Review
Introduction
The smallest car that Mazda sells in the U.S. is the front-wheel-drive 3. Launched in 2004 and available as a sedan or a five-door hatchback, the Mazda 3 is built on the second-generation European Ford Focus platform; the U.S. Ford Focus uses the first Focus platform. In addition to the 3, the Euro Focus platform also underpins the Volvo C30, S40, and V50. In all iterations, the platform is solid, offers good interior space, and features a relatively sophisticated suspension.
Sportier and more fun to drive than most of its competition, the Mazda 3 is also practical and refined. The interior design, materials, and appointments are a cut above its segment. Similarly, the 3’s handling and ride are among the class leaders. Like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the 3 is a small car that wants to play.
Three engines are offered on the Mazda 3. The base i sedans come equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower. Moving up to the sportier s model yields a larger 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 156 horsepower. At the very top of the lineup is the Mazdaspeed 3 that boasts a turbocharged direct-injection 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 263 horsepower.
Mazda 3 i sedans come in two flavors: Sport and Touring. Sport models are basic, with A/C being optional, but Touring models add such things as aluminum wheels and fog lights. All 3’s have six airbags and anti-lock brakes.
Aside from the larger engine, the s models get more standard equipment. Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are the three trim levels. Touring and Sport come well equipped with power windows and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Touring gets standard stability control and traction control. Grand Touring is the top of the line and gets all the equipment from the Touring trim level and adds a power driver’s seat, xenon headlights, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery.
In a comparison test of six compact cars, the Mazda 3 s Touring finished well, coming in second place behind the Volkswagen Rabbit and ahead of the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, and the Nissan Sentra. The Mazda was praised for its superb interior, its powerful engine, and for being the most sporting of the bunch.
When we last pitted a Mazdaspeed 3 against its competition, the Mazdaspeed triumphed over the Subaru WRX, Volvo C30 T5, and Dodge Caliber SRT4. The result came as no surprise, as the Mazdaspeed 3 is one of our absolute favorites, and a multiple 10Best Cars winner. In an earlier comparison test, the Mazdaspeed 3 vanquished another 10Best winner, the Volkswagen GTI. The Mazdaspeed 3 won kudos for its powerful turbo four-cylinder, willing chassis, and hard-driving character. We did criticize it for excessive torque steer, a product of sending 263 horsepower through the front wheels.
Verdict
The Mazda 3 is a refined small car with a rich interior that behaves like a well-tuned sports sedan. Some of the sportier versions, like the s and the Mazdaspeed 3, may prove to be too extreme for some, but for enthusiasts they will prove satisfying. The 3 offers decent space, plus a fun-to-drive attitude that’s missing from most other cars at its $15K base price. The Mazdaspeed 3 is a staff favorite, having won multiple 10Best awards, and is a performance bargain with a starting point under $24,000.
Click here to read our full review of the Mazda 3.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Mazda 3.
Click here to read our full review of the Mazdaspeed 3.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Mazdaspeed 3.
What’s New for 2009
For 2009, the Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed 3 are largely unchanged except for the extension of standard anti-lock brakes and side- and side-curtain airbags to the entry-level i Sport model.
Highlights and Recommendations
For most buyers, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine of the Mazda 3 i models will provide enough power. For those seeking an excellent balance of fuel economy and speed, the sportier s versions will fit the bill. We particularly like the styling and practicality of the five-door version, which only comes as an s model. We’d go for a five-door s Touring because of its higher level of standard equipment, its relatively affordable price, and its practical packaging.
For all-out performance with a dose of wagon-like practicality, we say opt for the Mazdaspeed 3. Although it isn’t as refined as the Volkswagen GTI, the Mazdaspeed 3 appeals to the 17-year-old hooligan that lives inside all car enthusiasts.
Safety
Dual front airbags, tire-pressure monitoring, front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, and ABS are standard on all Mazda 3’s. Stability control and traction control is standard on s Touring, Grand Touring, and Mazdaspeed 3 models.
