2008 Mazda MAZDA3

Arrange a test drive, get free price quotes, or read local dealer ratings for 2008 Mazda MAZDA3:

By  Rex Roy, Editor

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport *Ltd Avail*
Enlarge Photo

 2008 MAZDA 3 STYLING | [8 out of 10]

Edmunds: "the 2008 Mazda 3 doesn't look, feel or drive like an economy car"
ConsumerGuide: "MazdaSpeeds include specific styling touches"
Kelley Blue Book: "The 2008 Mazda MAZDA 3 is available in two body styles"

The 2008 Mazda 3 is aging gracefully; its sharp, sporty looks are still popular among buyers, and the hatchback is especially utilitarian.

If you're interested in the Mazda 3, 2008 versions are available in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback that looks more like a wagon. Introduced in 2004 by Mazda, 2008 Mazda 3s are "distinguished by taut, chiseled styling that hint at the car's athletic personality," writes Edmunds. They add, "A sign of a great design is typically one that doesn't require a sizable midlife refresh...only miniscule changes have been made to the 3 over the years." Various reviews read by TheCarConnection.com heap praise on the styling of the Mazda 3; 2008 models "have enough style to sit beside an Audi A3 and look right at home," says Kelley Blue Book. They note, "A new front end features a revised grille and headlamp treatment with a large rectangular air intake." Depending on the trim offered by Mazda, 2008 3s are equipped with either 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels.

The praise for the exterior design carries over to the interior's styling, too. Edmunds says the 2008 Mazda 3 has "a handsome interior that hints at the car's athletic personality," while Touring and Grand Touring trims "feature a distinctive and upscale interior design that looks far richer than its price would suggest." Kelley Blue Book has similar feelings: "You can shop this segment until the cows come home and not find as handsome an interior is in the 2008 Mazda [3]...A racy three-pod instrument cluster [and] red dash lighting...make the MAZDA 3 feel like a high-priced sports sedan." ConsumerGuide isn't as lavish with the praise and writes of Mazda 2008 3, "The cabin décor tries to go for a sporty, upscale look, but it falls short...The plastic-looking woven inserts on the door panels and seats are unimpressive."

Conclusion: Buyers seeking a sporty, economical car that has the looks to compete with more expensive sport sedans would do well to check out the 2008 Mazda 3.

2008 MAZDA 3 PERFORMANCE | [8 out of 10]

Autoblog: "a big-time favorite of tuners and enthusiasts"
ConsumerGuide: "The i sedans are OK around town but lack midrange punch"
Edmunds: "the Mazda 3 tends to drive like a much more expensive sport sedan"
Motor Trend: "Always impressed by the dynamics"

The 2008 Mazda 3, depending on trim, is equipped with a four-cylinder engine, manual or automatic transmission, a firm, sport-oriented suspension, and good brakes.

All Mazda 2008 3 i sedans use a "2-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 148 hp and 135 [pound-feet] of torque, while s models use a 2.3-liter four-cylinder rated at 156 hp and 150 [pound-feet] of torque," reports Edmunds. The MazdaSpeed-edition 3 comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four with 263 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque, and it sprints to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, according to J.D. Power. It comes only with a six-speed manual transmission. ConsumerGuide notes the "Mazdaspeed is very quick, though acceleration is blunted a bit by turbo lag." In their test of a 2008 Mazda 3 Grand Touring sedan with the 2.3 and automatic, Edmunds reports "the Mazda did the 0-60-mph sprint in 8.6 seconds."

For the Mazda 3, 2008 models' availability with either a manual or automatic transmission is a feather in their cap. "Both engines come standard with a five-speed manual...A four-speed automatic with [manual mode] is optional on i models," writes Edmunds, "while s models upgrade to a five-speed automatic with [manual mode]." ConsumerGuide thinks the automatic transmissions are "smooth and responsive" and feels the manuals have "precise shift and clutch action." But Motor Trend, after their test of a Mazda 2008 3, cautions, "the [auto] tranny did occasionally suffer from 'erratic gear tenacity,' in which it refused to engage a higher or lower cog upon input."

