3 door versus 5 door? Confused!

Just had a thought and I was wondering if anyone could help me! When manufacturers make a 3 door car, the front doors seem longer than in the 5 door version but I am wondering whether the distance between the front seats and the windscreen is still the same??

But then again their will always be less rear space?

3 door (coupe)

5 door

Reply 1

InArduisFouette

21

unless it;s a car where the entire shell is different between 3 and 5 doors ( e.g. current Corsas) the general rule is the seats are in the same places , the doors of a 3 door are longer to aid access to the rear seats...

Reply 2

Kevmeister

9

OP, as said above they're generally the same size, but the A3 is different. The 5 door is slightly bigger than the 3 door, I think by about 8cm or thereabouts. The doors on a 3 door are longer to aid access to the rear seats but space is generally the same, I think the extra length in the A3 is for bootspace but I'm not too sure.

Reply 3

HJV

16

Cover Drive

JI am wondering whether the distance between the front seats and the windscreen is still the same??

There's a lever that lets you move the seat backwards and forwards thus enabling you to change the distance between the front seats and the windscreen. :wink:

Cover Drive

But then again their will always be less rear space?

You'll have to compare the length of the two models. Generally the seat space is the same if the wheelbase is the same, but not always.

For most cars, there are pictures showing the interior dimensions. Try comparing these.

Reply 4

Samalama

Cover Drive

Just had a thought and I was wondering if anyone could help me! When manufacturers make a 3 door car, the front doors seem longer than in the 5 door version but I am wondering whether the distance between the front seats and the windscreen is still the same??

But then again their will always be less rear space?

The 3-door is essentially the same car just a few inches shorter and obviously, missing 2 doors. The front doors are lengthened to make it easier for those getting the back. The only thing that really changes is the back half of the car. The dash and detailing (provided you get the same model specs) will be the same and also the front seats (but obviously they have a fold-down mechanism in the 3-doors).

To answer your question: Yes, the distance will remain the same and yes, you will lose rear leg space.

Reply 5

Cover Drive

OP

HJV

There's a lever that lets you move the seat backwards and forwards thus enabling you to change the distance between the front seats and the windscreen. :wink:

Ok fair enough, if you push the seat as back as it goes, the distance from that to the windscreen :wink:

Reply 6

Cover Drive

OP

zippyRN

unless it;s a car where the entire shell is different between 3 and 5 doors ( e.g. current Corsas) the general rule is the seats are in the same places , the doors of a 3 door are longer to aid access to the rear seats...

Thanks

Reply 7

Samalama

P.S I actually think the 5 door of that car looks better lol. *shrugs*

Reply 8

Cover Drive

OP

Samalama

The 3-door is essentially the same car just a few inches shorter and obviously, missing 2 doors. The front doors are lengthened to make it easier for those getting the back. The only thing that really changes is the back half of the car. The dash and detailing (provided you get the same model specs) will be the same and also the front seats (but obviously they have a fold-down mechanism in the 3-doors).

To answer your question: Yes, the distance will remain the same and yes, you will lose rear leg space.

Very informative reply. Yes I was thinking of getting a A3 3 door (not the new shape lol) but was wondering if friends would have enough space at the back.

Reply 9

Cover Drive

OP

Samalama

P.S I actually think the 5 door of that car looks better lol. *shrugs*

I sometimes feel that to be honest with certain models, the 5 door can look more compact :smile:

In the new Astra the 3 door looks much better IMO.

Reply 10

Samalama

Cover Drive

Very informative reply. Yes I was thinking of getting a A3 3 door (not the new shape lol) but was wondering if friends would have enough space at the back.

Yeah looking back on it I may have written too much! haha.

Cover Drive

I sometimes feel that to be honest with certain models, the 5 door can look more compact :smile:

In the new Astra the 3 door looks much better IMO.

Yeah I think so as well mate. I'm getting the new Ibiza on Thursday and it's a 3 door. Tbh, after my old fiesta (which is a 5-door), the Ibiza has double the space. Only thing that annoys me about 3-doors are the back windows. Then again, that's what air-con's for :wink:

.

Reply 11

Cover Drive

OP

Samalama

I'm getting the new Ibiza on Thursday and it's a 3 door. Tbh, after my old fiesta (which is a 5-door), the Ibiza has double the space. Only thing that annoys me about 3-doors are the back windows. Then again, that's what air-con's for :wink:

That new Ibiza looks pretty smart! Yeah some 3 doors can have more space than you think. I guess I'll need to check out the A3 before passing judgement. My mate had a 2 door BMW, I am pretty sure the back windows always open? His back windows used to "open out" and in my friends mercedes they actually "go down" like normal windows.

Currently none of my close friends want me to get the A3.They don't like the shape of these hatches. They want a saloon A4 type of car!

Reply 12

Samalama

Cover Drive

That new Ibiza looks pretty smart! Yeah some 3 doors can have more space than you think. I guess I'll need to check out the A3 before passing judgement. My mate had a 2 door BMW, I am pretty sure the back windows always open? His back windows used to "open out" and in my friends mercedes they actually "go down" like normal windows.

Currently none of my close friends want me to get the A3.They don't like the shape of these hatches. They want a saloon A4 type of car!

Yeah they open like the back of people carrier windows but that's it :p:

.

I personally think the A3 is a very nice looking car, I guess it doesn't matter seeing as you'll be driving... your mates will have to make do with the back haha.

Reply 13

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper

19

zippyRN

unless it;s a car where the entire shell is different between 3 and 5 doors ( e.g. current Corsas) the general rule is the seats are in the same places , the doors of a 3 door are longer to aid access to the rear seats...

This

Reply 14

Vauxhall vivaro

Is a tailgate door the same size on a 3door and 5door fiesta bought a replacement for my 2006 fiesta 5door and it won't fit we think it's off a 3door but who we bought it off say there's no difference?