2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Features Review

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."