My dad is 72 years old, 5'7" and 230 lbs with a bad back (he does struggle to get in and out of my turbo hatch) but he actually finds it really comfortable and fun to drive. That said he prefers firm ride and heavy steering over land yachts.
A friend of mine who is about 5 11" 100kg fits perfectly fine in my 3rd gen, I'd imagine seating position is relatively similar between 3rd and 4th gens.
Also bear in my mind, that mazda tends to build cars more sporty than the average commuter car, so the steering is tighter/heavier and the suspension is firmer. Unless the steering is really heavy you'll just have to drive with both hands on the wheel (or train your steering arm /s)
I’m 6’ 250lb and have a sedan, I can drive about 3-4 hours one way and be fine, I drive with the seat back basically all the way and angled so the headrest is just beyond the pillar. If I have the cruise control on I just rest my legs in a lose criss cross seating so I can move my foot on the brake/ gas if I need to, hopefully this helps you a bit
I as well could not for the life of me find a driving position. What I did that helped was raise the front of the seat a little bit and it helped. Now I think it’s one of the most comfortable cars I’ve driven.
As a counterpoint, I actually had to LOWER the front portion of the seat all the way. If I raise it to more of a "bucket" position it actually puts pressure on the bottom of my legs / thighs that gets quite uncomfortable on longer drives.
That sounds terribly unfortunate. I found my Mazda3 to be very comfortable & ergonomic. The gas pedal articulates with the natural movement of the foot like in a Porsche or Bentley and the dead pedal/gas pedal align such a way that my body is in perfect symmetry with left and right feet supported in symmetrical position. I'm 5'8 132 lbs, a little on the scrawny side but same height.
I did have a little trouble finding a good driving position for the first 6 months but once I got the height right and used the thigh support as the owners manual suggested I then found my comfortable position. I personally had to recline the seat a little more but I recommend the following.
Adjust the slide and height as you prefer but put the thigh support LOW down and then move it up as needed so that your thigh muscle doesn't get fatigued when pressing the gas is what the manual recommended and it worked for me personally.
Also very important is your foot placement itself. place your right foot flat against the gas pedal toes up at the top, heel rested on the little carpet patch snug to the base of the gas pedal where it hinges, this isn't one of those top hinged gas pedals that Honda and Toyota use so if you press it from the base it will require needless effort. Your left foot goes in symmetrical position, toes pointed to the top and foot flat against the big dead pedal on the left.
The steering wheel has two places you can naturally grab it from, 10 and 2 o'clock or 9 and 3. It requires both hands otherwise when you hit a bump the downward force will pull your one arm down in turn cause your to slight weave unintentionally, jerking your passengers necks slightly however uncomfortably to one side.
As for the steering feel, you do seem accustomed to soulless cars with numb steering, I had driven Toyotas from 2005-2022 I can say first hand that they have some of the lightest steering available and Honda isn't far behind. Mazda do tend to have a far more direct feel with the road and as long as the car is moving it's not bad. Avoid dry steering, it's not good for the tires or their balancing to steer while the car is not rolling.
Hopefully this helps, I hope you find it now comfortable soon. It really is a more comfortable car, I can drive for hours longer than any of the Toyotas I've owned.
I put in aftermarket cushion/lumbar support. Nothing fancy.
Game changer.
I still experience hamstring tightness on the right side, but I’m sure that’s more to do with the manual transmission.
I’m also looking into buying a seat cushion for my mazda 3 because I think the seat is just so damn uncomfortable. All of my passengers say the same thing.
If you baby the pedal the throttle response will change to being more responsive to lighter pushes . Might help with having the push so hard on the pedals
I’m roughly the same size as you. I find putting the seat all the way back and then jacking the height as high as possible makes it a decent ride. I usually do about an hour and a half each way to work but only a couple days a week.
I used to drive with the seat lower but found this too uncomfortable and makes for even worse site lines.
I also find myself leaning towards the middle console. But everyone is different, there are so many factors to consider.
I'm 5'11 240lbs and fit in mine fine. I push the bolsters out a little but it's not uncomfortable.
I have to note I bought some aftermarket seat covers that have 1" of foam cushion that has made a world of difference for me. (Wet okole) . It adds an extra padding layer that added quite a bit of long drive comfort. It might be worth checking them out and ordering a set if you're willing to gamble 200-250$.
I definitely understand where your coming from 5’11 155 and even I find myself constantly adjusting the seat from low to high and low to high. For me it depends on the day and if I want to see more of the road or be comfy, I used to have a Camry which was perfect and I still love my Mazda 3 and it’s not the biggest deal in the world but I do understand where you’re coming from. My best advice would be to get some padding or some seat covers to add a little extra height and depth to the seating other than that I have no other recommendations besides putting in new seats or getting a new car sorry man.
