2009 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Review

The Mazda3 is a typical Mazda 'fun-to-drive' type of car; it is a practical and economical sports sedan.  The 2009 Mazda3 has a surprising list of features and amenities that come standard. The Mazda3 was developed on three continents, by Mazda, Volvo, and Ford, and Mazda did all the final tuning at its test track in Japan.  The Mazda3 was launched as a 2004 model, then extensively updated and upgraded for 2007, with a revised appearance inside and out. The 2009 models get feature upgrades.  This is a premium automobile, exciting to drive, styled adventurously, and fully equipped with luxury features.  The Mazda3 is a good choice for drivers who need plenty of space as the back-seat area is roomy when compared with the Honda Civic and other competition.  The Mazda3 gets an EPA Fuel Economy of City: 22 - 24 and Highway: 28 - 32.  And considering what it has to offer, the Mazda is affordable with an MSRP of $14,690 - $20,895. Built on the same platform as the Volvo S40, the compact, front-wheel-drive Mazda3 comes in a variety of models including i Sport, i Touring Value, s Sport, s Touring and s Grand Touring. The downsides of the 2009 Mazda3 include poor instrument readability and engine noise on hard acceleration.  Its highlights, on the other hand, include its stylish appearance, steering and handlin g abilities, driving ease, and excellent front seat space.
     

Mazda3 Power

The Mazda 3i is powered by a 148-horsep ower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; the Mazda 3s gets a 156-hp, 2.3-liter four-cylinder. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models; a four-speed automatic is optional on 3i, while 3s offers a five-speed automatic. 

Driving the Mazda3 Sedan

ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist are now standard on all models and the brakes do their job well.  The Mazda3 certainly has better handling credentials than its competition.The 2.0-liter is a good choice if you're concerned largely about fuel economy. The engine itself is great, but the Mazda3 is a little heavy, so you need all the power you can get. The transmission's semi-manual shifting feature gives the driver some flexibility and can be entertaining. The 2.3-liter engine, on the other hand, delivers s ubstantial power over a wide range of rpm. Its tractable mid-range punch helps provide good throttle response without the need to shift gears frequently. This character sets the Mazda 2.3-liter apart from its competition. Both engines in the Mazda3s belong to Mazda's MRZ family, and feature such sophisticated technology as sequential valve timing (S-VT), variable intake system (VIS), and electronic throttle control.

2009 Design

The Mazda3 sedan has the traditional appearance of a four-door, five-passenger car. The designers worked hard to give this car the kind of character that will set it apart from other compact cars, and the result is a surprisingly bold look. A broad palette of color choices further distinguishes the Mazda3 from other compacts. Comparatively upright in profile, the Mazda3 is built with a wide track and a relatively long wheelbase for its size. Sedans get a short but high rear deck. The sedan measures 177.4 inches long and 69.1 inches wide. This places the Mazda3 in the middle of the pack in terms of size compared to its competitors.

Inside the Mazda3

The interior of the 2009 Mazda3s are freshened, with piano black rather than wood grain trim (with increasing amounts of it on higher-line models). Two cupholders are integrated into the center console, while a small but deep box separates the seats. Rear-seat armrests have integrated cupholders.  When it's well-equipped with trim and features, the interior of the Mazda3 looks good, although black interiors seem very dark.  The Mazda3's interior is enhanced by a standard folding 60/40 split back seat, which enables you to increase trunk room for large loads. The back of the rear seat doesn't quite fold flat, but it's close.  The Mazda3 sedan offers 94.3 cubic feet of passenger space, which compares favorably with the Honda Civic sedan's 90.9 cubic feet. In the rear seat the Mazda3 is significantly larger, most notably in leg room and shoulder room, than its competitors. The Civic and Mazda3 are close in trunk volume, with the Mazda rated at 11.5 cubic feet, the Honda 12.0. Up to five people can fit inside the Mazda3, and the steering column tilts and telescopes.  There's 94.3 cubic feet of passenger space in the sedan, which is about 1 cubic foot less than the hatch has.

Lineup for 2009

The base-level Mazda3i Sport comes with manual windows and door locks. It has a tachometer, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, and a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with automatic level control and an iPod-friendly input jack. New for 2009 is a remote trunk release.

Mazda3i Touring Value adds air conditioning, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control, power-adjustable outside mirrors, height-adjustable driver's seat, and an upgraded six-speaker audio system. For 2009, fog lights, a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel (with cruise and audio controls), and a color-keyed grille bar are also standard, along with 205/50VR17 tires on 17-inch alloy rims.

Mazda3s Sport sedan upgrades to the larger engine and to more deluxe upholstery and trim, inside and out. It also adds electroluminescent gauges, lighted vanity mirrors, and variable-intermittent wipers. Tires downsize to 205/55HR16 on 16-inch alloy wheels.

Mazda3s Touring sedan adds electronic stability control and traction control.

Mazda3s Grand Touring sedan adds leather seating, synthetic leather door inners, heated front seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver, HID headlights with automatic on/off, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and automatic climate control.

Summary

The Mazda3 is a practical and sporty sedan that is geared towards those who love to drive. The 2009 Mazda3 is useful, space-efficient, economical and pleasant across a broad range of driving situations. It also has the style, comfort, features, and personality to transform any driving experience into a sporting proposition. Safety features that come on all Mazda3 models include front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side air curtains, an energy-absorbing brake pedal, and a tire-pressure monitor. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist are now standard on all models as well. Electronic stability control and traction control are standard on 3s Touring and Grand Touring. All Mazdas come with a roadside assistance program, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, throughout the United States and Canada. For more specifications, read a Mazda 3 Sedan review by Edmunds.com.