Building on the success of the Protege, the Mazda3 has successfully won the attention of car enthusiasts who are looking for fun performance at a reasonable price. Starting at $17,000 for the base GS model, this car is a benchmark for fun/cost ratio.
The 2008 Mazda3 is available in a 4-door sedan and a 5-door "Sport" hatchback version. Although both types are available in GX, GS, and GT trim levels, the feature set distribution is not the same between the sedan line and the hatchback line. Most distinctively, the GS hatchback and the GS sedan actually have different engines. In the sedan line, the GX and GS trim levels are equipped with the 2.0L, 148-hp/135 lb-ft engine, and the GT model comes with a 2.3L 156-hp/150 lb-ft engine. On the other hand, in the 5-door Sport line the GX model is equipped with the 2.0L engine, while the GS and GT models are equipped with the 2.3L engine.
The review vehicle is a Crystal White Pearl GT sedan with 5-speed Sport mode AT transmission, power moon-roof, and luxury package. The luxury package includes leather seats, a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, automatic climate control, and Xenon HID headlights. The Canadian MSRP for this configuration is $26,940. The base GT model is $22,945.
The Interior
With a fully-loaded GT, the interior space is impressive. The leather seats and the piano-black finish on the centre console panel add a strong accent to the luxurious feel. The gauge display illuminates in red, giving an aggressive and young image. With lights turned on, the gauges become backlit in a shade of blue. The fonts on the gauges are large and clearly legible. My only complaint about the gauge readout is that the speedometer dial is a bit cluttered, especially when you are only looking at the 0-60 km/h part of the dial on city roads.
The steering column is telescopic and can be tilted, so every driver can find a comfortable position. The centre console is not too wide, leaving plenty of legroom for the driver and front seat passenger. This car has a relatively high roof, so the interior cabin space is quite generous. There is a reasonable amount of legroom for the rear seat passengers as well.
The 6-disc CD changer supports playback of .mp3 files on CD-Rs. Alternatively, an 1/8-inch mini stereo AUX input jack is located in the storage compartment under the arm rest, for you to connect your own audio player. The audio system is equipped with a satellite radio receiver. For GT models, the audio system is completed with 6 Bose speakers.
The trunk space is rated at 325 L. Combined with the 60/40 fold-down back seat, the Mazda3 sedan offers very good versatility when it comes to hauling cargo.
The Zoom-Zoom
The ride in the Mazda3 is firm yet lively. The 2.3L engine has enough power to give the car a nice kick when you put your foot on the pedal. The sound of the engine roars without feeling strained as the revs climb. The 5-speed automatic transaxel tightly couples this energy to the wheels, and the suspension keeps the car firmly planted on the road. The smooth delivery of power with control is both exciting and assuring at the same time. Driving casually in the city, the car rolls along with a solid and spirited feeling. The trade-off for this fun factor is the cabin is not the last statement in quietness, and you feel the bumps on the road through the fairly stiff springs.
The 5-speed AT transmission is exclusive to the GT trim level in the sedan line. The shift lever is a common gated-ladder design, with a manual mode that puts total control for gear selection in the driver's hand. Driving in the city in full automode, the transmission takes advantage of the fact that there are five gears available and it shifts up fairly quickly to conserve gas. It will shift from first to second when the engine hits 2000 rpm, and it will reach fourth gear when the car gets to 60 km/h, then further shifts into fifth (overdrive) when you ease off the gas pedal. It does not downshift as aggressively, so at times you may find it lacking power when you step down on the gas pedal. Fortunately, the manual mode alleviates this problem by letting you downshift when you need the power to accelerate. Shifting from first to second gear in manual mode is a little rough once the engine revs past 2500 rpm.
The Electro Hydraulic Power Assist steering feels light, so it is very easy to handle, but it does have a slight sense of disconnect with the wheels.
Stopping power is provided by 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD). To ensure the passengers' safety, the car is equipped with dual front airbags, side airbags, and side curtain airbags
The gas consumption for the GT model with the 2.3L engine and AT transmission is rated at 9.5L/100km in the city and 6.9L/100km on the highway. Cruising at 100 km/h on the highway, the engine hums at an easy 2,400 rpm.
Closing Remarks
The Mazda3 is a fun and lively car, with a price tag that establishes a benchmark for fun/cost ratio. With the driving performance and luxurious interior of the fully loaded GT model, you can't help wanting to compare it with those in the next higher price range. If you are in the market for a car, and a budget of around $25,000, definitely take a look at the three trim levels of Mazda3 sedan and hatchback.
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