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Mazda3 Test drive

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-HOW IT LOOKS

I always loved the design of the Mazda3 hatchback. And I also really like the new design.

Sure, it is not as “pure” as the previous one. But I think it looks really good in real life.

The sedan also looks much better and substantial than the previous rather boring design.

I know lots of people have talked about the “smile” up front, but I don’t mind it.

And my test car came in a rather striking metallic red color. It wouldn’t be my personal choice, but I actually loved it.









-HOW IT IS INSIDE.

I have to say, this is one of my favorite interiors. It looks great and feels very upscale thanks to the high grade plastics used everywhere.

It is very roomy upfront, although not that big out back.

The standard stereo is perfectly fine, and it even comes standard with streaming stereo Bluetooth, so you can listen to the songs from your phone without any wires.

Until the iPod itself comes with Bluetooth.

Even the cloth used in my Sport version looked really nice and never felt or looked cheap. Leather is standard on the Grand Touring.



-HOW IT DRIVES.

-Ride.

The ride is as good as it gets, especially in a car under $20 000. It is a bit firm yet always smooth and comfortable.

-Steering.

The steering is equally pleasant, with great feel and very precise.

It helps make the car a pleasure to drive.

-Engine.

I would say that if there is a weak point, it would be the engine. It has plenty of power, and the car feels really quick, all the time. But it does sound a bit buzy. And not as smooth as some other engines of the same size. It is the same problem I had with the new Mazda6. But I thought it would be more acceptable in the cheaper Mazda3. It is.

But still, for instance, the smaller 2.0 Liter in the Nissan Stanza feels and sounds like a luxury car engine next to it.

That say, it is still fine. Not rough or really noisy in any way. It’s just that in 2009, others do it even better…

In my week drive, I got 21MPG in the City, with a high of 38 on the Freeway.

-Transmission.

The car I drove had the standard 6 speed and it was a pleasure to drive. Very smooth with a very forgiving clutch.

I would actually pick it over the automatic.

-SO….

I think the new Mazda3 is pretty much the best compact you can get in the US. I really do not get anyone who would pick a Corolla over this. Even a Civic, and I do like the Honda.

I’ll take the Mazda’s slightly noisier engine any day to be able to drive that car. Every ride put a smile on my face, and I couldn’t wait to drive it.

That’s what it should be all about. Fun….

Conversation 30 comments

  2. I saw the sedan in person yesterday…the "smile" looks 100% better in person! I just wish they would do away with the red gauges…I can't stand that Pontiac look shining in my face at night.

  7. Sorry, I would never be caught in such a childish looking car. I have seen a few in my area, all being rentals, and they all look terrible. It didn't matter what color they are in.

    They have completely ruined that vehicle with that goofy front end. They are also EXPENSIVE once you get a trim level worth purchasing.

    "Anonymous said…
    They tuned the engines for more bottom end torque so they are going to be a little raspy.

    August 4, 2009 1:14 AM"

    That has NOTHING, and I mean absolutely NOTHING to do with engine NVH.

  8. "Anonymous said…
    what's with the ridiculously small credit-card sized display on the dash?

    August 3, 2009 6:58 PM"

    It gets awful reviews from everyone.

    They say the nav system is completely useless, almost as if it was an afterthought.

  9. That's what it should be all about. Fun….

    And a (4/10) estimated reliability rating.

    Have fun Vince. I'll pass.

  10. Wow, the Nissan Stanza, a car that hasn't been built since 1992, has a better engine than the 2010 Mazda 3? That's not good.

  11. What's with the Honda copying? I hate the "2 tier" dashboard in the Civic and I hate it here to. The center of it reminds me of an Accord. Scatterd with too many little buttons.
    The "smiley face" front is clownish. I use to liked the 3 but now I want to kick it in the grill every time I see one on the road and say "what the hell are you smiling at?"

  12. "…for instance, the smaller 2.0 Liter in the Nissan Stanza feels and sounds like a luxury car engine next to it. "

    A Nissan Stanza? You mean Sentra? I certainly hope not, because that's a terrible car. I haven't driven the new Mazda 3, but the engine is loud in the 05 that my brother has. But for some reason, the engine sound (if not the actual speed) adds to the sporty nature of the car. And I totally agree, I don't know how anyone could pick a Corolla when this is available.

