderline for 2 adults, particularly leg room. 3 adults virtually impossible. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2011 4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The Mazda3 is not a vehicle for transporting more than 2 people. The backseat is cramped for a full-size adult. However, when required, they will fit. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
 
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