Fuel economy is average for an economy car. Fueleconomy.gov lists the ratings for the 2008 Mazda 3 as follows: 2-liter with the five-speed rates 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway; 2-liter, four-speed auto rates 23/31 mpg; 2.3-liter, five-speed manual rates 22/29 mpg; and the 2.3-liter, five-speed automatic rates 22/29 mpg. The government site calls the turbocharged 2008 Mazda 3 "Speed3" and lists its rating as 18/26 mpg. ConsumerGuide tests a few models of the Mazda 3 and finds that 2008 manual s sedans "averaged 27.1 mpg in mainly highway driving." An s hatchback "averaged 20.8 mpg in mostly city driving, including gas-easting performance runs." A Mazdaspeed "averaged 20.6 mpg." The turbocharged engine requires premium-grade gas, and the others use regular.

Mazda 2008 3s are tuned more for sport handling, and that influences its ride. Edmunds says, "the Mazda 3 tends to drive like a much more expensive sport sedan...thanks to its performance-oriented chassis tuning." ConsumerGuide writes, "All 3s have firm suspensions that show good composure except over large high-speed dips and swells...and is among the best handling compacts." The Mazdaspeed, they note, is "nimble and balanced, helped by precise, linear steering with good road feel." They relate, "Braking on all is stable, but be sure to get ABS." Motor Trend, too, is taken by the 2008 Mazda 3's handling. "Around the skidpad," they contend, "the 3 s Grand Touring runs circles around its competitors...[and] perhaps most impressive is the Mazda's 60-to-0 mph, which at 112 feet, matches that of the all-new Pontiac G8 GT." Motor Trend sums it up: "Nothing else in this field feels so lively and well-planted -- you can feel the racing DNA in the 3's bones."

Conclusion: The 2008 Mazda 3 rewards drivers looking for sport on a small budget.

2008 MAZDA 3 COMFORT AND QUALITY | [8 out of 10]

Motor Trend: "The seating position is excellent and especially driver-focused"
ConsumerGuide: "The sedan's trunk is a bit small but useful"
Edmunds: "luxury features and ambiance at a budget price"

Reviewers mostly like the interior packaging of the Mazda 3; 2008 models have good room for a compact car and the hatchbacks are especially versatile.

For front seat occupants of the Mazda, 2008 3s have "good legroom [and] headroom, even below the sunroof housing," commends ConsumerGuide, which adds, "MazdaSpeed has particularly well-bolstered sport buckets." 2008 Mazda 3s have standard tilt and telescoping steering wheels, a rare feature at this price point. Edmunds notes, "Even taller drivers will find plenty of room in this compact car's front seat."

It's a different story in the 2008 Mazda 3's rear. Edmunds says, "The rear seat is a little snug for larger adults, but those of average height will find a decent amount of space." All Mazda 3s have a 60/40-split rear seat with center armrest. ConsumerGuide reveals, "Legroom is especially tight with the front seats far back. Headroom [is] ample in hatchbacks, only OK for taller folk in sedans."

There is some confusion among reviews read by TheCarConnection.com regarding cargo space in the Mazda. 2008 3 sedans "offer 11.4 cu ft of trunk space, while the hatchback boasts 31 when [the seats] are folded," claims Edmunds. On the other hand, J.D. Power states "Mazda 3 sedans have 11.5 cu ft, while hatchbacks offer 43.8 cu ft with their rear seats folded down." A visit to a dealer to see the cargo space in person will give you a better impression of the available room. Nevertheless, the 2008 Mazda 3 hatchbacks are "more versatile [and] include a handy cargo organizer. The hatchbacks' liftgate rises high enough to clear the heads of taller [people]," writes ConsumerGuide. They do caution, however, "Its handle is in an awkward position that makes it difficult to open without hands scraping the top of the rear bumper." Finally, they add, "Interior storage is good, highlighted by an extra-large glovebox."

2008 Mazda 3s have "solid build quality" (ConsumerGuide) and "an upscale interior [that] looks far richer than its price would suggest" (Edmunds). Motor Trend feels the interior detailing is "posh and stylish" and "all the controls have seemingly graduated from ergonomics school with honors," but ConsumerGuide thinks the Mazda 3 2008 "falls short in several areas." One is "the plastic-looking woven inserts on the door panels and seats." Another shortcoming is that there's "very few soft-touch surfaces."

"Road noise is noticed more in hatchbacks than sedans, but isn't intrusive for the class," attests ConsumerGuide. They add of the Mazda 2008 3, "Engines get loud at full throttle and aren't that quiet in gentle cruising...MazdaSpeed's low-profile tires and sporty exhaust note generate more ruckus."

