The 2009 MAZDA3 has been a focal point for enthusiasts and the automotive press. The popular and highly praised MAZDA3 is the styling and performance leader for the entire compact sedan/hatchback class, so all eyes are peeled and the adrenaline is pumping. Can you hear it? Zooom…zoom…zoom…
Mazda has released the pricing for the freshened 2009 MAZDA3, and they’re still being coy about an exact arrival date. Should be soon though since we know the MSRPs! The 2009 MAZDA3 starts at $13,895 for the i Sport M/T and goes up to $21,145 for the s Grand Touring A/T model. The 2009 MAZDA3 i Touring Value comes equipped with ABS, side-impact airbags, side air curtains, 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, color-keyed grille bar and other options and is priced from $16,595 for the five-speed M/T and $17,495 for the four-speed A/T.
We do have word that the 2009 MAZDA3 has received a mild facelift to keep pace with the Mazda overall styling scheme as embodied in the 2009 MAZDA6. The new look will be dominated by a stronger front end with a distinctive five-point grille in the shape of a shield, fluid panels and a longer wheelbase with shorter overhangs.
In the eyes of automotive writers, the MAZDA3 is an icon and a legend in its own time. For example, when Edmunds.com named the MAZDA3 to its “2008 Inside Line Editor’s Most Wanted” list, they said, "The MAZDA3 does everything — and we mean everything — better than its competition. In fact, its acceleration, handling, build quality, feature content, interior design and styling are on par with cars that cost $10,000 more. That makes the 3 a tremendous value." One Edmunds.com writer went on to say, "The car has more style, passion and functionality than either the Honda or Toyota offering. The interior layout manages to impart both a premium and performance theme, despite the car's low price tag, and the seat comfort is among the best I've experienced in a sub-$20,000 vehicle."
The MAZDA3 is available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. While the sedan features two available trims, the i and s models, the hatchback comes as an s model and the ultra-performance MAZDASPEED3.
Speaking of performance, you don’t often hear an economy car praised for its power and responsive handling, but that is exactly how the automotive press approaches the MAZDA3. Test drivers find that the MAZDA3 i model's 2.0-liter is completely capable and frugal with fuel, but, understandably, prefer the 2.3-liter s model's engine for its surprising power and pickup. Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) explains, "The base 2.0-liter engine works just fine in this car when competing with similarly-sized engines from Ford, Toyota, Honda and Kia. Performance driving is more enjoyable with the larger 2.3-liter engine, which offers more low-end torque." Edmunds.com agrees, saying, "Both of these engines are smooth and punchy and provide the 3 with plenty of giddy-up - particularly with the larger 2.3-liter."
Reviewers celebrate the handling prowess of the MAZDA3 and marvel at this car’s ability to soak up bumps without transmitting noise, vibration and harshness into the cabin. Again, Kelley Blue Book speaks for the press when they say, “We found the MAZDA3's handling to be simply superb with incredibly tight steering that responds instantaneously to input." Edmunds.com seconds the motion. “Thanks to its performance-oriented chassis tuning, the 3 rewards the driving enthusiast with quick and communicative steering, a lack of discernible body roll and lots of grip on twisty blacktop." The Auto Channel sums things up nicely noting, "The MAZDA3 is one of the best all-around small sedans made because of its suspension tuning. Run it hard into a corner, and it sticks very well, thank you, and is great fun to drive. It's also more comfortable than any small sports sedan I can think of, or any other small car in its class or even a class above."
The MAZDA3 love affair continues inside its attractive cabin. Reviewers rave about its comfortable seats, generous cargo space and expensive feel. Typical of their comments, the reviewers at Edmunds.com said, "Especially in s Touring and s Grand Touring forms, the MAZDA3 features a distinctive and upscale interior design that looks far richer than its price would suggest. Controls are straightforward and work with precise action while high-grade materials and tight build tolerances further the initial sense of impressive quality." According to MSN.com, “The driver's seat is supportive and has a manual height adjustment. Rear legroom behind a front passenger is fine for a six-footer, and the rear windows go down all the way." NewCarTestDrive.com goes further with its assessment of comfort. "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. These are the kind of seats that will help you rack up a thousand miles of driving in a day."
Reviewers are also quick to point out the overall value of the MAZDA3 with Edmunds.com noting the car "comes very well equipped, particularly on the s models, as the s Touring and s Grand Touring trim levels come standard or can be equipped with features like...heated leather seats, automatic climate control, moonroof, satellite radio, Bose stereo with in-dash CD changer and a navigation system. Any one of these features would be considered noteworthy in this class of sedan, let alone all of them together." Kelley Blue Book said, "The MAZDA3's optional DVD-based navigation unit is an unheard-of feature in a car in this price range." As for carrying capacity, the MAZDA3 is quite a handy vehicle. The MAZDA3 sedan offers 11.5 cubic feet of cargo space, and the roomier hatchback offers 17.1 to 43.8 cubic feet, depending on the position of its folding rear seats. That’s as good as many compact wagons!
Isn’t it about time you owned a car as versatile and capable as the MAZDA3?
