2009 Mazda 3 Review

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The Mazda3 comes in a broad array of body styles, engines, and trim levels. The Mazda 3i is powered by a 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; the Mazda 3s packs a 156-hp, 2.3-liter four-cylinder. The Mazda 3i is available only as a four-door sedan, whereas the Mazda3s comes as a sedan and five-door hatchback. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models; a four-speed automatic is optional ($900) on 3i, while 3s offers a five-speed automatic ($950).

The base-level Mazda3i Sport ($14,490) 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. All-season 195/65HR15 tires mount on steel wheels. Air conditioning is optional ($880) and includes an outside temperature display.

Mazda3i Touring Value ($16,895) 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 ($17,835) 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 oddly downsize to 205/55HR16 on 16-inch alloy wheels. The 3s Sport hatchback ($18,325) is similarly equipped, plus a rear wiper, cargo management system, side-sill extensions, and a roof-top spoiler and aerodynamic antenna; it keeps the Value model?s 17-inch rims.

Mazda3s Touring sedan and hatchback share a price ($18,825) and add electronic stability control and traction control. Also, the sedan gets the same side-sill extensions and 17-inch wheels and tires as the hatchback.

Mazda3s Grand Touring sedan and hatchback ($20,595) add 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, automatic climate control, a trip computer, clear-lens LED taillights, and a theft-deterrent system.

Options include a power glass sunroof bundled with a 6CD changer ($890) on all but 3i Sport; on Grand Touring models the package also includes a Bose sound system and costs more ($1335). Grand Touring models offer Navigation bundled with Sirius Satellite Radio ($1950). A long list of extras, including the CD changer ($500) and Sirius radio ($430), can also be installed as dealer accessories.

The Mazdaspeed3 Sport hatchback ($22,740) comes with a 263-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4, six-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, sport seats with unique red-and-black cloth interior trim, aluminum pedals, automatic climate control, appropriately stiffer suspension tuning, and 215/45YR18 summer tires. Otherwise it is equipped similarly to the Touring models. A Grand Touring version ($24,455) adds leather interior, Bose premium audio with in-dash 6CD changer, rain-sensing wipers, trip computer, high-intensity headlights, LED taillights, and theft deterrence. The only significant factory option is the navigation/Sirius package ($1950), although again, dealer-installed accessories are available.

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.


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