  13. Sorry, yes, I meant the Sentra. Not the Stanza…
    The one I drove was a 2009 and maybe the quietest small car I've driven.
    JD Powers rate all problems with the same importance. Their rating system doesn't make the difference between a sticky radio switch and a bad transmission.
    So a low rating from them doesn't mean the cars are unreliable.
    But a high rating mean these cars have very few problems, of any kind.
    I still would pick having fun driving every day VS. a few small problems once in a while….

  14. i am thinking you meant sentra instead of stanza, that would make more sense.

    ne1butu, apples and oranges. if your borther had an 05, then he had either the previous 1.8 or the previous 2.5L. both engines have been replaced. The 2.0 is a new engine that replaces the 1.8 while the 2.5 is a redesigned 2.5 with virtually all-new "guts" … so not a fair comparison.

    i want to drive one to check it out, the previous mazda3's interior felt a little cheap so would like to see how this one is.

  15. Yeah, this is a clown car.

    I hate the front end, it looks like something a 16 year old girl would drive, not a 40 year old professional adult. If you factor in the price then things get worse. I'll take a Civic with navi which is useable (maybe even the Si) and have a more reliable, more mature vehicle.

    I couldn't imagine driving my coworkers to lunch in something so childish. I might as well show up in one of those Fisher Price cars.

  17. so much hate, thats good. then I will be the only one driving this beautiful car and smile all the way. 😀
    zoooooooooooom zoooooooooooooom!!!

  18. I agree with everyone else about the styling. It is a clown car, something for the children. If you have a serious job, you wouldn't be taken seriously driving this car.

    Mazda's styling is taking a turn for the worse.

  20. I couldn't imagine driving my coworkers to lunch in something so childish.

    That is probably due to having a small penis but treatable with therapy.

    I test drove one of these yesterday evening. Great little car in every way except one…the rear seat is absurdly small and cramped. Deal breaker.

  21. I have had a 2004 for 5 years and love it. No problems with the car whatsoever. I think the new model looks fantastic even with the smile and the interior is even better than the old one which was excellent.

  22. Think they could add maturity so that adults would buy it? It's not like the kids and weaklings have any money.

  24. "Anonymous said…
    so much hate, thats good. then I will be the only one driving this beautiful car and smile all the way. 😀
    zoooooooooooom zoooooooooooooom!!!

    August 5, 2009 3:59 AM"

    Good for you, I actually care about my appearance so I won't be driving one.

    I'm sure you will be successful trolling high school parking lots for underage girls to give rides to. Just don't forget your Hello Kitty plush doll….

  25. The designer had a small penis? How do you know?

    You seem to have a better grasp on the, ahem, subject, so we'll defer to you.

    Design is subjective. We either like something or we don't, but this is a great car in most respects. Cramped back seat? Yes. Well-laid out interior? Sure. Enjoyable to drive? Most certainly.

    Vince had it right when he said it should all be about fun. Perhaps the designers (who I was not referring to earlier) understand and put that smiling face on all Mazda products. With the exception of the Tribute, I've yet to drive a current Mazda model that doesn't make me grin.

  26. "Anonymous said…
    The designer had a small penis? How do you know?

    You seem to have a better grasp on the, ahem, subject, so we'll defer to you.

    Design is subjective. We either like something or we don't, but this is a great car in most respects. Cramped back seat? Yes. Well-laid out interior? Sure. Enjoyable to drive? Most certainly.

    Vince had it right when he said it should all be about fun. Perhaps the designers (who I was not referring to earlier) understand and put that smiling face on all Mazda products. With the exception of the Tribute, I've yet to drive a current Mazda model that doesn't make me grin.

    August 6, 2009 11:43 AM"

    Honestly, for the money you could buy a Civic Si and get a vehicle that is more fun to drive, more practical (back seat has 2x the room), is more reliable, has better resale value, and doesn't make you look like a teenage girl driving it.

    The nav system on the Civic is at least useable and you could probably get one for less money as well.

    Thanks Mazda, you have ruined what once was a decent vehicle.

  29. I think it looks fun and fresh, probably targeted for the college crowd but really lacks the oomph to attract a broader audience. I have a friend with an 06 and for the price it was actually quite nice. Interior materials used seemed kind of cheap, but hey for a 17k car don't expect the best.

  30. The new model looks fantastic even with the smile and the interior is even better than the old one which was excellent.

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