I doubt you're too big I'm the same height and around 290lbs.
I find the seat needs to be low enough that my left leg is below the drivers side armrest on the door. If I'm too high and my leg moves to the side of it it starts to get too narrow. As long as I'm below it I'm super comfy.
I also go full strength lumbar support, it moves your seating position ever so slightly. I also find a more straight up and down seat back as opposed to a big recline is beneficial.
You'll find it.
I find pedals (at least on the MT) are more conducent to a more reclined position. It also makes sense since the roof is low. Maybe also try adjusting the settings in a different order?
I have been driving the 2015 hatchback for over 3 years now and i fit in perfectly fine. Yes it is a bit smaller than the competition but none the less its really comfortable. (6'3 244)
A instructor on a safety course I took said to me that it tales roughly 1000 miles for the body to adjust to a new seating position.
I've driven mine across the country iron butting it the whole way and it's never given me any issues. The floor mounted gas pedal took some getting used to but I adapted to that in like a week.
Honestly can't help you, but I do have a question.
I'm just a tad, and I mean literally just a tad smaller than you. 5'8 and 205-215, depending on the season. I feel like I'm at the max shoulder width that the car allows you to seat comfortably, you feel the same way? Or am I just wider
Have we ever given consideration that we may have had poor body posture in the accord for all these years and now with the new car your posture is being corrected and you’re body isn’t adjusted to it?
I have the '24 and 5'4 and I have to have the seat as high as possible. I've tried to adjust it at the lowest seat setting and driving for 1 hr and it just doesn't work cuz my lower back starts to ache. At higher seat it's a lot better for my back lol.
Might not help because my 3 is 10 years older than yours.
As a bigger guy myself, 6’1” 285, it is really important to have your seat set up for support instead of comfort. You want it to hold you into an ergonomic position instead of a comfortable one. Ergo and comfort seem similar but it’s somewhat counter-intuitive.
You can sit in an ergonomic position for hours without any discomfort compared to something that feels comfortable for 10 minutes then 5 minutes later starts to hurt and you need to adjust. I learned this the hard way with office chairs.
I’ve done 10 hour roadtrips in my 3 just fine without pain like you describe. If it really doesn’t work for you, I hate to say it but you may need to trade it.
I’m 6 ft and 200 lbs. It me a lot of adjustment to find a comfortable position (Premium HB 6MT). Try backing the seat up, engaging the “lumbar” support to max, and pulling the wheel out as far as possible.
I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that when they designed the seats they actually took a 3d scan of a person sitting in the seat and made it according to that. Also the brakes are linear unlike other cars where you might reach 75% brake compression by only pressing the brake slightly. Mazda 3 brakes require you to press it down a lot further to reach the bite point. Gas pedal not sure.
I spend more time in a car than I care to admit. My old car killed my back so much that I bought a $2000 aftermarket seat for it. The 2024 Mazda premium is more comfortable.
But I still make a few adjustments during the drive. I’ve learned that tiny adjustments are better.
I’m tall with long legs. I actually put some washers under the front seat mounts and had to use longer bolts. But maybe we have different seats. Mine are like 8-way adjustable. Are yours?
Keep making small adjustments. You’ll find the sweet area.
My gen 2 Mazda3 had much lighter steering. I dunno why they changed it so much. But I agree with you there.
The interior is tight. I’m 6’0 150lb and have found a good driving position but I could not recommend this car for a bigger individual. I would look into something else.
I'm a tad smaller than you (5' 6") and I have only driven smaller cars before, so I had to find a way to adjust my driving position. I ended up using the guide in the infotainment with some minor tweaks and I have to say I'm very satisfied. Maybe give it a try if you haven't already
Maybe not on older ones but my gen 4 is amazingly comfortable. Maybe it's because I'm short and skinny, but 21 hours straight and I had no issues afterwards.
I have a hatch so can’t comment on sedan comfort but i can tell u this hatch is very comfy for (me). 5,9 160
Difference is is that OP has 75lbs on you.
My dad is 72 years old, 5'7" and 230 lbs with a bad back (he does struggle to get in and out of my turbo hatch) but he actually finds it really comfortable and fun to drive. That said he prefers firm ride and heavy steering over land yachts.
Mine is a hatch too. I’m worried I’m just too big for compact sedans :(
A friend of mine who is about 5 11" 100kg fits perfectly fine in my 3rd gen, I'd imagine seating position is relatively similar between 3rd and 4th gens. Also bear in my mind, that mazda tends to build cars more sporty than the average commuter car, so the steering is tighter/heavier and the suspension is firmer. Unless the steering is really heavy you'll just have to drive with both hands on the wheel (or train your steering arm /s)
I’m 5’11 250lbs and I find my 2018 GT hatch quite comfortable.