Conclusion: Front-row riders get the most room in the 2008 Mazda 3, while the rear row suffers somewhat.

2008 MAZDA 3 SAFETY | [7 out of 10]

NHTSA: Sedans: four stars, front impact protection; three stars, side impact protection; four stars, rollover resistance. Hatchbacks: four stars, front; not tested, side; four stars, rollover resistance.
IIHS: "Good," frontal offset; "poor," side impact (without airbags); "marginal," rear crash protection
Edmunds: "One must typically go to upper trims or pay extra to get the latest safety features."

2008 Mazda 3s without side airbags fare poorly in side impacts. Standard safety features vary among the Mazda 2008 trim levels, and many popular ones that are not standard are available as extra-cost options.

Edmunds notes that standard on all 2008 Mazda 3s are "four-wheel disc brakes," and "ABS, front side and curtain side airbags are optional on the i trims and standard for everything else." They add that on the Mazda 3 2008, only Sport models have "available stability control." "Only Sport models" receive standard front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and ABS with brake assist, according to J.D. Power. They list standard features on all Mazda 2008 3s as dual front airbags and a tire pressure monitor, and claim that the s Touring and Grand Touring models have traction control and electronic stability control.

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) frontal-impact crash tests, the 2008 Mazda 3 scored four (out of five) stars; in side-impact tests, it received three stars; and in rollover resistance tests, it received four stars.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tested a 2008 Mazda 3 without side airbags, and the results of the test were striking. While it received a "good" rating for the front offset impact test, it received only "poor"--the lowest rating--for the side impact test. Also tested was the Mazda 3 2008's rear crash protection, where it earned a "marginal" rating.

Visibility is good in the Mazda 2008 3. With its short hood and ample glass, drivers can see well. Only in the hatchback will the C-pillars "cause some blind spots," notes Motor Trend.

Conclusion: With most manufacturers including side airbags as standard, one has to wonder why some 2008 Mazda 3s are offered without them.

2008 MAZDA 3 FEATURES | [8 out of 10]

ConsumerGuide: "MazdaSpeeds include limited-slip differential"
Autoblog: "Touring Value edition offers features that in the past were only offered with much pricier models"
Edmunds: "five trim levels available for the sedan"

Mazda 2008 3s offer a wide range of body styles, trims, and features to fit most any budget.

According to Edmunds, "There are five trim levels available for the [2008 Mazda 3] sedan: i Sport, i Touring, s Sport, s Touring and s Grand Touring." Confused yet? "The hatchback/wagon comes only in the s trims," they add.

According to J.D. Power, the Mazda 3 2008 i Sport comes standard with "a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls; cloth upholstery; split folding rear seat; AM/FM/CD stereo; auxiliary input jack; outside-temperature indicator; theft-deterrent system; and P195/65R15 tires on steel wheels." The Touring trim of the Mazda 2008 3 i "adds air conditioning; cruise control; interior air filter; driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment; power windows, mirrors and door locks; remote keyless entry; and P205/55R16 tires on aluminum wheels."

Moving up to the s models, says Kelley Blue Book, brings "a 2.3-liter engine, air conditioning, illuminated remote keyless entry, fog lights, dual power mirrors, power locks, power windows, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and 17-inch alloy wheels." J.D. Power also notes fog lights on the Mazda 2008 3 s Sport and says the "s Sport hatchback also has a rear cargo cover, rear spoiler and P205/50R17 tires."

Kelley Blue Book reports that all 2.3-liter 2008 Mazda 3s have "Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control as standard equipment." Of the Touring versions of the Mazda 3 2008, the s Touring "gets the P205/50R17 tires as well as traction control and anti-skid control, while the top-line s Grand Touring provides leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers and Xenon automatic headlights," according to J.D. Power.

Finally, "MazdaSpeed3 Sport has s Touring equipment, plus a limited-slip front differential, upgraded brakes, sport suspension and P215/45R18 tires. To this the MazdaSpeed3 Grand Touring adds automatic climate control; leather upholstery; Bose AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer; trip computer; rain sensing wipers; and Xenon automatic headlights," says J.D. Power.

"Available options include a sunroof, DVD-based navigation system, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, and remote engine starting," says Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book points out the "navigation unit is an unheard-of feature in a car in this price range."

Conclusion: Have some aspirin handy when deciding which 2008 Mazda 3 you want because computing the choices will give you a headache.