2011 Mazda MAZDA3

View Our New Mazda2 Inventory!

While the Mazda3 was redesigned last year for 2010, the 2011 model gets an electronic stability system standard on all models. Beyond that, Mazda makes mostly minor changes to option packages after the 2010 redesign. The Mazda3 is known as an attractive, premium small car at a reasonable price. If you're looking for a small car that offers a fun driving experience, be sure to put the Mazda3 on your shopping list. The 2011 Mazda3 benefits from several architectural enhancements designed to make the structure stiffer. The result is a sporty car that feels firm and composed on the road, with moderate lean in turns. The steering is sharp and precise, and the brakes provide a linear pedal feel. The Mazda 3, launched six years ago and just recently redesigned, continues a trend of impressive performance, and with a fresh, modern body design, it has the style to match. Of course, the Mazda 3 still provides suitable levels of economy and practicality, too. Even the base Mazda 3 comes with a refined engine and a surprisingly sophisticated suspension and interior, and higher trims offer more zip and plenty of useful convenience and luxury-oriented features.

Mazda3 Power and Drive

For power, Mazda 3i models come with a 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Mazda 3s models trade a 156-hp, 2.3-liter four-cylinder for a new 167-hp, 2.5-liter four. Mazda 3i models are offered with a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic with manual shift capability; s models get the five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. The Mazda 3 is a fine handling vehicle. The feel is firm and composed, with moderate lean in turns. The steering is sharp and precise, and the driver feels connected to the road.

Design of the 2011 Mazda3

The 2011 Mazda3's exterior styling builds on its predecessor's athletic proportions by emphasizing design features.  At the same time it is an evolution of the last model and is quite attractive. The grille is flanked by a pair of angled headlights that wrap around to the sides. Fog lights are found in prominent flared pods that fill out the front end and also help improve aerodynamics. Mazda3 is based on a premium Volvo-sourced platform. That platform worked quite well in the last (pre-2010) car, so Mazda stuck with that winning formula but tweaked it to make it lighter and stiffer. This was accomplished by using more high-tensile strength steel and thicker steel in key locations, adding gussets to areas such as the suspension mounting points, and employing a technique called weld-bonding to strengthen areas such as the door apertures. Weld bonding, which combines spot welding with the use of structural adhesive, enhances the unibody's flex resistance. The result is an even better handling car.

'11 Mazda3 Cabin

The previous Mazda3's cabin was starting to show its age, but the redesigned interior for 2010 features significant revisions that result in a contemporary cabin. The gauges have red illumination, and there's a dash-top screen that shows radio and air-conditioning settings. With the optional navigation system, the Mazda3 gets another screen for map information. The navigation system is operated by a cluster of buttons on the right side of the steering wheel. In the sedan, the trunk has 11.8 cubic feet of space. The hatchback has 17 cubic feet of space, and that can be expanded considerably with the seats down. Given the hatchback's sportier character, better looks, and more useful interior space, it's our choice between the two body styles. Small items storage is plentiful, with a nicely sized center console bin, an average-size glovebox, and two cupholders behind the shifter. The look and feel of the dash would be appropriate in an entry-level luxury car. The dash is made of a nicely grained soft-touch material, the plastics that are used are sturdy and attractive, and s Sport and Grand Touring models get electroluminescent gauges with red numbers on a black background.

Mazda3 Lineup for 2011

The base-level Mazda 3i SV comes with cloth upholstery, power mirrors, power windows, reclining front bucket seats, tilt/telescoping steering column, 60/40 split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD stereo with four speakers, auxiliary audio input jack, and P205/55R16 tires on steel wheels. It is offered only with a manual transmission. The Mazda 3i Sport adds air conditioning, an outside temperature display and an available automatic transmission.

The Mazda 3i Touring model adds power door locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control, two additional speakers, a Bluetooth hands-free cell phone link, steering wheel audio and Bluetooth controls, traction control, electronic stability control, and alloy wheels.

The Mazda 3s models get a unique front fascia, sport seats, electroluminescent gauges, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, front center console, Mazda's new Multi-Information Display, an iPod adapter, fog lights, rear lip spoiler, and P205/50R17 tires. The s Grand Touring adds dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery, eight-way power driver's seat with memory, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, LED taillights, and heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals.

Conclusions

The Mazda3 was redesigned for the first time in 2010, and it's offered in sedan or four-door hatchback models. Its styling is even more curvy than the previous model, and it features a large grille that makes it appear as if the car is smiling. Competitors include the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Nissan Sentra. Safety features standard on all Mazda3 models include dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, active front head restraints, tire-pressure monitor, and anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution. As mentioned above, traction control and electronic stability control are standard on the Mazda 3i Touring and all s models. The 2010 Mazda 3 is a premium car in a compact package. The Mazda3 is available as a four-door sedan or four-door hatchback, and offers comfort and luxury features we're not used to seeing in a small car. For the latest updates on this 'fun-to-drive' vehicle, visit the official Mazda MAZDA3 site.