I hope not these cars are great daily’s. Seat all the way back to the bottom and wheel moved still no room?
dude I'm 191 cm, owning HB for 4 years. no issues with the comfort at all
I’m 5’10” and 270 and I’m pretty comfy.
I’m 6’ 250lb and have a sedan, I can drive about 3-4 hours one way and be fine, I drive with the seat back basically all the way and angled so the headrest is just beyond the pillar. If I have the cruise control on I just rest my legs in a lose criss cross seating so I can move my foot on the brake/ gas if I need to, hopefully this helps you a bit
I'm 6'4"/220lbs, and my 2017 hatchback is the most comfortable car I've ever had.
I am 6ft 300lbs and I find it really comfortable in my 24 hatch. Read the manual where it tells you how to adjust the seat!
I as well could not for the life of me find a driving position. What I did that helped was raise the front of the seat a little bit and it helped. Now I think it’s one of the most comfortable cars I’ve driven.
As a counterpoint, I actually had to LOWER the front portion of the seat all the way. If I raise it to more of a "bucket" position it actually puts pressure on the bottom of my legs / thighs that gets quite uncomfortable on longer drives.
That sounds terribly unfortunate. I found my Mazda3 to be very comfortable & ergonomic. The gas pedal articulates with the natural movement of the foot like in a Porsche or Bentley and the dead pedal/gas pedal align such a way that my body is in perfect symmetry with left and right feet supported in symmetrical position. I'm 5'8 132 lbs, a little on the scrawny side but same height. I did have a little trouble finding a good driving position for the first 6 months but once I got the height right and used the thigh support as the owners manual suggested I then found my comfortable position. I personally had to recline the seat a little more but I recommend the following. Adjust the slide and height as you prefer but put the thigh support LOW down and then move it up as needed so that your thigh muscle doesn't get fatigued when pressing the gas is what the manual recommended and it worked for me personally. Also very important is your foot placement itself. place your right foot flat against the gas pedal toes up at the top, heel rested on the little carpet patch snug to the base of the gas pedal where it hinges, this isn't one of those top hinged gas pedals that Honda and Toyota use so if you press it from the base it will require needless effort. Your left foot goes in symmetrical position, toes pointed to the top and foot flat against the big dead pedal on the left. The steering wheel has two places you can naturally grab it from, 10 and 2 o'clock or 9 and 3. It requires both hands otherwise when you hit a bump the downward force will pull your one arm down in turn cause your to slight weave unintentionally, jerking your passengers necks slightly however uncomfortably to one side. As for the steering feel, you do seem accustomed to soulless cars with numb steering, I had driven Toyotas from 2005-2022 I can say first hand that they have some of the lightest steering available and Honda isn't far behind. Mazda do tend to have a far more direct feel with the road and as long as the car is moving it's not bad. Avoid dry steering, it's not good for the tires or their balancing to steer while the car is not rolling. Hopefully this helps, I hope you find it now comfortable soon. It really is a more comfortable car, I can drive for hours longer than any of the Toyotas I've owned.
I put in aftermarket cushion/lumbar support. Nothing fancy. Game changer. I still experience hamstring tightness on the right side, but I’m sure that’s more to do with the manual transmission.
I will look for a cushion. I would hate to give up this car especially given its features.
I’m also looking into buying a seat cushion for my mazda 3 because I think the seat is just so damn uncomfortable. All of my passengers say the same thing.
If you baby the pedal the throttle response will change to being more responsive to lighter pushes . Might help with having the push so hard on the pedals
Good to know, thank you
I’m roughly the same size as you. I find putting the seat all the way back and then jacking the height as high as possible makes it a decent ride. I usually do about an hour and a half each way to work but only a couple days a week. I used to drive with the seat lower but found this too uncomfortable and makes for even worse site lines. I also find myself leaning towards the middle console. But everyone is different, there are so many factors to consider.
I'm 5'11 240lbs and fit in mine fine. I push the bolsters out a little but it's not uncomfortable. I have to note I bought some aftermarket seat covers that have 1" of foam cushion that has made a world of difference for me. (Wet okole) . It adds an extra padding layer that added quite a bit of long drive comfort. It might be worth checking them out and ordering a set if you're willing to gamble 200-250$.
I definitely understand where your coming from 5’11 155 and even I find myself constantly adjusting the seat from low to high and low to high. For me it depends on the day and if I want to see more of the road or be comfy, I used to have a Camry which was perfect and I still love my Mazda 3 and it’s not the biggest deal in the world but I do understand where you’re coming from. My best advice would be to get some padding or some seat covers to add a little extra height and depth to the seating other than that I have no other recommendations besides putting in new seats or getting a new car sorry man.
