Mazda MAZDA3 Review

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 s Touring Sedan Shown

There's a reason why the Mazda 3 has been a perennial winner of Edmunds.com's Most Wanted Sedan or Wagon. No other car in the segment provides as much performance and driving fun for the money. Even the base Mazda 3 comes with a stout engine and a surprisingly sophisticated suspension and interior. But since even the entry-level car has been tuned toward the zoom-zoom side, some buyers might find the Mazda 3's ride a bit too firm -- a small compromise for the car's impressive handling characteristics.

Mazda has a tradition of building zippy and fun compact cars. Its previous entry-level model, the Protege, was known for its exceptional chassis and superb handling. The Mazda 3, launched for the 2004 model year, continues that trend of impressive performance, and with a fresh modern body design, it has the style to match. Those on a tight budget who consider driving a favorite pastime should consider the Mazda 3, whether shopping new or used.

Current Mazda 3

The current Mazda 3 is available in two body styles: a sedan or a four-door hatchback. The sedan is offered in five trim levels. There are two base "i" trims (i Sport and i Touring) and three upgraded "s" trims (s Sport, s Touring and s Grand Touring). The hatchback comes only in the three s trims. Front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are now standard on all s trim levels.

The various trims provide a wide range of features and amenities, but mechanically, all the i trims are similar, and all the s trims are similar. The two i trim sedans come with a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The s trims get a more powerful 2.3-liter four-cylinder that puts out 156 hp. Both power plants come standard with a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed (i trim) or five-speed (s trim) automatic transmission is available as an option.

While most economy cars have little in the manner of interior aesthetics, the cabin in the Mazda 3 shows an impressive attention to detail. The controls are intuitive and neatly arranged. There is also more room inside the Mazda 3 than you would expect. Even taller folks will be comfortable up front, and the driver will appreciate the standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. For those under 6 feet tall, the rear seat should prove accommodating, thanks to its well-shaped and supportive design. Passengers taller than that will feel pinched for legroom, however. The hatchback offers more cargo area in back than the sedan's trunk. And the rear seats in the hatchback fold down 60/40 to nearly double the amount of cargo room.

In road tests and comparison tests, we found the Mazda 3 offers a superb driving experience. "The Mazda 3's strong suit is value-minded performance," said one of our editors. The steering is tight, the braking is excellent and it handles more like a sports car than an econobox. Both engines have good power, though the bigger 2.3-liter engine is peppier and accelerates more quickly from a standstill. The few minor gripes involved engine noise and the Mazda 3's firm ride.

Although the Mazda 3 is still in its first generation, there have been a few minor changes to the compact since its launch that used-vehicle buyers should be aware of. From 2004-'05, the 2.0-liter engine didn't have variable valve timing, and the five-speed automatic transmission was not available with the 2.3-liter engine. Mazda has also expanded the number of trim levels from the initial three when the Mazda 3 was launched. In 2005, Mazda released a SP23 Special Edition as a top-of-the-line trim for both body styles. For 2008, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags became standard on all s trim levels.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.