- 111,811
- Taylor, TX
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- autoshopper.com
2009 mazda mazda3 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Premium comfort in a compact package. introductionthe mazda 3 is space-efficient and exciting to drive, practical and economical, and it's available with a surprising list of comfort and luxury features. the mazda 3, or mazda3, was developed on three continents, by mazda, volvo, and ford, and mazda did all the final tuning at its test track in japan. this is a premium automobile, exciting to drive, styled adventurously, and fully equipped with luxury features. There's nothing austere, basic or cheap about it. The seats are supportive and comfortable, good for long drives. sedan and hatchback versions look quite different. The five-door hatchback is like the high-fashion station wagons from european manufacturers, offering the practicality of the five-door configuration with an emphasis on a premium driving experience. The mazda3 is a good choice for drivers who have friends or lots of stuff: the sedan and hatchback excel at back-seat roominess when compared with the honda civic and other competition, and the hatchback excels at cargo space. there's a high-performance version called mazdaspeed3, motivated by 263 turbocharged horsepower. the mazda3 was launched as a 2004 model, then extensively updated and upgraded for 2007, with a revised appearance inside and out. The 2009 (and mid-2008) models get feature upgrades. The interiors are freshened, with piano black rather than woodgrain trim (with increasing amounts of it on higher-line models). New for 2009 is a remote trunk release. All-season 195/65hr15 tires mount on steel wheels. 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. 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. 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. The designers worked hard to give this car the kind of character that will set it apart from other compact cars, and the result is a surprisingly bold look. The whole front fascia is unique, and the rear taillights and chrome exhaust tips set it apart as well. Big 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels clearly identify this as a high-performance car. interiorwhen it comes to compact cars, the game is all about space efficiency. The mazda and the honda are close in front-seat room, with mazda providing a bit less leg room but a bit more width. In the rear seat, however, the mazda is significantly larger, most notably in leg room and shoulder room. The back of the rear seat doesn't quite fold flat, but it's close. Thanks to this design, the mazda3 five-door will accommodate 43. 8 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats when the second seat is folded down. the mazda3 seats themselves are supportive without being confining, and the use of high-quality foam in the bolsters makes them very comfortable during long drives. Every version of the mazda3 except for the entry-level sedan features a height adjuster for the driver's seat, and this works with the standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel to enable a wide range of drivers to get a good fit with the controls. For 2009, new “piano black” trim replaces the woodgrain and brushed aluminum used before. Gauges on i-sedans are now conventional white-on-black, albeit with orange illumination; where s-models still feature electro-luminescent dials, now with red and blue illumination at night. the mazda3 affords plenty of practical storage space, notably a cavernous glovebox. Two cupholders are integrated into the center console, while a small but deep box separates the seats.
Taylor, TXTaylor, TX at autoshopper.com