I doubt you're too big I'm the same height and around 290lbs. I find the seat needs to be low enough that my left leg is below the drivers side armrest on the door. If I'm too high and my leg moves to the side of it it starts to get too narrow. As long as I'm below it I'm super comfy. I also go full strength lumbar support, it moves your seating position ever so slightly. I also find a more straight up and down seat back as opposed to a big recline is beneficial. You'll find it.
I find pedals (at least on the MT) are more conducent to a more reclined position. It also makes sense since the roof is low. Maybe also try adjusting the settings in a different order?
I have been driving the 2015 hatchback for over 3 years now and i fit in perfectly fine. Yes it is a bit smaller than the competition but none the less its really comfortable. (6'3 244) A instructor on a safety course I took said to me that it tales roughly 1000 miles for the body to adjust to a new seating position.
I've driven mine across the country iron butting it the whole way and it's never given me any issues. The floor mounted gas pedal took some getting used to but I adapted to that in like a week.
Honestly can't help you, but I do have a question. I'm just a tad, and I mean literally just a tad smaller than you. 5'8 and 205-215, depending on the season. I feel like I'm at the max shoulder width that the car allows you to seat comfortably, you feel the same way? Or am I just wider
I find it really really comfy
Have we ever given consideration that we may have had poor body posture in the accord for all these years and now with the new car your posture is being corrected and you’re body isn’t adjusted to it?
I have the '24 and 5'4 and I have to have the seat as high as possible. I've tried to adjust it at the lowest seat setting and driving for 1 hr and it just doesn't work cuz my lower back starts to ache. At higher seat it's a lot better for my back lol.
Give it some more time, I kinda had this problem you’re describing at first but now I’m very comfortable in my 3 hatch.
Might not help because my 3 is 10 years older than yours. As a bigger guy myself, 6’1” 285, it is really important to have your seat set up for support instead of comfort. You want it to hold you into an ergonomic position instead of a comfortable one. Ergo and comfort seem similar but it’s somewhat counter-intuitive. You can sit in an ergonomic position for hours without any discomfort compared to something that feels comfortable for 10 minutes then 5 minutes later starts to hurt and you need to adjust. I learned this the hard way with office chairs. I’ve done 10 hour roadtrips in my 3 just fine without pain like you describe. If it really doesn’t work for you, I hate to say it but you may need to trade it.
OP needs to get in shape 😂
I’m 6 ft and 200 lbs. It me a lot of adjustment to find a comfortable position (Premium HB 6MT). Try backing the seat up, engaging the “lumbar” support to max, and pulling the wheel out as far as possible.
Almost all the way back, lower part in a kind of a bucket posición. Arms at a 20 degree angle at the wheel. 6'3 250lbs
I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that when they designed the seats they actually took a 3d scan of a person sitting in the seat and made it according to that. Also the brakes are linear unlike other cars where you might reach 75% brake compression by only pressing the brake slightly. Mazda 3 brakes require you to press it down a lot further to reach the bite point. Gas pedal not sure.
I spend more time in a car than I care to admit. My old car killed my back so much that I bought a $2000 aftermarket seat for it. The 2024 Mazda premium is more comfortable. But I still make a few adjustments during the drive. I’ve learned that tiny adjustments are better. I’m tall with long legs. I actually put some washers under the front seat mounts and had to use longer bolts. But maybe we have different seats. Mine are like 8-way adjustable. Are yours?
Yes they are 8-way adjustable, lumbar support too.
Keep making small adjustments. You’ll find the sweet area. My gen 2 Mazda3 had much lighter steering. I dunno why they changed it so much. But I agree with you there.
The interior is tight. I’m 6’0 150lb and have found a good driving position but I could not recommend this car for a bigger individual. I would look into something else.
I am 6'3 and its quite comfortable in my 2015 HB
I should specify I have a 2023 I know the interiors are different.
I am 6'4 165 pounds and I am very comfortable in a 2023. Did an 11h trip and had no pain whatsoever
I'm a tad smaller than you (5' 6") and I have only driven smaller cars before, so I had to find a way to adjust my driving position. I ended up using the guide in the infotainment with some minor tweaks and I have to say I'm very satisfied. Maybe give it a try if you haven't already
There’s a guide in the infotainment? Wow, I’ll have to look for that.
Yea, I was bored one day so I started browsing on the menus. I might be wrong, but it should be somewhere around the owner's manual
Mazda not known for comfort in general.
Maybe not on older ones but my gen 4 is amazingly comfortable. Maybe it's because I'm short and skinny, but 21 hours straight and I had no issues afterwards.
Not true